The beauty of a Mala

MALA

Mala's are a type of prayer bead used in many parts of the world. This style of necklace & bracelet continue to be a very popular item and can be made out of any of the beads found in our store. It is the number of beads used and the intention behind them that makes the piece a mala.

For Buddhists, there are 108 beads on the mala which are used to count and recite a mantra. Although any bead can be used, traditionally, mala's are made with round beads of wood, Rudraksha seeds (also used for prayer beads in Hinduism), or a semi-precious stone.

There is no set rule for the type of beads needed to create a mala. Choose beads that suit your intentions or ones that appeal to you. Creating a mala in you own style will result in a piece that is unique and personalised.

Tips to remember when creating your own mala:

1. Pick beads that appeal to you - natural wood and seed (Rudraksha seeds) are great starting points if you dont know what to choose. Semi-precious stones contain different properties and can be used to complement the wooden beads.

2. When stringing your mala start and end at the center point of your design. Mala's are intended to start at the beginning, flow around creating a circle and end where you started to finish the loop. Often a larger focal bead is used at the start/end point through which each cord passes.  When choosing your focal bead, ensure that the hole large enough for 2 strands of cord to pass through.

3. As you string your beads, think of the things that are important to you - you are putting your intentions into the mala. Think of the things you will meditate on, your loved ones, qualities of deity, your intentions, and the state of mind and body you are hoping to achieve. Let love and peace flow as you work!

 
 4. Cord - knotting cord, waxed linnen, silk or waxed nylon are all possible choices for string mala beads. They come in a range of different colours that can further personalise your design. Stringing mala beads usually involves knotting between each bead, this allows a small space to be left between each bead making it easier to keep track of you meditation mantra.



5. Keep the length of your mala in mind as you string the beads - the number of beads you use can vary depending on your beliefs and traditions. 108 beads is a common length to have a mala, this can become quite long if you are using large beads - using a variety of sizes can keep the length down. You may choose to string a majority of 6mm beads and incorporate 8mm or larger size beads at different intervals in your design. A strand of 108 6mm wooden beads knotted on waxed linnen will give you a length of 108cm/43" from end to end.

Shorter versions of mala's can be created as bracelets or hand held prayer/meditation beads. These may consist of 9, 22 or 27 beads. Shorter bracelet style malas are good to wear while traveling, while at work or while studying. 

6. Don't forget to have fun! With some many choices picking your beads can be overwhelming. Remember to choose colours, sizes and stone properties that appeal to you or the person you are making the mala for.

These are some of the more popular beads that are used by us and our customers to create unique and personaised malas.

Rudraksha seeds - seeds from the Rudraksha tree.

Semi precious stone smooth rounds.

Smooth round natural wooden beads

Still not sure or just wanting to try it out? Grab one our Mala style necklace kits to get started and be inspired!

Holiday Gifts

 

Get Creative this holiday season...

Spending time with family and friends is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays. Making gifts together or creating a unique personalized present for the special people in your life reflects a spirit
of the season, which can become forgotten.

Here at Country Beads we have put together some gift ideas to help you be inspired and creative this year. Whether you choose to give something for another to be creative or indulge in it yourself, it is a heart-felt gift that appeals to all.

Kits
Short on time or ideas? Grab a kit! Give one as a gift or use it yourself to make one!
Our kits are all made up and ready to go. Pick from a Beginners Kit for starting out containing the materials  you need to create earrings, a bracelet and a necklace - this is a great kit for sitting around beading with family and friends.

Other kits include our Sliding Macrame Kit, Looped Earring Kit and Ball Chain Wrap Bracelet Kit - these kits are available in a range of colours and include instructions and materials needed to create each technique. All of our kits are available in store or can be ordered off our website.


Wine charms
Choose the rings and an assortment of beads/charms and just string them on! Make them different by the charm, or even just by the bead colour. Only a basic pair of pliers is needed.
So add a personalized touch to your holiday get together's with these hand-made favorites. A simple project to make!

Bookmarks

Perfect for men and women, of all ages. Give a little something to your book club members or hard to buy for person on your list. We have the metal bookmark "sticks" here at Country Beads and just add whatever assortment of beads to the end. Make it as elaborate or simple as you want it to be.

Other quick easy presents for a variety of people which we carry all the supplies for are: key chains, hat pins & kilt pins, hair accessories....to name a few.

 

Gift Cards
Not quite sure what to get the special beader in your life? Grab a gift card!
Country Beads Gift Cards are available in any amount and don't expire. Gift Cards can be used for purchase in store, online or to register for one of our weekend classes.

So come in and grab a spot at our table (except when classes are on) and choose to create a heart-felt gift this season for the special people in your life!

November's Birthstones

November's Birthstones

The two birthstones associated with the month of November are Topaz and Citrine. Both are beautiful stones and work well together in designs.

Topaz is known as a stone of love and good fortune. It is said to bring joy, generosity, abundance & good health, releasing tension and inducing relaxation.  It promotes openness, honesty and self-realization aiding in the ability to express your ideas. Through stabilizing of the emotions, you become more receptive to love from all sources.

