How these beads are made

Each strand of Seeds of Kindness beads is unique, no two are alike. We have never made the same strand twice. Each strand has four main beads, and these represent the four wishes of loving-kindness meditation: May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be peaceful, may you be safe. As we string, we repeat these wishes, infusing the beads with our compassion and best wishes for you the recipient and for all beings. Beads are not magic, but it is our belief that kindness is, and these beads are a physical representation of the energies of goodwill and compassion. We encourage you to also infuse the beads with your loving kindness, whether they are for your own use or are to be given as a gift. Hold them as you meditate or pray for yourself or a friend. Or simply ask from your heart that these beads be a symbol of love and peace. There is no right or wrong way to bless a physical object. The power of blessing comes from your intention.

We use many types of beads: glass, crystal, lampwork (a process similar to blowing glass), polymer, seeds, bone, wood, semiprecious stones, natural stone, manmade stone (goldstone, for example), enhanced (dyed) stone, base metals and precious metals. Some of the beads we use are simple, some are ornate; some are beautifully ordinary, some are rather rare.

We enjoy the symbolism of stones (for example, rose quartz for love or fluorite for physical healing), but we do not choose the beads we use for specific symbolic reasons. We always choose them for their beauty and interest. We often use simple amulets and charms, ones with universal meanings. Keys represent new openings, stars represent light and hope, and hearts represent the compassion that is the foundation of loving-kindness meditation. We encourage you to look up the meanings of any stones or amulets that you are drawn to. That can often deepen their significance for you. Following are some good web sites and a good book about the history, healing properties, symbolism, and mythology of gemstones:

Jewelry Supplier www.jewelrysupplier.com
Rings and Things www.rings-things.com/gemstone/index/html
Africa John’s www.africajohns.com/glossaryA_H.htm
Lucky Gemstones www.luckygemstones.com
Amerindea www.crystal-cure.com/gemstone-meanings.html
a good book: Healing Crystals and Gemstones by Florda Peschek-Bohmer and Gisela Schreiber
a good web search site for prayer beads http://sacredstrands.gotop100.com