Bead Lovers Guide

The concept of meditation has been around for thousands of years. It has been practiced by millions of people from different walks of life, from different religion. In fact, groups and individuals have already established certain rules and concepts that may support meditation. They have built meditation as a tradition, and of the rules set by these people, the use of mala beads is deemed one of the most important.

The mala beads are in the first place a form of rosary beads. It is a string of usually 108 beads with one of those considered as the summit bead or the sumeru. The mala beads are popular in India and parts of Tibet, with hundreds of people using them for the chanting and reciting of a mantra. The word “mala” originated from Sanskrit and means “necklace” or “garland”.

Characteristics

The mala beads are designed in varying styles, sizes, and colors. They also differ according to what materials are used. For instance, most of the mala beads are crafted from sandal wood, tulsi or basil wood, crystals, and rudraksh seeds. Each of these materials has their own properties that make the mala beads worth possessing. The properties of these materials, according to many users, can pose certain effects to the subconscious mind of the meditation practitioners.

The Usage

The mala beads are designed for one particular use – to aid individuals in doing the mantras. The mantras, as you may know, are performed in repetitions. The repetitions may take for about thousands of times, and during the process, the mind may wander off without your control. If the level of energy present on your system is low during the meditation, chances are you will fall into deep slumber, and if the energy is too high, mental distractions like fantasies may occur and become the hassles. So to control your mind and your whole being during the meditation process, the mala beads should be used. Simply put, the beads help to track the repetitions involve in the mantras.

How the mala beads are handled? Well, typically there are two ways of handling these beads for meditation. Traditionally, it is held in the right, hanging between the ring finger and the thumb. The one used to rotate the beads one by one is the middle finger. On the other hand, the mala beads are handled hanging on the middle finger. The thumb is what basically used to rotate the beads, one at a time. In both of these ways, the index finger is not used to touch the beads.

It is important to note that in doing the mantras, the mala beads are rotated in particular rhythm that goes with every breath. The counting begins at the sumeru and continues until the sumeru is touched again. It basically goes in loop.

Magnets have been used in almost all types industries for several purposes. Of the industries that employ it, the fashion and craft industry is one emerging group to make use of it in large quantities. And, one important achievement that the craft industry had made with the use of magnets is the development of magnetic hematite beads.

The magnetic hematite beads are in the first place a rapidly growing craze in the craft and fashion industry. Several bead artists have already used it for creating their own art and jewelry projects. And, with the ever growing number of people considering the magnetic hematite beads, more and more jewelry and craft stores are now emerging to provide the public a wide selection of beads made of magnetic hematite.

Magnetic hematite is a gemstone developed by one sure process – magnetizing of simulated hematite. Note that “simulated” hematites are used here for the reason that the natural hematite does not subject itself to magnetization. It cannot be magnetized, to simply put.

To allow the strong power of magnets contained in the magnetic hematite beads, bead artists have designed and developed their beads by polarization. The sides of the beads are polarized, making each piece useful for clutching hundreds of strands together. This is basically the reason that you see multiple strands of matching magnetic jewelries beautifully aligned.

The magnetic hematite beads are considered not just for their strong power, but also for their heath benefits. Yes, you heard me right. It is believed that the health benefits of the magnetic hematite beads are all attributed to magnetic jewelry. The beads, when used, are said to be capable of maintaining the natural charge of the body’s nerve cells. As a result, bodily aches and pains are eliminated. Aside from that, the magnetic hematite beads are deemed powerful for enhancing the healing process. They can also help make the immune system strong, and they are even great for those who are suffering from insomnia as the beads can increase the quality of sleep.

There is more to be said about the health benefits of magnetic hematite beads. To further give you ideas, many people believe that when the magnetic hematite beads are worn on the wrist, hands, or fingers, it can provide an immediate relief to any hand ailments. And, when worn on the neck or on ears, the magnetic hematite beads can help eliminate light headaches and migraines. While these benefits are perfect for both sexes and ages, it is important to note that pregnant women and those who wear pacemaker are not recommended to use magnetic hematite beads.

Today, jewelries and artistic items made of magnetic hematite beads are sold in almost all craft and jewelry stores. Some are sold wholesale, while others are for individual purchase. The price does vary according to their style and the intensity of their magnetic power.

