Description
Ni’ihau Lei, 20″ Poepoe. Crafted by master artisan Tutu Outzen.
About The Artist ~ Tutu Outzen
The Poepoe-style weave, distinctly influenced by international artisans, is now becoming a mark of pride among Ni’ihau makers. Tutu Outzen is an artist with the very rare ability to create both the two- and three-strand twist styles of Poepoe lei. Over the course of 17 years, she has mastered her signature style: Poepoe Wili that is wrapped instead of tied after every shell, a very difficult weave that creates more uniformity and less space between shells. She finishes her lei in the traditional macrame style with a puka shell clasp on knotted fiber, what Hawaiians used prior to European contact.
Tutu’s color blending is very original, and she is a master stringer with a warm heart and a beautiful interpretation of weaving precious lei.