Our Rosaries and Prayer Beads

The Irish Penal Rosary is one of the most popular rosaries at Atelier-Beads. The beads of this version are burnt horn--a very traditional material for Irish rosaries--cut into triangular "window" shapes. Our current version differs from the one shown in that the single Our Father bead is slightly larger in size. The bronze crucifix is very primitive in appearance. It incorporates seven symbols of the Crucifixion on the front and back.

The ring on this Irish Penal Rosary is large enough to accommodate virtually any finger. It is recast in bronze from a very ancient piece that was originally a form of Celtic money or coinage. The rosary is strung on heavy, non-stretch cotton cord in a leather tan.

The Irish Penal Rosary is one of the most popular rosaries at Atelier-Beads. The beads of this version are dyed Kenya cow bone, often called "mudbone." It is a simple, humble material perfect for this style of rosary. Our current version differs from the one shown in that the single Our Father bead is slightly larger in size. The bronze crucifix is very primitive in appearance. It incorporates seven symbols of the Crucifixion on the front and back.

The ring on this Irish Penal Rosary is large enough to accommodate virtually any finger. It is recast in bronze from a very ancient piece that was originally a form of Celtic money or coinage. The rosary is strung on heavy, non-stretch cotton cord in a leather tan. Important: Because the bone beads are a natural material, handcrafted, I am not able to maintain control over their color. While they are always brown, sometimes they are the light brown pictured here, and sometimes they are a much deeper brown--like black coffee.

The Irish Penal Rosary is one of the most popular rosaries at Atelier-Beads. The beads of this version are dyed Kenya cow bone, often called "mudbone." It is a simple, humble material perfect for this style of rosary. Our current version differs from the one shown in that the single Our Father bead is slightly larger in size. The bronze crucifix simple, modern, and beautiful with the figure of Christ raising a hand in blessing.

The ring on this Irish Penal Rosary is large enough to accommodate virtually any finger. It is recast in bronze from a very ancient piece that was originally a form of Celtic money or coinage. The rosary is strung on heavy, non-stretch cotton cord in a leather tan. Important: Because the bone beads are a natural material, handcrafted, I am not able to maintain control over their color. While they are always brown, sometimes they are the light brown pictured here, and sometimes they are a much deeper brown--like black coffee.

Please note also: This rosary was arranged in a circle when it was photographed. Its beads are in a straight line just like the other Irish Penal Rosaries.

The Irish Penal Rosary is one of the most popular rosaries at Atelier-Beads. The beads of this version are burnt horn--a very traditional material for Irish rosaries--cut into triangular "window" shapes. Our current version differs from the one shown in that the single Our Father bead is slightly larger in size. The bronze crucifix simple, modern, and beautiful with the figure of Christ raising a hand in blessing.

The ring on this Irish Penal Rosary is large enough to accommodate virtually any finger. It is recast in bronze from a very ancient piece that was originally a form of Celtic money or coinage. The rosary is strung on heavy, non-stretch cotton cord in a leather tan.

This very simple, affordable Irish Penal Rosary incorporates simple brown bone beads with a plain Celtic cross in tea-dyed bone. The beads are handmade in Kenya and dyed with natural dyes, so their color may vary. The incised bone cross is also handmade.

The ring on this Irish Penal Rosary is large enough to accommodate virtually any finger. It is recast in bronze from a very ancient piece that was originally a form of Celtic money or coinage. The rosary is strung on heavy, non-stretch cotton cord in a leather tan.

This very simple, affordable Irish Penal Rosary incorporates burnt horn beads in a "window" pattern with a plain Celtic cross in tea-dyed bone. The beads are handmade in the Philippines. The bone Celtic cross is handmade and incised with a simple design.

The ring on this Irish Penal Rosary is large enough to accommodate virtually any finger. It is recast in bronze from a very ancient piece that was originally a form of Celtic money or coinage. The rosary is strung on heavy, non-stretch cotton cord in a leather tan.

