Frog Zen

This necklace features an intricately detailed, three-dimensional wooden Japanese ojime bead handcarved bead made out of boxwood which is signed by the artist.

Because Japanese kimonos do not have pockets, small bags were used to hold personal effects. The bags were attached with a cord with two carved beads: A larger toggle bead (netsuke) and a smaller sliding bead (ojime). Ojime were also believed to have magical or protective qualities.

This amphibian critter is surrounded by glass beads of green and rusty brown hues, two tiny little brown Swarovski crystals, and little silver accents. The loop is double-strung with strong nylon coated wire and hanging from a satin cord with a large lobster-claw clasp closure with a teeny starfish charm accent.