Natural wooden beads are regaining popularity because of their intrinsic beauty. I love the alluring earthy colors of wood, the swirling of the grain, the smooth polish of the surface. Using different kinds of wood you can create simple and uncomplicated designs.
I've always found peace in being outdoors, among the trees. Wood beads capture the graceful nature of the forest; beautiful but with a hint of grit. The colors of these natural strands range from a soft sand to deep rich chocolate brown. Some have the natural wood grain visible (my favorite) and others have smooth darker tones. Pair them with gems, glass, pearls, or mix different shades of the wood together for a down-to-earth look.
Wooden beads have been around for centuries, but it's only in the past few decades that we've been seeing these unique, ancient Tibetan styles becoming part of the mainstream. Mala necklaces and wooden prayer beads featuring tassels and other brightly colored gemstones are part of an ancient system of reverence for natural beauty.
Hindu prayer beads, like mala beads and Buddhist prayer beads, feature 108 counting beads with a guru bead connecting them in the center. The history of these graceful necklaces goes back centuries. The beads help you focus on the prayer without having to keep count so you can practice being aware and present.
I've recently made a collection of Mala beads featuring healing gemstones. It's like sending a personal prayer to someone you care for. By customizing the gems and matching the shades of wood, you're able to tailor the healing vibes to fit the person. Mala beads are used for keeping count while reciting, chanting, or mentally repeating a mantra, wish, or prayer. Why not send a good wish to a friend in need?
Bracelets of wooden beads featuring one special center bead mimic the look of a prayer necklace for an easy gift. Try adding a birthstone, or medicinal healing stone as an added gesture of love! I've even seen these wooden bracelets with one porcelain spirit animal as the center piece! Owls, bears, penguins. SO cute! These bracelets look beautiful stacked together - try using different woods for each bracelet.
Many different woods can be used to make beads. Some you might commonly see include: sandalwood, rosewood, ebony, palmwood, bayong, nangka, whitewood, greywood, redwood, and robles. The wood of these beads is specially chosen for their grain and gorgeous colors. Some woods, like sandalwood, are chosen for their fragrance. When you wear them or touch them, the subtle scent is released for a calming effect. Sandalwood is often used in rosaries for this reason.
Rosewood is a wonderful wood for beads with a pinkish hue and subtle grains that appear when polished or sanded. These beads are famous for their therapeutic qualities as they are said to remove negativity. They're a natural anxiety reliever!
Whether you choose to knot them on silk like the traditional malas, or string them on beading wire or stretchy cord, you are sure to have a piece that will make you happy each time you wear it. Choose the smaller 4-5mm for a more subtle approach or use the larger 12mm wooden beads for a piece with more substance.
By including the natural beauty of wood into your everyday accessories, you'll feel more grounded, more connected to the natural world, and more at peace with yourself and those you love. Fall in LOVE with these natural strands!
Free projects with natural beads: