Mala Beads

So as a keen Yoga enthusiasts, aspiring meditator and most things spiritual I've discovered mala beads. I love a spiritual connection associated with pieces of jewellery, spiritual or even practical, and as soon as I heard about mala beads (or mediation or Japa beads), I was instantly intrigued. 

These beads are commonly used by Buddhists during chanting, repeating mantras and meditaion, usually consisting of 108 beads, with each bead representing a repition of a mantra. Malas can come in vaious materials according to what you want them to be used for. For example, wooden beads are generally used for a variety of mantras, and even specific wooden beads from specific types of tree serve their own purpose.

So whilst in Thailand I knew I really wanted to find one. At first I didnt see any at all (not sure what I expected really), but after a night out on our way home in a taxi, I noticed the driver had in fact had the beads hanging from his mirror. After a few attempts at trying to communicate with him as to where he got them, he finally understood what I meant and said 'Temple'. So, off we went to the temple the next day for some sightseeing, and I was really hoping I would find them! Low and behold next to the Giant Buddhas was a little shop selling religious pieces, run by a monk who randomly and kindly gave my boyfriend and I some friendship looking bracelets for good luck.

Anyhoo, I finally found my beads which has taken pride of place on my own buddha, (naturally).

Thailand

I've just come back from my holiday in Thailand couple of days ago and it was well worth the trip! So much gorgeous pieces of jewellery over there, especially beaded pieces sold everywhere from the roadside to independent boutiques to markets stalls. One of my favourite places to shop was at Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok, open Saturdays and Sundays. As we arrived on Saturday, the market was a first venture out on the Sunday morning. The market if huge, 27 acres of practically everything from jewellery, fashion, food, household items to pets! Not only is it huge but extremely hot and quite busy so it is quite difficult and I thought almost impossible to cover it all in one day without getting disorientated and exhausted! They had some great bead stalls and shops and I stopped off in one in particular and bought a few things. I found the prices not entirely ‘cheap’, but we did haggle a good deal and bought some great strings of beads.

The bead shop I made my pruchases..lots of unique beads..

Turquoise is quite popular over there in terms of beading so most jewellery pieces will incorporate turquoise or red, which are lovely combinations anyway! Here are some of my purchases..

Wish i could've of bought more but unfortunately not only are they not dirt cheap, (they weigh them), but my luggage allowance probably wouln't allow it. 

Both Bangkok and Koh Samui are great places to shop for gifts, which I did! These buys were mainly from random roadside stalls.

Bracelets with tiny bells on plaited cord

love this large statement piece

Shell pendant

Hand painted wooden bangles

Love this wall art..

Slightly going off the jewellery topic, but in keeping with the art ‘theme’, anyone who knows me really well, knows that I have a thing for collecting ornamental Buddha’s, to the extent where by I’ve managed to gather a small collection of them. Whenever I’m in a shop or a market I always find myself stopping to have an admiring look at a Buddha statue. I’ve accumulated a small number of ‘laughing’ Buddha’s, but my personal favourite are the Thai Buddha’s. I think personally what appeals to me about Buddha artwork are two major factors, the first one being that I just so happen to love what they represent in terms of meditation, serenity, peace and all that good stuff. Secondly I just love the aesthetics of them, from an appreciation perspective of the variety of symbolic mudras, to the bronze, gold or wooden finishing. I’ll be going to Thailand soon, and seeing ancient Buddha statues and authentic artwork in just the cherry on the cake.

My own Thai Buddha

Koh Samui, Thailand