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z. Pearl Rosary – Pearls of Wisdom (CH0139)

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

pearl rosary ch0139-000

“Pearls of Wisdom” – Akoya Pearls Handmade Rosary (ch0139)

Akoya Pearl Rosary: From the deep sea beds of the oceans to the merging of Swarovski incomparable perfection, Pearls of Worship rosary is crafted in holy homage to the enduring calmness and piety that prayers and rosaries bring.

Materials

  • Akoya pearls
  • Swarowski large perfection pears (bronze 10mm)
  • Naturally formed pearl cross, topped with Sterling Silver and a dollop of sapphire
  • Wire hand-chained together with pure 0.925 Sterling Silver
  • Sterling Silver central connector (Jesus in a heart)

56cm – laid out straight (including cross)

Note that this was originally published in an old blog (http://clearlyhelena.blogspot.com.au/) which is now no longer maintained.  I am including it here for the sake of completeness.

Status: Not Available (MS)

 

Z.Handmade Crosses – Beaded

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Pendants, Rosaries/Crosses

This here is just a random collection of beaded handmade crosses I made from a long time ago. Beaded in what I then called the “capture weave” – where each round bead is captured in bead weaving and then joined together.  The joints are reinforced later with extra thread throughs.

handmade-crosses-cc0054-000

Collection of beaded handmade crosses (CCOO54)

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zz.RAW Beaded Cross – How To

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Handmade Crosses, HOW TO, Rosaries/Crosses

This is not a full tutorial on how to make a beaded cross in Right Angle Weave (RAW).  Rather it is an overview with brief descriptions which is meant to provide avenues of possibilities.  It does have enough description to provide technique ideas and how to guide on making a beaded cross.

 

RAW Beaded Cross (i)

This handmade cross is done in RAW (Right Angle Weave). I have used light blue 4mm bicone crystals. Once the RAW beaded cross is done, then the seed beads are sewn in a “X” structure over the surface of the cross.

 

Create Strength and Rigidity

Instead of using beading thread, I have used thin wire (0.25mm gauge) to do the RAW as well as to sew the seed beads with.  This gives more strength and rigidity to the overall cross.  I then finished off with a simple beaded bail, using the same thin wire.

RAW Beaded Cross

RAW Beaded Cross

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z.Chainmail Cross – How To

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Handmade Crosses, HOW TO, Rosaries/Crosses

I was constantly running out of crosses once I started making my own rosaries. So I thought figure out how to make some of my own handmade crosses (in 2011).  Here is a succinct how-to on making some chainmail crosses.

 

A. Handmade Crosses – Wire Wrapped and Chainmail Cross

Wire Wrapped and ChainMail Cross

I used Byzantine weave to first create the chainmail cross. I am not sure if I should still call it the Byzantine Weave as I modified it by making it a tight Byzantine weave.  It then has more solidity and rigidity. (For more information, see B. ChainMail Cross below).

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z.Pearl and Crystal Rosary

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

This handmade crystal rosary is made with clear Swarovski crystals and Swarovski pearls.  The cross is also handmade from the same clear Swarovski crystals with a genuine Swarovski headpin.  The headpin is topped with a clear Swarovski crystal, giving a shiny sparkle at the bottom of the cross.

The two photos below show a full view of the crystal rosary.  This rosary has a purity that is both soothing and cleansing.

Swarovski Crystal Rosary

Swarovski Crystal Rosary (CH0196)

 

Crystal Rosay - full view

Crystal Rosary – full view

 

Handmade Crystal Cross

Swarovski crystal headpin is used to give strength as well as an extra sparkle to the end of the cross.  I have only used closed jump rings for reliable security.

Handmade Crystal Cross

Handmade Crystal Cross

 

Details of Connections and Links

7mm wire is used (silver plated over brass).  Close jumprings are 7mm, outer diameter with a 1.2mm gauge.

Crystal Rosary - links

Crystal Rosary – links

 

Rosary Center

I used a Swarovski metal filigree as the rosary center.