Do magnetic beads really have therapeutic powers? Humans have worn beads for many thousands of years. In fact, latest discoveries from archeological sites date the earliest proofs of beads to be 100,000 years old. The most common explanation that would surface is that beads are worn for self-adornment. However, beads in many cultures of the world are used in rituals and are even regarded as sacred, such as Rudraksha beads, which the Hindus believe to come from the tears of their Lord Shiva.

On the lighter side of things, magnetic beads also serve the purpose of convertible fashionable accessories. Many beaders actually are having fun creating jewelry wraps since no clasps are necessary to close the piece. Stringing the magnetic beads onto a nylon cord or SoftFlex of any length, then put the wraps together and the magnetic attraction will hold them in place. These beads are natural magnets so it’s viable to experiment on fun designs without the hassle of putting in clasps or doing overhand knots to close the wraps.

In other instances, beads are not just worn as a simple piece of jewelry. Beads that are magnetic are thought to have healing properties. Some people who have tried putting on magnetic beads to relieve pain do attest this. Research has revealed that magnetic jewelry items like bracelets as well as other magnetic therapy products are potent alternatives to effectively relieve pain without the use of medicines.

Although it has not become a trend, yet, professional sports trainers, chiropractors, and professional golfers are trying out the effectiveness of magnetic therapy through magnetic beads to help in the treatment of sports-related injuries, arthritis, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, tennis elbow, neck pain, tennis elbow, forms of inflammation, to reduce high blood pressure, and likewise relieve general body pains and aches.

The idea of the therapeutic powers of magnetic stones is not a modern concept. Like beads, this is a thousands-year-old belief that traces its roots to the Egyptians, Asians, Hebrew, Indian, Greeks, and European. The early people from these civilizations have resorted to naturally magnetic stones in their holistic medicine. However, this concept reached the shores of the United States only in the past few years.

Moreover, magnetic therapy through magnetic beads is used to enhance the body’s natural healing process in relieving body pains and discomfort. Although this idea still has to be substantiated by Science, applying magnetic therapy over the affected or injured portion is believed to increase blood flow to reduce inflammation as well as enhance the body’s natural healing powers. The magnetic properties of Hematite stones, in the meantime, are believed to generate a paramagnetic field that blocks any signals of pain to the brain.

So aside from being worn as jewelry, magnetic beads in form of jewelry items are currently being looked into as alternative medicine in countries such as Japan, China, Austria, India and Germany to alleviate pain symptoms and promote healing.

If you were born before or during the 60s, chances are you are familiar with the love beads. The love beads were a hottest piece of jewelry during the 1960s and almost all couples wear it every day and night. They developed and crafted love beads for a single purpose – to allow partners to show love, respect, and acceptance to each other and to their peers.

The love beads were produced in 1960s as one of the traditional accessories of the hippies. The beads are typically strung together to form a long string of beads. They are composed of small beads that are particularly handmade. They are worn by both females and males and have been considered as a symbol of love and acceptance. This trend actually came out and had evolved through the years from the interest and fascination of the hippie people with the culture of those who do not belong to the Western region. India and the Native American region are two of the most well-known countries to have influenced the hippies to embrace the trend. These areas were traditionally noted for their love beads that are crafted with stones of similar shapes and sizes.

The love beads come in different colors and patterns. This is also true among the other types of beads. But what basically sets love beads from the rest is their importance in a relationship. According to several researches, the love beads of the 1960s were viewed from a hippie point of view as a piece of jewelry that determines the person’s love for his or her partner or friends. As an important piece of art, the beads are exquisitely made. They are also carefully designed and woven just to create a piece that is so precious and beautiful. They are worn either on the neck or wrist and those who wear them are deemed to be beautiful inside and out.

Today, the love beads are made available for the public to consider. However, since they were crafted with the hippie style, those who wear them often want to appear with a hippie look. Well, there’s nothing wrong with that as long as you know exactly what you are wearing. After all, the love beads are not just valued these days to bring back the memories of the hippie era, but as a piece of jewelry that can be used as a gift for friendship.

The good news is that finding the right love beads can now be easy with lots of them available these days. They can be found even in your local craft or jewelry stores, or online with a number of website operating out there on the net to give you the wide selection of love beads. Perhaps the nice thing about ordering these beads on the web is that you can do the process even at the comfort of your home, provided that you have the internet connection. Yes, there’s no need for you to drive around just to find the best craft store. All you have to do is to sit and look for the right portal online and in just a matter of clicks, the transaction is done. This requires enough effort and time, however.

Note: Many people of the 60s and early 70s believe that when a string of love beads splits, the ones wearing them will fall in love soon.

The earliest forms of glass beads were dated to be 30,000 years old. Wearing lampwork beads is a classic and a modern trend as well.

Egyptians notably used glass-like beads made from Egyptian faience beads, a type of clay bead having a self-molding vitreous property. Lampwork beads are a variant of wound glass beads. They were typically the works of men since producing them require melting glass at furnace temperatures. The decorative touch was then added by women, mostly in their homes by employing oil lamps (hence, the name lampwork) to reheat the core in order to decorate them using wisps of glass.

During the 19th century, mass production of lampwork beads became an industry for the Venetians. The people who worked on lampwork beads were remunerated for their work by the piece.

Modern lampwork beads Today’s lampwork beads are produced by heating a rod of glass with a gas torch then a resulting thread is spun all over a metal rod enclosed in bead release. As soon as the base bead has been molded, other glass colors can be added on the surface to create decorative effects. To achieve durability, the beads may be reheated in a kiln.

Contemporary beadmakers make use of single or double-fuel torches. Most people in the industry today prefer using a flameworking torch or burner because it produces soot-free flame. Oxygen and propane (although natural gas are sometimes used) are mixed at the mouth of the torch, which makes it less quiet. Additionally, the torch is immovable unlike in metalworking, so that the process of moving the bead and glass in the flame is more feasible.

Finding durable and adorable lampwork Lampwork beads are popular components for pieces of jewelry, be it bracelets, necklaces, etc. You’ll be amazed at the wide array of lampwork beads online. Their quality depends on the expertise of jewelry artisans. However, it’s not only the style you must consider when finding your own lampwork beaded jewelry.

It’s helpful to ask the following questions before buying a lampwork beaded jewelry: 1) were the beads annealed in a kiln, 2) the track record of the jewelry artisan, 3) has the artisan sold his creation on the Web where customer feedback is available, 4) are the beads being guaranteed by the seller?

Cracking is probably one of the biggest worries for lampwork glass beads especially when the artisan skipped the annealing process in a kiln. Annealing allows the glass from the outside in to gradually cool down at the same time, reducing the possibility of cracks.

Also, check the beads as a whole, whether you find them pleasing or you are noticing slight variations. Variations are normal for handmade lampwork beads (which they mostly are) but so long as you don’t notice any trace of untoward appearances, then the lampwork beads are good to go.

With the use of a torch in melting and shaping the glass, lampwork bead jewelry has existed since the primordial periods. In the region of Murano in Italy, this has only been introduced in the 1300′s which eventually spread all over the continent of Europe. By the 1850′s, the method was joined with paperweights that are shaped into domes which dominantly started in France and up to this juncture, is still a popular technique practiced by skilled artisans.

In the late stages of the 1960′s, lampwork bead jewelry was treated with utmost significance particularly by Hans Godo Frabel who hails from Germany. He applied his scientific trainings in order to fashion a relatively huge material. Aside from him, there are also other skilled artisans who became popular because of their exceptional ability in performing the method. They are Cesare Toffolo, Robert Mickelson, Milon Townsend, Rudolf Blaschka and Roger Parramore.

Selection Lampwork bead jewelry can be carried out with any kinds of glass available such as borosicilate, soda lime and lead.

Borosicilate is hard that requires a great amount of heat. A laboratory kind, an example is Pyrex which can be dominantly seen in a lot of household nowadays. There is an individual who has been generating several patterns for the shaded borosicilate. She goes by the name of Sue Ellen Fowler where her conceptions have been the basis for the first products of Northstar Company.

Soda Lime is regarded to be the most famous employed by the method. Presently, Effetre Company has been the biggest manufacture of the kind. In the United States, a corporation called Bullseye trails second where they present their products to consumers as exceptionally compatible in terms of Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (COE). Firms such as Uroboros and Spectrum make soda lime that has a COE of 96.

Lead is distinguish by low thickness and heavy mass. Apart from that, the kind also has huge tolerance to mismatches in the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (COE). The companies that primarily manufacture such items are Czech, German and Satake which all arrive in absolute editions. Gaffer Corporation is particularly a neophyte in the business of fashioning lead with a COE of 96 that has headquarters in New Zealand.

The art of lampwork bead jewelry is quite intricate in nature as skilled artisans even find it as a challenge doubly testing their aptitude. Right after they are able to finish a model on paper, they have to cautiously plan what are the step- by- step procedures. Once prepared to start, the individual carefully introduces tubing into the flame to avoid any breakage from thermal shock. The glass is then placed under high temperature in order to soften. The technique then makes it easy for other things to be merged as well as in arriving at a desirable mold. Once done, the item has to be annealed.

