Prayer Beads

I am very happy with my handwork!

Before Shadow passed, he was getting heavily into the worship of Lord Ganesh.  We had a Ganesh tapestry behind the sofa that his sister now owns, and not one, but three Ganesh statues ranging in size from largish to very tiny.  I keep them all on the altar to honor him.  They sit right next to the Tibetan singing bowl.  He also purchased beading supplies to try and resurrect his hobby of jewelry making. Some of that was various findings, which he never got to use.  Because of this, I had decided to make a set of mala beads so I could chant mantras and honor him in that way.

Whelp, I had made my prayer beads last year and recently noticed that the string I used to knot them with was shredding.  So it was certainly time to re string them.  This time however, I wanted to do it right and I wanted to use some of the findings that Shadow had really liked.

In order to reconstruct this string of beads, I sacrificed a a bracelet which was also falling apart.  Before, the contrast beads were lava beads, but I didn't like the look or feel when passing between my finger tips.  The dark pink beads are rhodonite, the pale spotted ones are Kiwi stone.  I kept the same guru bead which is rose quartz, but I added a hamsa below it.  Then, I decided that the cording I used, which was way better quality this time, would make a good tassel which is traditional.  I strung the om pendant onto the tassel, and I think it really makes the whole thing come together.  I was really contemplating ordering a piece of rough quartz for the guru bead, but it was better to simply use what I already had.

Maybe some day I'll make another one with 8mm beads instead.  These 6mm beads are on the smaller size but still manageable for my fingers.  Overall, I am very proud of my work, and I'm pleased that I was able to make something somewhat professional looking.  I do hope this cording can last for longer than a year however!  It is quick work hand knotting them, but it's taking them off the old string that was the pain, I had to cut carefully between each bead to take it off.

The mantra Ana and I chant with the beads is one for Lord Ganesh and it is said to help remove obstacles in your life.

Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha

I think it's a beautiful way for Ana to remember her daddy and his fondness for Ganesh.

Namaste

🌠