All About the TOHO Challenge 2026

TOHO Challenge 2026: You are Mermazing!

Get ready, jewelry designers, the highly anticipated 2026 TOHO Challenge is finally here!

This year, Team TOHO is calling all bead artists to dive deep, dream big, and create their most dazzling ocean-inspired masterpiece yet! Inspired by the enchanting legends of Japanese art and mermaids, this year's theme is a shimmering celebration of magic, hope, and creativity. Team TOHO has hand-curated a gorgeous palette of sea-toned colors—and they want to see what YOU can do with them..

Below, you'll find the list of 2026 TOHO Challenge colors, along with participation rules. Enjoy the challenge, and if you join in, we'd love to see your creations! Share your photos with us in The Beader’s Nook, our private Facebook group!

SO... WHAT ACTUALLY IS THE TOHO CHALLENGE?

Every year, TOHO picks a theme and curates a color palette, then invites beaders and makers everywhere to use those colors to create something—anything. The goal isn't to win (though some designers do get featured!). Mostly it's just about having fun, flexing your creativity, and seeing what the community comes up with. The results are always incredible, and you can browse past pieces on Team TOHO's website and social pages. Anyone can participate.

WHAT'S IN THE MINIKIT?

When you get a minikit, it includes a sample of every color in the palette. But here's the thing: you're not limited to only using what's physically in the kit. You can buy more beads individually, as long as the color code matches. The key is using some of every color listed on the card.

For example: the kit might include jet black 11/0 triangle beads, but you'd rather work with jet black 8/0 demi rounds. As long as the color name and code are the same, you're good! Same goes for Czech glass; if the kit has turquoise bar beads and you're stumped, you can swap in turquoise 3mm fire polished beads in the same color instead.

Shop the TOHO Challenge 2026 Mini Kit | Shop the TOHO Challenge 2026 Color Palette

CRACKING THE COLOR CODES

The mini kit card lists every color name and code, and once you get the hang of the system, it's really intuitive. The format is roughly: bead type · size · color code. For example:

TM-03-101 → TM = magatama, size 3, color 101 (Transparent Lustered Crystal)

TR-11-144 → TR = round, size 11/0, color 144 (Ceylon Celery)

TR-08-144 → same color 144, but in size 8/0 rounds—totally fine to use!

One small but important note: 164B and 164BF are two different colors, even if they look similar. Each code listed on the card is its own distinct color that needs to be represented in your piece.

Using a stunning selection of TOHO Seed Beads, Starman Czech Glass Beads and Austrian crystal, you’ll have the chance to bring this vibrant theme to life. Not only is this an opportunity to push your creativity, but your design could also gain global recognition! Will your piece be among the standout creations showcased to the world? 

Whether you enter the competition or simply challenge yourself for fun, this kit is the perfect way to explore your creativity and try something exciting!

 

 

2026 Challenge Rules

Create an original design in the medium of your choice using only these TOHO, Starman and Austrian Crystal colors from the TOHO Challenge 2026 palette and send a photo to TEAM TOHO! That's it! You can find TOHO's contact information on their Facebook page! You can shop the available colors here or refer to the list below:

TOHO SEED BEAD COLORS

Use any size or shape TOHO Beads in these colors

#101 Transparent-Lustered Crystal

#121 Opaque-Lustered White

#767 Opaque-Pastel-Frosted Lt Gray

#23B Silver-Lined Dk Aqua

#163B Transparent-Rainbow Dk Aqua

#252 Inside-Color Aqua/Purple-Lined

#162C Transparent-Rainbow Topaz

#144 Ceylon Celery

#164B Transparent-Rainbow Dk Peridot

#164BF Transparent-Rainbow Frosted Dk Peridot

#252F Inside-Color Frosted Aqua/Purple-Lined

#776 Purple-Lined Aqua Rainbow

#932FM Frosted Capri-Lined Aqua

#2203 Silver-Lined Navy

#905 Ceylon Peach Blush

#205 Gold-Lustered Dk Amethyst

 

STARMAN CZECH GLASS

Use any size or shape Czech Glass Beads in these colors

#24709 Ginkgo — Slushy Orange

#48113 Ginkgo — Summer Rainbow Dark Violet

#7010 Lentil — Lt Rosaline

#MX2398 Rounds — Matte Jet AB

#94104 GemDuo — Polychrome Aqua Teal

#6002 SuperDuo — Aquamarine

#48013 FP — Dual Coated Aqua/Fuchsia

 

AUSTRIAN CRYSTAL

Use any size or shape Austrian Crystal in these colors

Crystal Iridescent Light Turquoise Pearl

Rules for TOHO Challenge Mini Kit Participants 

● You are strongly encouraged to use at least some of each color in the 2026 palette to create one eye-catching piece.

● You are allowed to use more of the same colors of TOHO, Starman Czech beads and Austrian Crystal in any size or shape you like, the names vary from store to store, but must be same stock numbers as on list.

● Toho seed beads should be the star of the show!

● No other seed beads or Czech beads not on list may be used!

● You can add one Focal item of your choice, such as one single pendant or cabochon. For example, a strand of stones (or any other beads not listed above) does not qualify as one item.

● You can use any clasp, findings, backing, threads, and fibers—but make sure they stay within the challenge color palette and are used sparingly so the beads are the star the show.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING

Designs will get worldwide exposure. This is your chance to “wow” the world with your creativity. Photos of your designs will have a special posting on the TeamTOHO website and Facebook page.

Some of the featured designers are also chosen from participating people who take the challenge themselves, so send us photos of your finished challenge design by messaging the TeamTOHO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TeamTOHO/ and email your photos to or info@starmaninc.com.

STILL WONDERING IF YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE?

Here's what our designer Aga, who took part in the TOHO Challenge several years back, has to say:

"The TOHO Challenge was one of those experiences I'm really glad I said yes to. Working within the constraints of a curated box—colors and shapes that aren't necessarily your usual go-to—turns out to be incredibly liberating. You surprise yourself. You discover combinations you'd never have thought to try, and the inspiration just builds as you go. Add to that the joy of sharing the experience with a whole community of beaders doing the same thing, all interpreting the same palette in their own unique way, and it becomes something much bigger than just a beading project. I highly recommend it!"

— Aga, Eureka designer

So why not go for it, get your beads ready and show the world what Mermazing looks like! Happy Beading!!