Celebrate the iconic artistry of Frida Kahlo with this stunning 16-band beaded necklace. Featuring an intricate design that captures the profile of Frida, this necklace is a vibrant tribute to her legacy.
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Material: Crafted from high-quality Czech glass beads and real gemstones, offering a luxurious feel and vibrant colors.
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Design Feature: The necklace showcases 16 bands of intricately woven beads that form a stunning depiction of Frida Kahlo’s artistic profile. The interplay of colors and patterns is a true testament to skilled craftsmanship.
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Size: Measures 33 inches in length and 2 inches in width, providing a bold and eye-catching statement piece.
- Country of Origin: Handcrafted in Guatemala, this necklace supports fair trade practices and local artisans.
- Special Feature: Secured with a loop closure, making it easy to wear while ensuring a secure fit.
- Slight color variations may occur in beading
design: A multi-strand statement necklace of 16 loom-woven seed bead bands, with one wide panel forming a color-blocked portrait of Frida Kahlo, tapering into long beaded strands.
size: 33 inches in length, 2 inches in width.
material: Czech glass seed beads and gemstone beads, on brass/copper findings.
features: 16-strand loom-woven construction, hand-beaded Frida Kahlo portrait panel, loop closure
care: Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and store flat, away from moisture and perfume, to protect the beadwork.
disclaimer: As each band is hand-loomed bead by bead, slight variations in color placement may occur from piece to piece.
The Story
This necklace is built using a multi-strand loom-beading style long practiced by artisans in Guatemala, where fine seed beads are strung and woven row by row into narrow bands, then bundled into bold, layered necklaces. The technique rewards patience and a steady hand: each row of color is placed deliberately, the way a weaver reads a pattern chart, so that a recognizable image emerges only once dozens of rows are complete.
The subject here, Frida Kahlo, isn't a traditional Guatemalan motif — she's a contemporary, widely recognized image that artisans have adapted to their loom-beading skill for today's market. It's a good example of how a traditional handcraft stays alive and relevant: the stitch and structure are heritage technique, while the imagery reflects what makers and buyers connect with now.
The layered, multi-band silhouette itself echoes a broader Central American beadwork sensibility, where necklaces are built as cascades of narrow strands rather than a single strung line, giving the piece its fringe-like movement and volume.
Each band starts on a beading loom, where the artisan warps fine threads and then works seed beads across them row by row, following a gridded pattern much like a woven charm bracelet. Building the Frida panel alone takes many hundreds of individual bead placements to render the color transitions of her face, flowers, and shawl. Once the 16 bands are complete, they're gathered, secured, and finished with a loop closure — work that depends entirely on a practiced eye for color and an unhurried hand.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Guatemala
- Craft Tradition: Guatemalan loom-woven beadwork
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a bold, artful statement necklace with a folk-art edge
- Wear It With: Let it anchor a simple solid-color top or dress so the beadwork stays the focal point
- Purpose: Statement necklace, gift, everyday-to-evening wear
- Metal: Brass / Copper
Questions & Answers
How long is the necklace?
It measures 33 inches in length and 2 inches across at its widest beaded panel.
How does it close?
It fastens with a simple loop closure, which slips on easily and holds the strands securely once worn.
What is it made from?
The bands are hand-loomed from Czech glass seed beads and gemstone beads, set on brass/copper findings.
Where is it made?
It's handcrafted in Guatemala using a traditional multi-strand loom-beading technique.
Will the colors match exactly what's pictured?
Because each band is beaded by hand, you may see slight variations in color placement from the piece shown.
