meditation beads

"The recycled paper used for this pair of earrings was supplied by a friend living with sickle cell. The proceeds from the sale of these earrings will go a long way to help buy his regular medication," says Akwele Suma. She crafts the earrings by hand forming cylinders of rolled-up recycled paper in a combination of colors that make Akwele think of piano keys. Flanked by sese wood beads, the earrings hang from brass wires.

The artist uses the paper at hand so paper colors will vary, making each design a unique example of handcrafted art. These beads receive a protective coat of clear nail polish.

Crafted by hand, sese wood beads reveal colorful geometric patterns. Flanked by globes of recycled plastic, these eco friendly earrings boast a natural chic. Elizabeth Alorchie-Apetor names her design Fafa, which means "peace" in the Ewe language.

Balinese artisans find inspiration in Buddhist spiritual traditions for the design of this unique karma set from the Pertiwi Collection. It includes a bracelet crafted with natural rubber and light and dark glass beads. For every good deed done in a day, slide a lighter bead to the center. For any bad deed, slide a darker one. At the end of the day count of which color there are more, and keep a record of it in the karma journal. It is crafted by hand with rice paper and decorated with cinnamon stick on the lontar leaves covers.

The karma counter is a millenary method developed in Tibet, to remind one to stop and think about the ramifications of any action one is about to do in a genuine consideration of other's need and happiness. It is believed that as the ratio of white pebbles grows for having done well to others, so will good karma return to one.

In honor of Hindu tradition, Komang Agus Saputra designs a wrap necklace centered by an Om (also Ohm) medallion. This is a sacred incantation to be intoned at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas, as well as prior to any prayer or mantra. Saputra carves the pendant by hand from coconut shell and accompanies it with chang wood beads. The necklace includes a brown faux-suede cord that can be adjusted to the desired length.