My favorite hobby? Making prayer bead sets and prayer bracelets. This is what my web site has to say about them:
Meditation and Prayer Bead Sets
Beads, stones, knots in string have all been used as aids in meditation and prayer. The act of counting beads while reciting a mantra or prayer can help the mind focus on the act or the process of meditation or prayer. It keeps us in a rhythm and aids in keeping the mind from wandering. This is a process of 'mindful prayer' or meditation or mindful contemplation.
Meditation and prayer beads can come in all sizes and shapes depending on the materials used. I make several types of bead sets, depending upon whether the use is for a meditational aid or whether a more prayerful or Christian use is needed.
Both sets are based along the same design but the icon or charm attached to the bead set can differ upon the users' needs.
The Basic Design
An icon (such as the Christian cross), charm or fetish (such as an animal totem) is first on the chain or bracelet. It is followed by an invitatory bead or focusing bead. There are four groups of seven beads. These groups are divided by a large cruciform or week bead. The seven beads represent the days of the week. The number seven also represents spiritual perfection. The four beads can represent either cruciform (the cross) beads or the four gospels, or may symbolize the four seasons of the year, the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west), or the four primary elements (Earth, Water, Fire and Wind).
There is no right or wrong way to use the beads. Use the Jesus Prayer if you'd like: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." You may repeat this as many times as you wish or you may make up or recite other prayers, words, thoughts as you wish. Personal mantras, personal contemplations or meditations may be substituted.
)
)
)
)
) 