| why a custom, handmade rosary? the true power of the rosary lies in meditation of the mysteries. while rosary beads originated as a means to keep track of how many prayers had been said, with the introduction of the mysteries, the beads themselves became an aid to meditation (as well as a way to keep count). meditation is difficult. many outside influences can break our rhythm and our concentration. but the physical design of the rosary helps us to stay on track by the movement from bead to bead. since this tactile interaction with the beads allows us to "forget" what number of prayer we are on, it follows that much of our ability to reach a meditative state depends on the beads themselves. from the way the rosary is constructed to the actual materials used, many aspects of how your rosary is made can enhance your ability to meditate. the feel of the beads in your fingers, the ease of moving through a single decade, and even the transitions between decades is very important for the ultimate meditative experience. similarly, symbolism of color or shape can also help put you in the correct frame of mind for your meditations, whether it be during the rosary or other bead prayers like chaplets. all of my rosaries and chaplets are made by hand with the finest materials available. i try to create pieces that will enhance the practice of meditation by using beads of different sizes, textures and colors depending on the method of prayer for which they were created. for instance, in rosaries, my Our Father beads are often larger and more ornate, something for the fingers to focus on as you begin to meditate on the next mystery. so take time to consider some of the possibilites below and browse my gallery of rosaries and chaplets for specific applications of these meditation enhancers. Should you decide you would like to order a design in the gallery or work with me to create a custom rosary or chaplet, please use this link to contact me. |
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beads
when considering beads, there are several major factors. first is bead size; i usually use smaller Hail Mary beads and slightly larger Our Father beads to set a definite rhythm to the medatative aspect of the rosary. most commercial rosaries use beads that are all the same size, relying on the chain link between decades to set the rhythm of prayer. second is bead shape; ask yourself if you prefer a smooth, round bead or a fancier faceted bead. consider also if you like your beads to be a consistent shape (such as perfectly round) or a more natural, tumbled type. the natural, tumbled bead makes for a new and interesting tactile sensation for each prayer and lends a more original and handmade look to your rosary. third is bead material; beads can be made of almost any type of material, from hard plastic to carved wood, smooth seeds, glass, semi-precious gemstones, metal or even shell. when choosing, think about how you want your rosary to feel in your hand -- warm and textured? choose materials like seeds, wood or bone. prefer your beads to be cool and smooth to the touch? choose materials like metal, glass, shell, pearls or semi-precious stones. some natural beads also have symbolic properties that can help us meditate more fully. consider for instance, my bloodstone chaplet of the five wounds. the chaplet consists of the standard medals for meditating on each of Christ's wounds, but instead of plain round beads, i've chosen elongated rectangles made of bloodstone, a semi-precious stone that, in medieval times, was thought to have been made by drops of Christ's blood in the earth (hence the red spots or inclusions in the otherwise greenish stone.) for me, each bead (and thus each prayer said during meditation on the wound) is itself a small microcosm of Christ's passion. |
 Ave Maris Stella Hail Star of the Sea! |
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finally, consider bead color & finish; obviously there are literally hundreds of bead colors to choose from. if you like, you can choose different colors for each decade or one color for hail marys and another for our fathers. also consider whether you prefer opaque beads or beads with more translucence. if you are using natural beads, such as wood, shell, bone or semi-precious stones, your choice is limited to that natural finish, but glass beads offer several finishes. Fire-polished glass beads have a hard, shiny clear finish, while aurora borealis glass beads have a hard, shiny reflective finish that simulates the colors of the rainbow when held to the light.
when considering color, also think of the symbolism of your rosary. for instance, most first communion rosaries are white for girls and black for boys. similarly, most wedding rosaries are white, symbolizing the bride's purity. chaplets in particular often use color symbolically: for instance, the divine mercy chaplet is often made with red beads to symbolize Christ's most precious blood. the chaplets of St. Therese and St. Rita are often made with beads that are made from actual roses, or are red and scented with rose oil because of the saints' associations with roses. scriptural rosary beads centerpieces crucifixes |
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