The small rice sized beads (the rizo bead color is Green Travertine) with Brown Picasso glass seed beads create a stunning Hawaiian Lei appearance in this handmade necklace. There are hundreds of beads precisely loaded onto 8 nylon fiber braiding cords that are then woven together in a technique called “Kongo Gumi” or strong braid, with one bead at a time added and snuggled into the design to create this elegant necklace. Imagine threading a grain of rice with a cord, that is the amount of detail required to make these Lilikoi Designs. The necklace is finished with a powerful magnetic brass toned clasp (with extra grooves for a secure hold) for a length of 20”-21" long.
The weaving of beaded braids requires many hours of braiding on a Japanese wooden stand called a “marudai”. These necklaces feel wonderful to wear and require little to almost no care by using a clean dry towel every few months to keep dust free and bright. Due to the durability of the glass beads this necklace will last for years. You can also mix and match with different lengths of similar Lei or try the Forbidden Island inspired necklaces in that collection (see sample photo in this item).
* Colors of beads may vary slightly due to changes in factory shipments.
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.