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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..
Beige with Pink "Ribbon Inspired" Necklace Lei- 32"
Inspired by one of our favorite Hawaiian Ribbon Lei designers "Linomelia" we blend Beige, Pearly White and Yellow Picasso Luster Dragon Scales Glass Beads with Pink Berry Glass Beads and Gold Lined to obtain a remarkably similar look but not nearly as ornate - but a truly playful combination. For added effect we positioned the Magatama Beads in various directions for a Hawaiian Lei type look. We hope it recreates their look of ribbons but the overall effect is similar to a Forbidden Island Inspired using glass beads not ocean sea shells.
The dragon scale beads are some of the largest glass beads made by manufacturers in Japan. An acrylic magnet is used to complete the look, and for ease of putting on and removing. This is for ONE NECKLACE only the second and thired are being sold separately. Also the Cranberry and Brown bracelet is sold for $50 and/or can be made to fit your wrist by sending a message.
By weaving over 800 beads in this necklace no two are alike. This statement necklace lei is finished with a magnet end cap that has a strong hold. Our segmented Hawaiian necklace designs are quickly becoming our top seller. This one is our third most popular combination of colors and bead shapes. We make more Kumihimo necklaces than all other vendors anywhere and our inventory grows each day.
Our 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. This beautiful hand-crafted style necklace was made using hundreds of glass beads from around the world that are meticulously loaded onto multiple cords that are then hand woven together on a Japanese Marudai braiding stand (see photo).
Akalei Designs make great gifts for woman, girls, and men! Akalei is the Hawaiian word for "bead reflections" which captures this unique style only available on Maui. We specialize in designing a wide range of modern yet classic Hawaiian looking lei. For customized orders please contact me at info@akaleidesigns.com.
Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese braid making technique that creates beautiful and durable interlaced necklaces and bracelets. This art form goes back hundreds of years as braids were made for use in armor of Samurai warriors. In modern times these braids are used for belts (obijime) 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.
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