Stringing materials

[Guest guest]

Dear Kantiji,

This is really excellent information.

Thank you very much.

Tom

 

 

>Hi Tomji:

>

>Remember I am in a complete state of ignorance concerning traditional Vedic

>stringing materials, so will have to settle with what I have managed to

>improvise with Western jewelry making supplies. :-)

>

>I have been successful with elastic as well as wire.

>It really depends on what you are stringing.

>

>Wrist malas that are used for japa really need elastic as clasps get in the

>way. (and are difficult to wear)

>

>Large rudrakshsa and most gems can be strung on 1mm size.

>

>Punch mukhi on .7mm

>

>Gems like Coral and Pearl on .5mm.

>

>This is because of hole size not weight.

>

>The large size is most durable but your knot is larger and more difficult to

>hide.

>

>I mention in a past posting that Neetaji at Rudra Ctr. Suggested applying a

>small amount of Krazy Glue so knot doesn't open. You can hide knot in large

>holes of rudraksha as well as between bead and cap or bead and spacers.

>

>Head malas I have found work best in elastic.

>

>Armulets with 1mm elastic and you have to be precise with arm measurement.

>

>Depending on how many rudraksha you string and the size of the beads, a 54 +1

>Bead mala sometimes can barely go over the head if you are using only a few

>rudraksha and small gem beads. So you will need elastic.

>

>Large neck malas or japa malas not to be worn work really well with a

>wonderful wire called "Acu - Flex". It is very durable yet very thin and has

>a wonderful texture like thread... isn't stiff at all. Comes in all colors

>and clear.

>

>You have to close it off with these little beads called "crimp beads" and

>they are squeezed flat with a pair of crimp pliers.

>You can loop the ends together or use a clasp or connect to Meru Bead if it

>has been capped and has a loop.

>

>It is really easy to do and most jewelry supply places could show you how. I

>also have instructions with pictures I could probably scan and send an

>attachment to anyone who wants it.

>

>Good brands for Elastic are Power Cord and Stretch Magic.

>There is a national crafts store called Michael's which has decent

>inexpensive 1mm elastic. The .5 mm is pretty awful.

>

>Thin elastic can stretch out if long malas are made on it with heavy beads. I

>haven't had any break

>

>There is a source on-line that I have used that also has a huge catalog that

>is for free.

>The place is : www.firemountaingems.com.

>

>They have tons of stringing supplies and tools and a huge selection of

>spacers at different price ranges and some nice gems.

>

>I guess that's the dissertation on stringing materials :-)

>

>Have fun and let us know what you end up using (and of course post your mala

>in photo file) :-)

>

>Namaste Kanti

>

>In a message dated 10/3/2002 4:33:36 PM Central Daylight Time,

>tmicklin writes:

>

>

> > Kantiji,

> > I would love it if you posted some catalog sources.

> > Also, I have a question.

> > What material do you prefer for stringing Malas?

> > I'm undecided because I wanted something I could knot but that would hold

> > up to being cleaned.

> > I'm using a waxed thread of some sort but I'm not sure about it.

> > Thanks a lot,

> > Tom

> >

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>Your use of is subject to