Okay, so I’ve been seeing these Buddhist mala bracelets everywhere lately, and I got curious. I thought, “Why not try making one myself?” Plus, I wanted something to fidget with during those long Zoom meetings, you know?
First, I gathered all the stuff I needed. I got some wooden beads – I chose sandalwood because I like the smell. Then I found some elastic cord that seemed strong enough. I also picked up a little Buddha charm and a tassel, just to make it look more legit. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but it seemed like a fun project.
- Wooden beads (sandalwood, in my case)
- Elastic cord
- A Buddha charm (optional, but cool)
- A tassel (also optional)
- Scissors
- A needle (maybe, depending on the beads)
The next step was actually stringing the beads. I cut a piece of the elastic cord, making it longer than I thought I needed, just in case. I tied a knot at one end, leaving a bit of a tail. Then I started threading the beads onto the cord. It was kind of relaxing, actually. I decided to go for a simple pattern, just all the beads in a row. I made a complete mess at first. I have to learn how to properly tied the knot.
After all the beads were on, I added the Buddha charm. I just slipped it onto the cord before the last few beads. Then I carefully tied the two ends of the cord together. This was the trickiest part. I pulled it tight and made a few extra knots to be sure it wouldn’t come undone. I had to redo it many times because I want to make it looks perfect.
Finally, I attached the tassel. I looped it through the little space between the last bead and the knot, then tied it on securely. I trimmed the ends of the cord and the tassel to make them look neat.
And… done!
It actually turned out pretty good! It’s not perfect, but I’m happy with it. I’ve been wearing it around, and it’s a nice reminder to take a deep breath and chill out sometimes. Plus, it gives my hands something to do during those boring meetings. It took me a few hours from beginning to end, maybe next time I should try to make one for my friends. Overall, it’s a success for me!
