Mala

As many of you know, I am never without a craft on the go, and for many years I have made jewellery with semi-precious stones and beads, I used to make them to commission and also sell some items at creativity fairs at Findhorn when I lived near Huntly. This turquoise and carnelian 108 bead mala was one of the first things I made, for the second silent meditation retreat I took with Kajedo during his trainings at Newbold House, many years ago. I wore it travelling a few months ago, as, feeling a bit under the weather, I felt I needed reminding to let go of things and keep calm. The Tao had a different teaching on non-attachment for me that day, and whilst uncharacteristically rushing for the airport boarding gate I caught the mala on my case and the beads went spilling all over the gangway floor right by the plane door. My initial urge to swear at myself quickly turned to attempting to salvage as many beads as were to hand, and some kind latecomers helped me too. In the end I collected 103 beads as well as the end bead which is carved with 'long life' in Chinese. During the flight to Gothenburg I calmed myself down, without the aid of my mala, the irony of which was not lost on me.

Now, a few months later, I felt it was time to renew my beads, so yesterday I visited my preferred supplier Beadworks in Covent Garden to replace some of the carnelians and get some other findings and fittings. If anyone would like to commission a mala, some other jewellery, or needs any beads rethreading or other bits fixing, get in touch, as I would be happy to do that, now that I am restocked.