Yes, lampwork bead jewelry is complicated but if others were able to acquire the talent, it goes to say that you can also have the opportunity to learn the method.

If the Catholics have the rosary when imploring before Mama Mary, the Buddhists also have their own version which is called the Juzu beads. In Buddhism, it has a very profound value as followers believe that by using the religious material in their prayers, they will get hold of the huge benefit in changing earthly longings into illumination as well as in discovering that the trials in life is a doorway to emancipation.

Overview According to a twenty- sixth high priest by the name of Nichikan Shonin, a string of Juzu beads is a means of guiding an individual of average ability who is then compelled to enact ascetic practices. It is both symbolic and significant which is used by the Buddhists when they call on Buddha and the other names of their gods. Aside from that, the religious material is also utilized when counting the number of invocations being made as well as in reading the sutras of Buddhism.

The string of Juzu beads has always been used as a manner to draw more people of Mappo in close contact with the Three Treasures namely Buddha, Law and Priesthood. Treated with utmost care, the Buddhists have been considering it as one of the Three Robes necessary in living out their teachings. The other two are primordially dubbed as “kesa” and “koromo” but the religious material have been utilized by all the followers.

Meaning In the string of Juzu beads, one hundred and eight small circles are of similar size. As rendered by the different treaties such as the Annotations on the Great Concentration and Insight written by Miao- Lo, it represents how many are the carnal desires of a mortal human being. The whole of the religious material stands for the five characters of the Mystic Principle, the entity of the simple which is the philosophy every Buddhist should attain to obtain enlightenment.

The two large circles of the Juzu beads correspond to either mother and father, Ho and Myo, Taho and Shakyamuni or wisdom and reality. The roundness of the string of Juzu beads speaks of the Mystic Truth as well as the true body of each phenomenon. A certain Shakyamuni Buddha in his Seishi Bosatsu Sutra said that persons who use the religious material of small squares are not disciples of Buddhism. Nichiren Daishonin echoed in agreement telling that such individuals are members of the Jodo sect. In immersing yourself in the ways of Buddhism, you will learn that Buddhists will never separate the string of Juzu beads away from their bodies even for a moment because they strongly regard it to aid them in overcoming transgressions. Aside from that, the religious material is also dealt with the same level of respect with their gods.

Heard about ivory beads? Seen beads made of ivory? Well, hundreds of people are looking for these materials since the ancient times. Fortunately, thousands of beads made of ivory are now designed and marketed all over the world. The source of ivory, however, is limited only to India and the African countries where elephants are raised.

Yes, ivory comes from the tusks of the elephants. Several reports have noted that in the early days, a number of elephants were killed just for their tusks. The killing, however, was banned following the recognition that elephants are becoming extinct. With the banning, the supply of ivory was also reduced, then making the ivory beads these days a bit difficult to find.

The ivory beads are crafted into different designs for several reasons and purposes. In the first place, the beads are used for jewelry making. Some also use the beads for their art projects, as well as in dress making and other fashion crafts. They are crafted into different designs to meet the needs of the individuals. And, unlike the other beads available on the market, the ivory beads only come in one particular color, which is ivory, although there are others that are bleached and painted or polished. They vary, however, in terms of size and shape.

Speaking of color, the ivory beads are crafted into different designs while retaining their natural color. This is considered simply for the fact that the natural color of these beads allows each pieces to glow even in the dark. They are also noted for their unique texture which is soft and smooth. And, this softness, according to many bead artists, is what actually makes the ivory beads easy to carve or design.

Now, if you are one of the hundreds looking for ivory beads, I have good news for you. The beads can now be found both offline and online. Many consumers, however, prefer to go online than to drive around just to find the right pieces. Well, this preference is becoming so strong knowing that searching for the best ivory beads online can only be done in just a matter of clicks. More than a hundred jewelry and craft stores are now operating on the web to give you a wide selection of high quality beads, after all.

However, when searching for ivory beads online, choose only the reliable stores. You can do this by knowing everything about the company, their services and products, and their store policies. Look for a site that offers you guarantees. Once you’ve found one, choose the beads according to what you really need or want.

