About Masako

Hotaru-Dama beads are handmade glass beads produced in Okinawa, Japan.  Hotaru means firefly.  Dama means ball.  The firefly effect is created by the silver which is embedded within each bead.  The Hotaru-Dama beads are known for their rich deep, blue color, but they come in a few other colors such as pink, red & green.

These rare handcrafted beads with lovely artistic patterns are each individually made in Japan. “Tensha” means to transfer.  To transfer the beautiful artwork, each delicate design is carefully placed on top of a durable acrylic round, then fully lacquered with another layer of crystal-clear acrylic to protect the artwork from abrasion.  Each bead features an intricate decorative pattern of flowers, swirling feathers or other organic nature.

Tombo-Dama beads are Japanese handmade glass beads decorated with colored glass patterns.  Tombo means “dragonfly” and Dama means “ball.” The name came into being because when molten glass is applied to the core bead, it resembles a dragonfly’s eye.

When you put on a piece of jewelry made of Tombo-Dama beads, you are truly wearing a piece of time-honored history!

Tombo-Dama beads existed as ornaments during the time of the ancient Egyptian dynasty and were revered as a charm against evil, a bead of hope, and a bead of wishes.

In addition, Tombo-Dama beads were commercially traded and were actively produced in European countries from the 16th to the early 20th century. They were brought to Japan by Dutch ships in the Edo period (1603-1867) and came to be made in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Okinawa. In prior centuries, these beads were also used for Japanese Kimono accessories and ornamental hairpins.

The Venetian beads, also known as the Murano beads, are one of the most sought-after glass beads in the world.   All of the glass used to make the beads originates in the island of Murano. But because Venice is much more widely known than the island of Murano, people continue to refer to the beads as the Venetian glass beads. 

Venetian beads are made from a type of glass known as soda glass.  The beads start with glass rods which have been made in Murano. All of the beads I use for my jewelry are made from the famous Moretti Canes.

Beads made in Venice are handmade and only so many can be made in a day compared to the machine made beads. There are a limited number of people still working this ancient craft in Venice - so supply is also limited that makes these beads special.