The uniquely 20th-Century saint, Father Kolbe, is honored in this rosary of strong beads and colors. The Pater beads are andalusite, sometimes called chiastolite. This brownish mineral, when cut correctly, reveals the perfect image of a cross at the center of each piece. These beads are cut into flat, smooth "coin" shapes so that their crosses are revealed on the flat plane of each bead. They are capped with bronze and with small cornerless cube beads in a lighter brown. The Ave beads are wonderful red jasper with deep brown, swirling inclusions. They are symbolic of the red crown of martyrdom.

The bronze center medal of the rosary depicts Father Kolbe standing at the electrified fence of Auschwitz, scene of his martyrdom. The reverse side illustrates his vision of the Virgin Mary offering him two crowns--the white crown of purity and the red crown of martyrdom. He chose both, and his life, ministry, and death are reminders to us to strive to do the same.

The crucifix is very simple, firm and square, recast in bronze from a mid-century original. This traditional Catholic rosary is one of a kind.

I am so happy to be able to introduce a traditional Catholic rosary of all Bethlehem Olive Wood! This rosary introduces our beautiful new crucifix.

Our olive wood comes from the town of Bethlehem. It is harvested from the prunings and trimmings of the ancient olive trees that grow there. Olive trees are known to grow to a very great age, and it is certainly possible for trees to be alive now that were growing in the time of Christ. The trees grow shoots and branches that interfere with their ability to produce fruit, and these are carefully cut away each year. Our supplier uses these trimmings to produce beads, crosses, and other beautiful and useful items.

The Ave beads of this smaller rosary are 6x9 mm ovals of olive wood. The Pater beads are 8mm rounds. The crucifix is also olive wood, sturdily reinforced with white metal, and with white metal corpus. The rosary has been completely hand knotted on sturdy 100% cotton cord that will not stretch, break, or become brittle. This is a beautiful, enduring, and affordable olive wood rosary.

"The Earth is the LORD's"

This traditional Catholic rosary uses tagua beads, dyed brown with coffee, as the Ave beads. The Pater beads are made of the seed or root of the bodhi tree, traditionally used in Hindu prayer beads. (Whether seed or root is used depends on the material I am able to acquire when the rosary is made.) The rosary is hand-knotted on sturdy cotton cord, and it is finished with a bronze Celtic crucifix. It is a wonderful way to show good stewardship and respect for God's Creation.

This has been one of the most enduringly popular rosaries on Atelier-Beads since I first designed it five years ago.

The large seed of the tagua palm provides a substance often known as "vegetable ivory." It is tough, durable, and beautiful. Easily polished, it shows the same organic "grain" as cut pieces of elephant ivory. In fact, it is now being used by European makers of fine jewelry in applications where elephant ivory would traditionally have been used. It is sturdy enough to be formed into shirt and blouse buttons. People in Central America who harvest the tagua are able to earn a good income by forming it into beads, sculptures, chess pieces, and other objects. Best of all, it renews itself naturally each year.

We learn more about elephants all the time. Apparently they are self-aware, just as we are, recognizing themselves in a mirror as we do. We also know that they mourn for days when a member of their group dies or is killed. Yet their lives are taken every day simply to acquire their tusks.

Beautiful, near-perfect amethysts form the basis for this Eucharist-themed rosary. The amethysts that form the Ave beads are of a deep, rich, uniform purple. The distinctive Pater beads are an original design, cast in sterling silver. Each oval bead shows a design of grape clusters. They are crowned with silver caps and tiny rondelles of lighter amethyst.

The traditional Eucharist-themed center is beautifully complemented by a crucifix with design of sheaves of grain. Both are sterling silver.

This Catholic rosary is one of a kind.

The Ave beads of this rosary are a material called "old crazy lace agate." To me they appear neither crazy nor lacy. They are smooth agate in a rainbow of soft colors, all swirled together. To me, they evoke the quiet tints of a soft, misty autumn day. I have added Pater beads of a hand-cut Mexican onyx in a yellow so pale that it is almost cream. Each Pater is crowned with bronze rope caps and tiny rondelles of yellow citrine.

The bronze crucifix and medal are a favorite pairing of mine--the lovely old crucifix has a graceful pattern of leaves and vines. The center medal holds the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus surrounded by a wreath of tiny hearts. This is a sweetly contemplative rosary for autumn or any time.

This traditional Catholic rosary is one of a kind.