Fimo beads make great imitation jewelry without having to spend a fortune. How to make fimo beads is simple, but requires creativity and patience. One thing you need to consider is that fimo beads can be as intricate as any other type of beads. It’s also necessary to understand the material used for these beads before learning how to make fimo beads.

Fimo is fabricated from a synthetic material much like a modeling clay, which makes it easy to mold into thousands of designs. Fimo beads can be assembled into necklaces and other types of jewelry. However, for the benefit of beginners who want to know how to make fimo beads, we’ll use a simple pattern to describe the process.

Steps on how to make fimo beads Initially, get all the necessary supplies ready from a craft store or department store, like fimo beads in green, yellow, and red colors. Additionally, prepare a clasp, spool of thread, a cake tin, and kitchen oven. In the final stages of making the beadwork, you will also need a cutting tool (like a razor blade) and a large pin to finalize your creation.

Once the materials for making fimo beads are raedy, get down and begin. The bead that you intend to place at the center should be the first to prepare, in our example it’s the yellow beads. Pinch off a small piece of fimo from the larger slab to about the size of a quarter and the width of a pencil. Next, rub fimo in a circular motion against both hands until it becomes warm and leaves no cracks when folded.

Then, pinch a piece about the size of a nickel from the prime piece and roll it on a flat surface. The ensuing shape is a log about 3 inches long – make only one log for this color. Ensure that the log is not too thin so as not to pull apart easily. Place aside the small log (this time make sure the thickness is slightly thinner than the pencil) for use later. Follow the same process for the other fimo colors, red and green, but make three logs for these.

After the logs are made, it’s time to shape them like a prism (not a triangle). How to make fimo beads with this shape is simple. Simply place the logs on a flat surface, one by one, and pinch the fimo using the pointer finger and thumb in order to mold it into a small triangle. Once the prisms are ready, press the base of the green prisms around the yellow log to firmly attach it, making sure the spaces are equal between the rest of the prisms. Then press the base of the red prisms on the spaces not occupied by the green prisms.

We are near the final process on how to make fimo beads. From the new log created, roll it down on a flat surface until the log is smooth. Then prepare a cutting tool. When cutting the fimo into a quarter of an inch thick, roll the fimo while making the cuts to avoid distorting its shape. Use a thick pin to bore a hole across the fimo beads by gently poking the pin on the sides through the middle. The last stage on how to make fimo beads is to place the molded fimo into a baking pan, and baked until sufficiently hard to be strung on a thread.

Glass bead knitting is rapidly emerging as a unique form of art. Many bead artists are crafting glass beads these days either for their own art and jewelry projects, or for their own beading business. They create their own designs by following certain patterns or standards, and many of them use machines for the bead cutting or shaping, while others just do their beading projects by the use of their hands.

Speaking of hands, several glass beads are now produced handmade. These handmade glass beads are said to be more precious than other stones knowing that they are crafted with close attention to details. Just like the rest of the precious beads on earth, the handmade glass beads come in different colors, shapes, sizes, and finishes. They also differ in terms of prices, but they can easily be identified with them being groups into types or categories. The most common types of handmade glass beads include the Millefiori, Czech, lamp work, dichroic glass, and bumpy glass beads. They come in these types for one purpose – to allow the bead artists to choose the materials they think are perfect for their own craft.

How the Handmade Glass Beads are made?

The handmade glass beads are crafted in different ways though, depending on what the artisans prefer. Typically, the glass is first heated to a particular temperature to melt. The melting process is very much important as it is what allows the artisans to form their own bead shapes and layers. But to be able to do this, the glass should be held over a burning flame. The result of this melting and shaping process is basically what determines the type of the handmade glass beads.

For instance, the handmade lamp work glass beads are created with decorations that are raised. It is also typical for this type to feature dots and bumps, as well as feathery figures that are sparkling. They also have foils inside, or other applied decorations for enhanced looks or appearance. The appearance of the lamp work glass beads are also enhanced with the colors combinations and textures available for these items. They are even added with certain sequins and embroidery designs by most artisans to create a wonderfully built handmade glass beads.

Where to Find Handmade Glass Beads?

As an emerging art, it’s no surprise for the handmade glass beads to come in massive numbers. They are now available on the market at varying prices. You can find them either offline or online with lots of bead stores available out there for you to consider. If you are the type who wants to be trendy, searching online can be one of the most worthy things you can do. After all, the handmade glass beads are offered by almost a hundred beading stores on the net these days. All you have to do to find the best portals and the right materials is to exert enough effort and time in doing your search.