Making Rosaries and Other Jewelry

I really admire my friends who can sew and knit and take wonderful pictures and design vinyl wall art and do other talented things. I wish I could do all these things; I love being creative and making things with my hands! I remember going into the doctors' office when I was pregnant with some of my children and watching the ladies knit and crochet while they waited, and my empty hands itched to be doing something, too. Since I could neither knit nor crochet, I thought of something else I could do: make rosaries. I began taking my pliers, wire, and beads, and I started working on rosaries as I waited. It was a good conversation starter.
I used to really enjoy making rosaries and other jewelry, and I think I’m ready to dust off my beads and creativity and get back at it. The other day, I took inventory of my supplies and discovered that I have lots beautiful beads just begging to be made into a present for someone! I plan to make a few items with what I have on hand, maybe try to sell them so that I can order some supplies to make more, and maybe even take some orders for Christmas (or baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, etc.) if anyone is interested. I'll post pictures as I go.

In the meantime, I would like to share some pictures of things I have made in the past (click to see more detail)...

I made this “Noah’s Ark” themed rosary for my goddaughter for her baptism. The ave beads are different shades of aventurine. The sterling silver pater beads are imprinted with images of a dove, moon, star, ladybug, and cat. The crucifix and center are also sterling silver. This was one of my all-time favorites.	This mother-of-pearl and cloisonne rosary was a Christmas gift for my mother-in-law a few years ago.
Here is the one that I currently carry in my purse. It is made of glass pearl beads and pewter crucifix, center, and bead caps. (I usually try to carry pretty but inexpensive rosaries with me. In the past when someone has shown an interest in having a rosary, I have handed them mine and then made myself another one later.)	Made similar to the previous one, except that I used black dyed fossil beads. This is the one that Sunshine carries.
This is one that I had originally made to sell, but Mojo took a liking to it. The beads are glass, and the center and crucifix are base metal. Some that I’ve sold:	One of the ones I used to carry in my purse. This “Our Lady of Guadalupe” rosary was made with tiger-skin jasper ave beads, silver-plated rose pater beads, and an enameled crucifix and center.

I have also made other jewelry, including baby/children’s bracelets, mothers’ bracelets, birthstone bracelets, and necklaces.

This “remembrance” bracelet was for a friend who had lost her baby girl through miscarriage.	Gemstone flowers necklace, a birthday gift for a friend.
Gemstone nursing necklaces give easily-distracted babies something to fiddle with while they are breastfeeding. It also keeps toddlers busy in church.	I wore this nursing necklace when Caveman was a baby. It was long enough to slip over my head, but had a magnetic clasp in case he pulled on it too hard.
Sterling silver and swarovski crystal.	Glass beads and pewter.

Thanks for looking. I am hoping to post newer creations soon!