The colors and stones of this unusual rosary were inspired by a beautiful necklace I happened to see that was of Navajo workmanship. I would never have been daring enough to combine these colors, yet I believe they are beautiful together. The Ave beads are charoite, a rare and difficult-to-find gemstone in tones of swirling purple. They are beautifully complemented by Pater beads of hand cut and tumbled turquoise from the Kingman deposits in Arizona. I have crowned each Pater with a multitude of small gems--red spondylus shell, carnelian, pistachio jade, and tiny sterling silver flowers.

The Spanish Colonial crucifix is recast in sterling silver from a very old Mexican original. The center medal, also Spanish Colonial, depicts Nuestra Señora del Pilar in a radiant halo.

This traditional Catholic rosary is one-of-a-kind

Personent hodie voces puerulae - 

On this day earth shall ring with the song children sing -

This rosary is based on the wonderful medieval Latin carol traditionally sung by boys. It became a particular favorite of my older son, Gregory, when he was a young chorister. He told me just recently that at the time, he had no idea what the words meant--he just loved the way the carol sounded. I make this rosary each year at Christmastime. It's especially appropriate this year since Gregory and his wife are about to become parents for the first time.

The rosary is made of vintage (1950's) fine Venetian millefiori beads about 8mm in size. This year's Venetian beads are a great deal finer and more delicate than the 1970's versions I have used in former years which are no longer available to me. These beautiful beads have a red ground, which makes them very festive. The Pater beads are simple rounds of shiny 10mm black onyx.

The center medal for this rosary depicts the Infant of Prague in a radiant background. It harmonizes beautifully with the radiant crucifix. This rosary is one of a kind.

All the days of the poor are hard,
   but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

The "Christmas spirit" seems to have something to do with elves, shopping malls, snow, and spending lots of money. I ran into the actual Christmas spirit many years ago when my children were small. I dashed into the supermarket a day or two before the holiday to "pick up a few things." The young woman in line in front of me had separated her purchases into Food, Not-Food, and Other. The "Other" pile included a small ham, a bakery pie, some hard candy, and some chocolate kisses. She also brandished a tedious pile of "cents off" coupons. She seemed tense as she paid cash and coupons for the "Not-Food" items. She paid for the "Food" items with food stamps--which in those days were embarrassing paper as opposed to looking like credit cards. The cashier shot her an inquiring look as they came to the third pile. The young woman tallied it silently on her fingers, smiled, handed over her coupons, and said, "Ring it up. I'll be OK." She left the store with very little money. I left it immeasurably richer in spirit. She was blessed with a cheerful heart, and I hope her family enjoyed their Christmas feast.

This cheerful rosary is my way of thanking that anonymous young woman from so long ago. The Ave beads are faceted "poppy" jasper in warm, ruddy tones. The Pater beads are smooth red jasper, a bit brighter than than the small beads.

The rosary is graced with a simple, handsome Edwardian crucifix and center medal that will appeal to both men and women. It is small and compact in size.

This one-of-a-kind rosary will, I hope, bring a little Christmas spirit of the right sort--the sort that is rich in blessings and cheerful in the heart--where it really counts.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came 
His wings as drifted snow his eyes as flame 
"All hail" said he "thou lowly maiden Mary, 
Most highly favored lady," Gloria! 

Another longstanding Atelier-Beads tradition is the creation of a special rosary honoring Christ's Mother.

This year's rosary represents a bit of a departure. As silver prices have inexplicably climbed, and as our pocketbooks have dwindled, it seemed almost too extravagant to render this year's version in silver. I have therefore chosen a lovely, mellow bronze for the crucifix and center medal. The crucifix is very Victorian, embossed with a subtle pattern of lilies. The center medal is a personal favorite, the "Ave Maria" center with crown.

To complement the new bronze fixtures, I raided my collection for the very last six vintage givre "cathedral" beads. These are quite old, with a subtlety and depth of color that is not found in newer versions. They're a swirling mixture of deep, regal, wine red and frosty clear glass with deep gold tops. Each Pater bead is set off by tiny vermeil caps and little freshwater seed pearls. The blue lace agate Ave beads coordinate and contrast beautifully, making a lovely, old-fashioned rosary of great delicacy.

As with all our Christmas rosaries, this rosary is one of a kind.