Okay, so I wanted to make a Burmese jade knotted mala, and let me tell you, it was quite the journey. I’ve always been fascinated by these beautiful prayer beads, and Burmese jade is just stunning. So, I decided, why not give it a go myself?
First things first, I needed to gather my materials. I ordered some genuine Burmese jade beads online – making sure they were the real deal was super important. I opted for these lovely, round 8mm beads in a deep green color. Then, I got some sturdy nylon cord that matched the jade nicely. Oh, and of course, I needed a guru bead and a tassel to finish it off. I found a beautiful silver guru bead and a silk tassel that I thought would look perfect.
Once everything arrived, I laid it all out on my table. It looked pretty, but I was a bit intimidated, to be honest. I’d watched a bunch of videos online, but doing it yourself is always a different story. I started by measuring out the cord. I wanted a standard 108-bead mala, so I cut a long piece, leaving plenty of extra for knotting.
Then came the knotting. This was the tricky part. I decided to go with the traditional overhand knot between each bead. It’s simple in theory, but getting the tension right and the knots consistent took some practice. My first few attempts were, well, let’s just say they weren’t pretty. The knots were loose, the spacing was off, and it just looked messy. I undid everything a couple of times.
- Stringing the beads was actually the easiest part. I just slipped them onto the cord one by one, making sure to keep the pattern consistent.
- I kept at it, knotting and re-knotting. Slowly but surely, I started to get the hang of it. My fingers ached, and my eyes were tired, but I was determined to make it work.
- Adding the guru bead was a special moment. It symbolized the completion of the mala, and it felt really satisfying to thread it onto the cord.
Finally, after hours of work, I tied off the last knot and attached the tassel. Holding the finished mala in my hands was such a great feeling. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine, and I’d made it with my own hands. The jade felt cool and smooth against my skin, and the weight of it was comforting.
My Mala Making Result
I’ve been using my mala for a few weeks now, and I love it. It’s a beautiful reminder to slow down, breathe, and be present. Plus, it’s a pretty cool conversation starter. If you’re thinking about making your own mala, I say go for it! It’s a challenging but rewarding experience. Just be prepared to be patient and persistent, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. It is the process that counts, I think.
