A String and a Prayer: How to Make and Use Prayer Beads

Anyone who loves to work with beads & make personal gifts

I found this book to be both helpful in creating my own personal prayer beads, and also very empowering and liberating to my creativity. Although it discusses spiritual matters, it also addresses them in a playful way that makes spirituality more appealing.

I think this book is probably most helpful if you are already familiar with meditative prayer, using beads or not. Selecting the beads and resources (or finding you already have them, as I did today after getting the book as a gift) and making the beaded object are all parts of a prayer in themselves. When you come back to the object you have created, you are aware of the process and the feelings you put into the work and can call these up again--either in actual prayers you have memorized or which come to you at the time *or* simply in holding the beads and moving them through your fingers. If you assign a special prayer purpose to each bead (red bead = pray for your mother or whatever) then you may use the beads with a prayer for each one like a traditional Catholic or Anglican rosary. But making the beaded piece itself creates a prayerful mood you have access to when you use it--or which you can explain to others if the piece is a gift.

this is an easy to follow wonderful journey --- a mantra in itself - to be read over and over --- a treasure in the library of life --- peace --- rv

I found Eleanor's book to be very inspirational. Her prayer shawls are outstanding.

I originally bought this book hoping to find new styles, patterns, and detailed instructions to make the traditional Catholic style rosary.....however, what I ended up with was a wonderful tool explaining the meaning of rosaries and the spiritual significance and prayerful practice of making 'non-traditional' rosaries (Malas, Rosary Bracelets, Rosary Shawls, etc.).Recommended for anyone who loves working with beads and incorporating beadwork into their spiritual practices. Few photographs (black & white only) and some crudely drawn (but user friendly) diagrams scarttered throughout the book. A good book for beginners, but advanced and professional Rosary Artisans may find this reading dreadfully dull.Overall, I enjoyed the book. I paid full price, but would definately recommend buying it 2nd hand or when it is on sale!