My name is Samantha, I started creating because I felt a strong affinity for certain stones and wanted a way to keep them close to me to use and help deepen my meditation practice. That has slowly began to move me to create pieces for others made with love and intention. My goal is to creat a pice of jewelry that will help remind and inspire the wearer of their intention and deepen self awareness.

A Mala also known as prayer beads or meditation beads worn and used to help keep track of a mantra during mantra meditation, also known as Japa Meditation.

There are 108 beads on Mala plus one additional bead known as the guru bead. This guru bead is also known as the thankful bead. When you reach the guru bead you know your 108 mantras are complete and at this time you thank your teacher for all the knowledge they have bestowed to you in your practice, and at this time you can complete your meditation or continue by turning the Mala in your fingers and go back in the direction which you came. You should try not to cross the guru bead as it is considered disrespect to your teacher. It is traditional to hold the bead between your thumb and middle finger and roll it back and forth while repeating and feeling into your mantra, and not with the index finger as that finger represents the ego and the element of fire and therefore that energy should be avoided being placed on your Mala beads.

Why the knots?
Each bead is between a knot on the top and bottom as a reminder of where you fall in human existence, between the earth and the sky, this helps to bring you into the present moment as you roll the bead through your fingers repeating your mantra. Each knot is where intention is infused into the Mala as I repeat the mantra and intention as I knot each one. The knot seals the intention and holds the energy and intention.

Why 108?
Well there are many interpretations of why there is 108 beads on a Mala, it's is thought that there are 108 vices that the soul must over come to achieve enlightenment or awakening and each bead is representation of each. It has also been thought that 108 is the maximum number of breaths a person takes in a day that will lead them to enlightenment.
In relation to time, The distances between the Sun and the Earth, the distances between the Moon and the Earth, the way the planet rotates and the impact it has – all these things have been looked at with great care. The diameter of the Sun multiplied by 108 equals the distance between Sun and Earth, and the diameter of the Moon multiplied by 108 equals the distance between Earth and Moon. The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. That is why we have 108 beads in a mala.

The other is that 1 is representative of the earth , the 0 represents you and the 8 is infinite for everything else in the universe. It is open to many interpretations but this one happens to be my favorite.

I also place counter beads, meaning a bead of different texture every 27th bead to allow the yogi the ability to keep track where they are during mantra meditation and a reminder to return to the mantra of mind wandering has occurred.


Materials

Malas can be made of most any type of bead, I choose to work with semi precious stones, rudraksha, lava beads, lotus seeds, wood and bodhi seed beads and infuse them together for a unique design depending on the intentions of the particular Mala. Between Each bead is a knot with intention and a mantra for that particular Mala. I also sage and bless each one so it is ready to be activated by the wearers energy. I used either silk or Nylon cord depending on the stones used in the Mala. I use only the highest quality stones and beads gathered from around the world, purchased from an antique bead shop right here in old town San Diego and I also have a few distributors in India and Nepal where I receive harder to find seed beads from. I purchase many of my silver charms and pendants from other Etsy sellers as I choose to support other small local businesses.



I love making Malas and Jewlery, for me it is part of my Meditation practice helping me to realize the reality of impermanence and helps practice my mindfulness. I feel
Blessed to be able to share this with others. All of my Malas can be worn as necklaces or wrap bracelets for easy use.

I feel truly grateful for the opportunity to create something you will love and use to help remind you of your own personal intentions.