Dancing Lady

This is my entry into Bead Dreams 2007, you can view it at the Bead & Button website.

I used Aiko hex and regular shaped seed beads along with Swarovski pearls and crystals in this design. Aiko seed beads are made by the Toho Co. LTD.. The Toho Aiko cylinder beads are 99% perfect. I very rarely have to spend time culling through the beads. I use Aiko cylinder beads exclusively. Bobby Bead is a great source for buying Aiko beads. Please do not confuse the Aiko with the Toho Treasures which are made by Toho but are not as perfect. Treasures are similar to the Miyuki brand Delica beads.

Another great source for buying Aiko beads is Dichroic Beads by Kawahara. Jamie has coated the Aiko beads in a Dichroic coating that is unbelievably beautiful. I have used these beads in many designs and still continue to use them today with my new work. The Dichroic Aiko beads come in Red, Orange, Yellow, Light Green, Emerald and Blue. I used the blue Aiko's in my design called "Blue Sky as Ocean's Blue".

The color palette below.