Register Online Now through November 30, 2025.
Join us for Bag Charm with Elaine Imoto
Create your own elegant bag charm blending Italian craftsmanship with Japanese artistry. In this class, you’ll design a unique accessory featuring a blue Italian-style ceramic bead as the centerpiece, complemented by chirimen (Japanese crepe fabric) branches you’ll hand-sew for texture and color.
To personalize your creation, you’ll have the option to create another bag charm with a tiger cloisonné pendant (pictured below), symbolizing strength and courage, or choose from alternative accent charms for a custom touch.
Perfect for beginners to intermediate crafters who love combining cultures, textures, and symbolism into wearable art.
What you’ll learn:
• Basics of charm design and assembly
• Techniques for sewing and shaping chirimen fabric branches
• How to securely attach beads, findings, and charms for durability and balance
Instructor will provide:
- Waxed cord, elastic cord
- Beads, charms and chirimen fabrics
- Poly fill (polyester fiber filling)
- Keychain split-key ring carabiner
What to bring:
- Needle
- Polyester thread
- Sharp scissors
- Pen and paper for notes
- Jacket or sweater (room can get chilly)
- Snacks and beverages
Instructor Bio
A long time Honolulu Museum of Art (HOMA) volunteer, Elaine Imoto learned to weave baskets with bale straps from Professor Gaye Chan of University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Imoto took Chan’s reuse & recycle class in the December 2021 HOMA Artists of Hawaii Now program at which these weaving materials (the bales) were handed out.
Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui members receive a discounted class fee. If you are interested in becoming a member please click HERE.
This class is open to adults from age 18. Those registering for a Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui class may add one guest based on availability.
We require a minimum of three participants for each class. A full refund will be issued to those registered, if class is cancelled by Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui. Refunds for class registration cancellation by participant will be issued in full only if the cancellation is made more than 14 days before the class begins.
MAP Downtown Art Center
Click for information on Parking at DAC
MAP to HHH Classroom
How do I get to the Studio? From the Chinatown Gateway Garage, take the elevator to the 2nd floor and walk to the large double doors on the left. Enter the gallery and turn left; we are the last door on the left, past the kitchen. If you are parked elsewhere, walk up the steps to the DAC gift shop, go past it to find the elevator, and follow the instructions above to access the studio. There is a handicap ramp if you cannot walk up the stairs for the DAC building on the Nu'uanu entrance side. Walk towards the street lights, and you will see the ramp; you will need to walk through the courtyard to the elevator.
For more information contact: classes@hawaiihandweavers.org
__________________________________________________________
HHH TERMS OF USE_CANCELLATION POLICY 5_2023.pdf
