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Continue ShoppingWe are thrilled to be selling with Lahaina Arts Society 2026. Our shop has a booth located outside the Cannery Mall in Lahaina from 10am to 3pm (please call for dates). Or call to schedule an in-person appointment. We will be teaching throughout the islands with the Hawaii Handweavers Hui, and during the 2026 Gathering hosted by the American Kumihimo Society. 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..
Apricot & Yellow "Beads as Fiber" Necklace - 30"
With this Continuous Beaded Braid we added several accent beads to create a 8" focal drop section. The bright yellow and apricot beads are size 8/0 bead and provide a wonderful Spring feel. The unique braided necklace is made by first loading cords with beads using a "bead spinner," then weaving those cords into a necklace - sometimes called "fiber as beads" or "continuous beaded braids.
The process of creating a Continuous Beaded Braid entails much more than could be imagined. The process begins with loading hundreds of beads onto cords, these are then wound onto bobbins, braided, massaged very carefully, removed from the Marudai braiding stand and finished with end caps. One wrong move and the entire braid crumbles - much like a soufflé. These stunning and comfortable necklaces are made using hundreds or even thousands of glass beads. These are however very stable and are designed to be comfortable to wear.
Akalei is Hawaiian for "bead reflections" which describes this unique necklace lei design style available only here on Maui. We specialize in designing a wide range of modern yet familiar Hawaiian Lei for woman, girls, and men.
Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese braid making technique that results in 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 obijime that are worn as a belt with a kimono.
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.
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