On a physical level, Topaz is associated with the solar plexus chakra. It soothes, heals, stimulates & recharges, improving motivation and aligning the meridians of the body – directing energy to where it is needed most. Used to aid with digestion and stimulating the metabolism.
It is no wonder that Topaz is such a precious stone!

Citrine is a quartz mineral ranging from a pale yellow to a deep golden yellow hue.  It is a mineral that doesn't hold  negative energy, instead dissipating it. This stone never needs cleansing!

   







It is thought to be associated with not only acquiring wealth but also helps to maintain it. So keep a piece in your wallet, or purse!
Citrine is said to protect one from negative energy, promote clarity of thought and increase self esteem. 
This stone can help to calm and soothe distressed conditions. It will give joy and love to the owner.

We carry both blue Topaz and Citrine, in a variety of cuts, shapes & sizes, by the strand and also loose. So come on in and create your materpiece!

Creating Dream Catchers

Dream Catchers

Originating as a native American design, dream catchers are created to offer protection while you sleep. We're noticing more people coming into the store inquiring about making their own so we thought we'd show you how easy it is!

And why not....adults, children, and even pets....who wouldn't want sweet dreams!?!

Usually hung above your bed, the web of the dream catcher stops bad dreams from reaching you while the positive dreams are able to slip through the centre hole in the center of the web. When the sun rises in the morning it burns away the bad dreams that are stuck in the web.

Dream Catchers are easy to make and we carry all of the supplies needed. Follow these simple steps:

Choose your dream catcher ring size.

Choose your suede (or leather, but it should be flat) to wrap around the ring.

We used about 1.5 metres to cover our 4" ring, and another 0.5 metres for the top loop.  

Use a dab of glue at the top to start and continue to wrap your lace around the ring, lining up the edges until to meet at the top. Tie your top suede over the bottom and create a loop for hanging. 

 

Pick stones, glass or wooden beads to decorate your web.

Semi-precious stones with properties that suit your 

intentions are a great way to complement and empower your design.

  

 

Use artificial sinew or nylon thread to create your web design.

Start by knotting the sinew between the suede lace, looping it at intervals. As you come around to where you started, loop in the centre of the sinew. Continue looping and adding a bead at random until you get near the centre. Knot the sinew when the centre hole is the size you would like. 

 

 

Cotton cord has been braided to create the pathway for 

the positive dreams to travel down to you while you sleep.

 

Feathers are also added using fold overs to secure them to the dream pathways.

Place the feathers in the fold over and fold the sides down with flat-nose pliers. Use a jump ring to attach the feathers to the braided cotton.

 

Enjoy making your own creation,

  & sweet dreams!

 

Handmade Recycled Glass Beads from Africa

It is wonderful to know that in the world of beads, a simple, time-honoured tradition of glass bead-making still exists today. These beautiful handmade recycled glass beads from Ghana are certainly an example of that.

Handmade in Africa, these gorgeous beads have the look and feel of tumbled beach glass. Each one made with care and no two the same, gorgeous in their roughness and inconsistency. They range in colour from dusty soft hues to brightly painted exteriors.

These beads are a popular item in our store and have a fascinating story, adding to their appeal.

Add a unique look to your creations and know that you are supporting an entire village of glass bead-makers.

The process of creating these beads involves crushing up old glass bottles by hand, into a fine powder.

The powder is placed into molds and put inside a kiln to melt.

Once removed from the kiln, holes are made with straw pieces that burn away.

The final step is to tumble the beads to remove any powdered coating left from the molds.

They are tumbled by hand with water, small pebbles and sand.

The next step is up to you! Come in and create a beautiful, unique piece of jewellery!

 

The month of September

  Sapphire ~ September's stone

 The birthstone for September is Sapphire, a member of the Corundum family. This very hard stone ranges in colour from blue, green, orange, pink, yellow, white and black. This extreme coloration is affected by various mineral compounds forming along with aluminum oxide. 

Sapphires are said to be a stone of wisdom, royalty & integrity. Aiding in protection, good fortune, spiritual insight and wise judgement. It is also believed to help with insomnia, as it soothes the mind and body. This calmness promotes a fuller understanding of oneself.

 

VIRGO - August 23rd - September 22nd

The zodiac sign of Virgo is a practical, logical sign, often with a careful and analytical approach to life.  Virgos tend to have strong powers of observation and organization, but should guard against being overly critical - of both themselves and others, as it makes it difficult for others to live up to their extraordinarily high standards.  They are discriminating, loyal, friendly, honest & kind and take their responsibilities to their partner and family very seriously. They tend to keep a tight rein on their emotions, appearing cold and lacking in sensitivity, which sometimes makes it difficult for them to be empathetic.

Here are a few recommended semi-precious stones for people falling under this sign:

Moss Agate - for agreeability, persuasiveness and efficacy in all pursuits.

Amazonite - eliminates aggravation, soothes all chakras and aides in the treatment of nervous system disorders.

Amethyst - protective, balances the intellectual, emotional and physical bodies.

Peridot - strengthens and regenerates the body, cleanses and stimulates the heart & solar plexus chakras, bringing openness and acceptance in the intellectual pursuit of matters.

 

Sugilite - helps one to forgive oneself and others, eliminates hostility.