For Those Hard-To-Craft-For People: Japa Mala bead strings.

Today's project isn't a repurpose, an upcycle or a restyle...it's a mini solution to a  problem I run into a lot.  I LOVE giving gifts.  I love giving HANDMADE gifts.  But personally, I find it difficult to give my particular brand of upcycled jewelry to many of the people in my life.  It takes a certain...er...esthetic sense...to appreciate what I do.  And not everyone wants jewelry even when it isn't weird.

Do you guys know what I mean?  Whichever craft you practice, chances are it is not going to be appreciated by everyone on your list.

Poodle Figurine from Lucy'sArtEmporium on Etsy

Just this coming week, for example, my dad has a milestone birthday, and then there's Mother's Day for 4 lovely moms in my life - only two of whom wear my jewels.  Dad is not really going to like an aluminum duct tape necklace, or earrings made of  ziploc baggies.  My stepmom Kate, while she is amused by my strange baubles, doesn't wear much jewelry.  However, they both love yoga, meditation and Indian art.

So I thought I would show you a beaded gift that might please some of those impossible-to-craft-for people.  Not all of them.  But some.  Look:

They are Japa Mala beads - traditional Hindu or Buddhist meditation or prayer beads.  Big and exciting looking, they are more decor than jewelry, more objet d'art than necklace.  A cool gift for someone into ethnic art or Asian influenced decor.  And for anyone who does yoga or meditates, a lovely, unique treasure.

They are super simple to make and (bonus!) require no special tools or jewelry-making skills.  Here comes the easy tutorial for my version of Japa Mala beads.

Cut a long piece of string.  Knot a small loop in the center.  Then string any pattern of beads on both sides.  A full Mala has 108 beads.  A half Mala has 54 beads.

When you have strung all your beads, add a small (optional) spacer to each end, then string both ends through a big, interesting bead of some kind.

Cut a couple of short pieces of string and tie a knot around them using the two original string ends.  It's a little hard to see in the picture, but when you pull the knot tight it disappears inside the big bead:

Now you have a bunch of strings that will form the tassel, and you need to thread all the ends through a final big bead.  It may be a tight fit.  Here is my SECRET WEAPON!!!!

Okay, last step: tie a big knot right up against the final bead:

And that's your Mala!  Aren't they nice?

I hope this idea sparks something for a few of you!  And  I would LOVE to hear what you guys have done to adapt your craft to your own non-craft-lovin' giftees.