Swarovski rosary center

Swarovski rosary center

 

More Detailed Photos of the Pearl and Crystal Rosary

 

Materials Used

  • Swarovski Crystals – clear, 6mm
  • Swarovski Pearls – White, 6mm
  • Swarovski Round Filigree – clear crystal
  • Wire – silver plated over brass, 7mm dia
  • Jump rings (closed) – silver plated over brass, 7mm outer diameter with 1.2mm wire gauge

 

 

z.Hematite Rosary and Cross (CH0216)

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

Handmade Hematite Rosary and Cross

A hematite rosary is especially valued for its soothing, calming, and healing qualities.  It is the hematite gemstone that is said to inherently possess and exude these qualities.  Because of or quite apart from these metaphysical qualities, I must say that there is an undeniably soothing to hold a hematite rosary in one’s hand. Here, this is enhanced by the polished surface and smooth roundness of the hematite beads.

Handmade hematite rosary

Handmade hematite rosary (CH0216)

 

Materials Used

  • polished round hematite beads (4mm, 6mm)
  • double-sided rosary center (Sacred Heart, Virgin Mary) in alloy metal
  • wire (silver plated over brass; Lead and Nickel Free)
  • headpins (silver plated over copper)

 

Double-Sided Rosary Center

 

Handmade Hematite Cross

The cross here is made with wire coiling and wire wrapping.  I rather love the uncomplicated simplicity of this cross.  It is probably one of the easiest custom handmade crosses to create.

 

 

I intend to make more of these.  Not the same of course.  But definitely a hematite rosary.  I love the calming feel of them.

Created: Oct 2011

Addendum 01 Jan 2021

In response to a reader’s query, this is the finding I used as the horizontal cross bar for this Hematite rosary.  It is strong and sturdy, 22-23mm (just less than 1 inch across), and features a single hole in the center.  I am sorry, this was so long ago that I don’t remember who the supplier was.  I suspect it was BeadSmith but I can’t be sure.

 

 

 

 

zzz.Lookback on Handmade Crosses and Rosary Stuff

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

These batch of handmade rosaries and rosary accessories were made quite a while ago when I was going through a period of rosary-making.  (Boy, that was fun!)

handmade crosses

Lookback at some handmade crosses & rosary stuff (CH0299/A-G)

I have just come across these old photos I took.  I can’t say I remember how I made every one of them. Having photos can help trigger memories, or even better, new ideas.  So rather than hitting the delete button, I have included these photos here.

A. Swarovski & Chainmaille Rosary Cross

handmade cross

Handmade Cross with Swarovski in Chainmail (A)

This chainmaille Swarovski cross has a solid strong body. The tightness of the jumprings together helps to give it body.  The Swarovski beads and Swarovski rose montee are wire woven on (which helps with the rigidity as well).

Via the detailed photos from the photos, you can see that I have also attached Swarovski chaton monies at the arm and foot ends of the cross.

You might want to read more on how to make chainmail cross.

B. RAW Handmade Cross

Crystal Handmade Cross

Crystal Handmade Cross (B)

RAW (Right Angle Weave) is a very useful beading weave for creating crosses.  A number of the crosses on this page has been done in this weave.

Both of these handmade crosses below have also been made with RAW. (Back shown is also done in Right Angle Weave.)

You can read more on how to make RAW beaded cross for more details.

C. Handmade Rod and Hematite Cross

Rod and Hematite Handmade Cross

Rod and Hematite Handmade Cross (C)

This is a very nice looking kind of cross and one of the easiest to make – as long as you have the appropriate rod findings to give it structure and support.

I love the cross bar here which is a finding imported from BeadSmith (America). It goes very well with the hematite gemstones – which always feels very good in rosaries.

ADDITIONAL HOW-TOs:
See Handmade Hematite Rosary for all the details on the making of this cross into an elegant rosary.

Pearl & Crystal Rosary shows an alternative use of these cross bar rods – producing a similar but different style.

D. Chainmaille Cross

This chainmaille cross is not only fun to make but a very interesting cross.  It is fully “floppy” – i.e. not rigid and provides a very tactile, kinesthetic experience that is, in itself, very satisfying and comforting.

Handmade Cross in Chainmaille

Handmade Cross in Chainmaille (D)

Rosary Center in Chainmaille

Rosary Center in Chainmaille (D)

This was made into a Hematite and Moonstone Rosary. There are many more photos with description on the making of the rosary. (Yippee! I had forgotten I actually had written up those notes.  What a good girl I was!)<

E. Swarovski, Rod, and Wire Wrapped Cross

This handmade cross was and remains one of my favourites.

