Spotlight on TOHO Seed Beads

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TOHO seed beads have been made in Japan since 1951. The name TOHO translates to “Eastern Treasure,” signifying the covetable quality of these little beauties. They’re precision made so bead weavers can create consistent bead stitches, loomwork, and other styles of beadwork. TOHO seed beads are tested for durability and wear, light sensitivity, and other factors that are important for making long-lasting, wearable beaded jewelry.

Above: A variety of TOHO seed beads

With the extended deadline for our 2022 Bead Arts Awards coming up, which features a seed bead category, we wanted to feature these excellent seed beads and tell you more about them!

seed beads Zukowsky — Ethereal Glow Necklace by Marianna Zukowsky

TOHO Details

Technical Editor Meredith Steele says, “After bead weaving with Czech seed beads for a decade, when I started working with Japanese seed beads, especially TOHO brand, my mind was blown. I could not believe how much more precise the size and shape of the beads were. That, plus, all of the gorgeous colors means I’ll never go back!”

There are hundreds of colors and finishes in a variety of shapes and sizes in the TOHO collection. As with most Japanese seed beads, the holes in TOHO beads are larger than other seed beads in the same size. This means there are more beads per gram. For size 11/0, there are about 110 per gram. The larger hole size also allows for multiple thread passes or thicker stringing material.

seed beads Ellsworth — Steelstack Pendant by Wendy Ellsworth

Designers Love TOHO

“I love TOHO seed beads because they are very good quality and they look the same, which is not true for other seed beads. Their walls are thinner, so the thread can be led through them several times. The color range made by this company is also beautiful, so beaders have a wide range to choose from. I can imagine beadwork jewelry without seed beads but I think, if I include them in my beadwork, they make it softer, and it won’t look too “coarse” as a result of using too many pressed beads. I encourage everyone to experiment with them freely and to experience why they cannot be absent from a beader’s workshop,” says Designer of the Year 2016 Evelina Palmontova.

5 TOHO Seed Bead Finishes

Transparent Rainbow

There’s an iridescent finish on the surface of transparent glass. Similar effects are called aurora borealis (AB) or oil slick. The inner layer of glass affects the color of the rainbow, which can look more gold, purple, blue, or green.

Transparent Luster

The transparent glass has a pearlescent effect with a glossy finish. The glazed look is soft, shiny, and has a different look depending on the transparent color. As with all transparent glass, you should keep in mind that your beading thread will show.

Opaque Gilded Marble

Light does not show through opaque glass. The marble effect resembles a crackle or stone look and is available with and without the gilded finish. The gilded, or metallic, finish looks like an aged patina on some opaque beads.

Opaque Frosted

The frosted finish is a matte treatment that removes any shine from the surface of the nontransparent bead. Matte-finish beads make for beautiful, subtle beadwork, and they mix well with all of the other types of seed beads, from rainbow to metallic and more.

Silver-Lined Transparent

Also called metal-lined, this seed bead finish has a silver lining inside a transparent coating of glass. It gives the bead a reflective look and a very shiny effect in beadwork. Silver-lined beads are often used as spacers between other beads.

Create with Seed Beads

No matter what you decide to create with these little beauties, you’ll love the huge variety of colors and finishes and the way they fit together. For more beautiful seed bead ideas, check out 5 Simply Seeds Projects: Gorgeous Bead Weaving Using Only Seed Beads by Meredith Steele.

Love Designing with Seed Beads? Show Your Stuff in the 2022 Bead Arts Awards

We’ve just extended the deadline for the 2022 Bead Arts Awards to July 25, so you’ve still got time to create a seed bead masterpiece. Use primarily seed beads to create your show-stopping beaded design, which can incorporate up to 40% other types of beads. Innovative use of these traditional elements will be rewarded. Non-jewelry objects are welcome, too, so send us your beaded sculptures!

Artists of all levels are welcome to enter the competition for the chance to gain recognition for their accomplishments and to show off their best beadwork. Thank you to our category sponsor, Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.

Originally published in Beadwork August/September 2019. Published to web 7/13/2020. Updated 7/11/2022.