Japa 'muttering' mala 'garland' are used in buddhist and hindu traditions for the recitation of mantra. They typically consist of 108 beads - double the number of letters in the Sanskrit alphabet - with a Sumeru or Guru bead in the centre and a tassel below.
Rosary or 'rosarium' in Latin comes from the word for 'rose garden'. A rosary is a string of beads traditionally used in the catholic tradition as well as non-denominational traditions of mother goddess devotion (see Way of the Rose), to pray specific prayers such as the 'Our Father' and the 'Hail Mary'.

A selection of handmade and repurposed beads arranged to honour and embody the beauty of natural forms.
To order a set of beads, use the contact form or message me on Facebook or Instagram. All beads are sold by custom order.
Traditional japamala - recitation garland - made with wood or seeds, knotted and tassled.
Seed beads from India, hand-strung and knotted by Shalome
Sandalwood (light brown / sand colour) beads handmade in India, hand-strung and knotted by Shalome
Rosewood (dark brown) beads handmade in India, hand-strung and knotted by Shalome
Ebony (black) beads handmade in India, hand-strung and knotted by Shalome
Traditional and non-traditional rosaries.
Handmade flower petal beads, unsealed, threaded in a traditional rosary arrangement
A non-traditional rosary may consist of different numbers of praying beads than a traditional rosary, or in different number groupings in order to represent prayers specific to a person, place or theme.
Handmade seed beads threaded in a traditional rosary arrangement.
Chaplet made from handcrafted flower petal beads.
Drop earrings made from flower petal beads, recycled glass beads, wooden beads, or seed beads.
Flower petal beads arranged with shell, wood, glass or clay beads.
Seed beads arranged with glass or on their own.
Small slabs of locally gathered wood or beads.
Clay beads made by a local maker, wooden beads handcrafted by Shalome.
All items handmade on Wadawurrung country with ethically sourced materials.