Swarovski Handmade Cross in Wire Wrapping

Swarovski Handmade Cross in Wire Wrapping (E)

Swarovski crystals are clustered and wrapped around a 5-hole, high grade metal rod.  Beads are wound around to create the cross using fine wire.

Swarovski Handmade Cross in Wire Wrapping

Swarovski Handmade Cross in Wire Wrapping

This particular cross was made into a Rosary for Mommy. It was complete with gemstones, Sterling Silver, more Swarovski, and even if I do say so myself, it is lovely and lovable!

You can find more detailed instructions on how to wire wrap cross here.

Created: 2011
Materials:

  • various

z.Hematite and Moonstone Rosary

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

Hematite and Moonstone Rosary with Chainmail Cross

I made this for a special someone.  His birthday was coming up.  He seemed to like Hematite rosaries. Very wise of him because hematite gemstone is a stone that is ideal for meditation, prayers, forgiveness, and healing.

Materials Used:

  • Hematite Beads – round, polished, 6mm
  • Moonstone Beads – round, 6mm
  • Wire & Jump Rings – silver plated over brass; lead & nickel free
Hematite and Moonstone Rosary

Hematite and Moonstone Rosary (CH0217/al)

 

Handmade Chainmail Cross

Around that time, I had been trying to figure out how to make different types of handmade crosses.  I stumbled on the making of this during my experimentation phase.

This is a chainmail cross.

Handmade Chainmail Cross

Handmade Chainmail Cross

 

This chainmail cross retains its shape but is also very flexible.  Quite fascinating to feel. Very suitable for a kinesthetic person.

Click here for full details on how to make the flexible chainmail cross.

 

Chainmail Rosary Center

I also made the rosary center with chainmail. This was adapted from the Japanese Flower chainmail technique.  (I just did not join to form a closed round. This way, it can form a triangle instead.) The center is a washer.  Nice ain’t it? 😉

Chainmail Rosary Center

Chainmail Rosary Center

 

Links in Hematite and Moonstone Rosary

I created these links for good security and to ensure it was kink-free.

 

Created: Oct 2011

 

Z.Rosary for Mom (CH0539)

by Filed Under: CREATIONS, Rosaries/Crosses

Handmade rosaries are often made with lots of love and faith.  This Rosary for Mom is made with more than the usual love and faith.

Handmade Rosary for Mom

Handmade Rosary for Mom

This is a re-posting from 2011.  (Part of moving hosting and website platforms.) I made my first rosary in 2011 and discovered the soothing joy of making rosaries.

2011 was an exceptionally hard year, financially.  So I resorted to making my own gift for a very special person, rather than going out to buy one.  This Rosary for Mom is extra special as the recipient is undoubtedly extra special.

This is also the first time I tried my hand at making my own cross. I wanted the cross to match the rosary.  I also wanted a cross that had sparkle.

All in all, I hope my special Mom loves this rosary as much as I enjoyed making it for her.

Rosary for Mom – Work Details

I chose to work with Fluorite gemstones.  My mom loves violets, purples, and mauve hues.  These little fluorite gemstones are tumbled. They are delightfully smooth and round.  They also feel delicate and peaceful.

I matched the fluorite gemstones with Swarovski Crystal Pearls (Burgundy, 6mm).

And I used the last of my Sterling Silver rosary center for a crisp, clear complement to the piece.

Rosary for Mom with Sterling Silver rosary center

Rosary for Mom with Sterling Silver rosary center

 

Handmade Cross

For the cross, I used:

  • Swarovski #5328 XILION bicone (4mm – Violet Opal, Cyclamen Opal)
  • Swarovski #5328 XILION bicone (2.5mm – Clear) for wrapping around the cross

 

As I mentioned before, this is my first attempt at creating an “elaborate” customized cross. Quite happy with the outcome.  I know I still have much to learn and improve on for my next attempts.

The back of the cross shows the details of the wire coiling I employed.  It also shows the wire wrapping with those tiny Swarovski beads.

 

Rosary Links

The links in this rosary are done in “open loops”.  This ensures a smooth, rink-resistant chain.

 

Sidenote: In the past, I have usually used the fully coiled loop – i.e. each loop is fully closed by wrapping the wire at least twice around to finish off. However even though that method is much more secure, it does have a tendency to kink. A bit annoying for the user.

Happy Birthday Mommy, 2011

I Love You

Rosary for Mom

Rosary for Mom

 

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