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About GiGi Beads
  • Feature Article 10 May 2002
         (Easton Express-Times)

    Lampwork Beads

    Hand-Crafted Jewelry

    Prayer Beads

  • Anglican Prayer Beads for Adults
  • Anglican Prayer Beads for Children
  • Chaplets for Adults
  • Miracle/Healing Prayer Beads
  • Noah's Arc Series
  • Prayer Bracelets
  • Psalm 23 Prayer Beads
  • The Saints Series
  • How to use the Prayer Beads
         (with suggested prayers)
  • Roman Catholic Rosaries

    Custom Orders

    How to order

    Gallery

    Links
    • How to make
    Prayer Beads
    Ecumenical/Anglican

    In an effort to share in this ministry, information on how to string prayer beads and where to obtain supplies is offered for your use.

    Tools and Supplies List
    (See below for list of suggested suppliers)
    • Bead Board or Cloth
    • Jeweler's Wire (I suggest Beadalon® or Acculon®)
    • 1 Crimp Bead
    • Crimping Pliers
    • Wire cutter
    • 5 beads to use as Invitatory and Cruciform Beads
    • 28 smaller beads to use as Week Beads
    • Assorted small accent beads and/or seed beads
    • Cross
    Pray while stringing

    • First, arrange your beads on a cloth or bead board. The actual beads for prayers are shown in the diagram. Add spacer beads and decorative accents as you would like. Choose your spacer and accent beads carefully, remembering that the stringing material will need to go through the beads doubled at the end of the process, and 4 times through the bead next to the cross.
    • Now, either tape one end of your wire to your work table, or put a clip on one end to make sure that you don't loose the beads as you string them. (This is an important step…do not skip it, or you are likely to be chasing beads around the room.)
    • You'll begin stringing with the first week, but the first cruciform bead won't go on until the end. I usually ask the Lord to be present as I begin and offer prayers specifically for the person for whom I am making the prayer beads as I string the first week. I devote the second week to prayers for those closest to me (family and friends). The third week is devoted to the needs of those in my community and the fourth week to prayers for the nation and the world.
    • Begin by stringing on spacers, then the first seven week beads. Use enough spacers between the beads that someone praying with them can easily tell where the next bead is by touch.
    • Add a few more spacers, then string on a cruciform bead. It is helpful to add extra spacers to each side of the cruciform bead to set it off, especially if it's similar to the week beads.
    • Continue until you have four sets of seven beads and three cruciform beads. Add the same number of spacers to the end as you did to the beginning. Stop and check your work. Count the beads.
    • Now, carefully unclip the end of your wire and, holding both ends so that the beads don't slip off, bring the two ends even with each other, the spacers being even and the tails about the same length.
    • You're almost done. At this point, you might offer prayers of Thanksgiving.
    • String on the first cruciform bead, a set of spacers, and the invitatory bead. They are strung on both tails of the wire.
    • Add (in this order) a large hole bead, a crimp bead and the cross. Bring the double strand of wire back through the crimp bead and the large hole bead, forming a loop for the cross. If possible string back through the invitatory bead and a few spacer beads; but they may be too small. Pull the end tight and crimp the bead. Cut off any extra wire close to the beads. As I do these finishing steps, I usually pray for the person who will be using these beads.
    Remember to say a prayer for the person who will be using the beads, even if it's you.
    . . .Or especially if it's you.
    Suggested Sources for Supplies