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Continue ShoppingWe sell our products with Lahaina Arts Society on a regular basis.This allows West Side visitors or residents a chance to shop at our booth located outside the Cannery Mall in Lahaina from 10am to 3pm). We are on Summer Holiday for July 2026 but are open for in-person appointment at the Kihei Condo/Shop. In 2026 we are teaching with the American Kumihimo Society (Sept 23-26, 2026) https://amksoc.org/featured-home/gathering-2026-save-the-date/ . Our classes focus on confident beginners and emphasize the blending of Japanese tradition with island inspired Hawaiian necklace lei.
We reimagine traditional Hawaiian Lei to create "Aloha Inspired Forever Lei." Our designs merge an ancient Japanese braiding technique of kumihimo with the beauty of island colors and textures. We showcase our jewelry with the Lahaina Arts Society on Maui's West Side at the Cannery Mall .Check schedules on our website. All of our jewelry is handcrafted exclusively on Maui..
Japanese Metallic Golden Metallic Fiber Necklace- 34" (Edo Yatsu Spirals)
Another extraordinary necklace design inspired by a world renowned Kumihimo author, instructor and inventor/designer Makiko Tada. This "Edo Yatsu" is woven with imported Japanese Green Metallic Fibers with silver thread highlights. Invented by my "Kumu of Kumihimo" Makiko, her unique designs are famous across the globe as she shares new braids and teaches select students in the US every few years.
This necklace is made on the Marudai braiding stand (see photo below) using 16 cords in a unique braiding technique. Each of these Edo Yatsu braids is a one-of-a-kind design. All together there are hundreds of strands that are woven into this Art Jewelry piece, leaving it luxurious yet flexible. The braid can be worn without being itchy and worn with anything. An extra strong dark silver toned acrylic magnet allows you to wear with no worry of it falling off. It measures 33“ yet is amazingly light weight.
Akalei is the Hawaiian word for "bead reflections" which truly describes our unique beaded designs, but these woven fiber styles are very popular internationally. We specialize in designing a wide range of modern yet familiar Hawaiian lei beaded and fiber. For inquiries or custom orders please send us an email to info@akaleidesigns.com.
Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese braid making technique that creates beautiful and strong interlaced cords. This art form goes back hundreds of years as braids were made for use in armor of Japanese samurai warriors. In modern times these braids are designed as belts (obijime) used on kimonos.
It is my goal to provide you with a long lasting, beautiful piece of jewelry that you will enjoy wearing for years to come. I take great care in the construction of my pieces to ensure just that. Please note: colors may slightly differ from their appearance on your display, as it depends on your monitor settings.
Please send me a message with questions or comments.
Thanks for stopping by!
Aloha Aku.
Randy
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