Try a “Seedy” Rosary for Affordable Beauty
Buri Seeds, Carved Bone, Ojime Bead on Linen
This is one of a series of occasional posts on natural, renewable materials and their use in rosaries. Today’s example uses seeds carved from the salwag palm, found in the Philippines. These beads are the natural, untreated color. It’s a sort of creamy ivory with interesting brown flecks. Sometimes the flecks are larger; speckles, maybe. The beads are quite sturdy and extremely affordable. You often find them dyed in garish colors, but this is one case where it’s hard to improve on Nature. They do take nicely to being stained a soft tan with tea. They seem to have a natural affinity for carved and dyed bone, which is what I’ve used in this rosary.
I like to knot the salwag seeds individually, like pearls, on heavy waxed Irish linen thread. Look for it in stores that cater to basket makers, for that’s its original use. Always use the 4-ply. Irish linen comes in a world of colors, and all of them seem to be soft, fresh, and not too gaudy. While a spool is expensive, it contains enough linen to last a long time. I find I can get a couple of years of use out of each spool.
For this particular Anglican rosary, I chose a Japanese carved teak wood ojime bead as the Invitatory. The natural color of the wood harmonizes beautifully with the other natural colors of this rosary. Catholics, it might be a bit “much” to incorporate six Ojime as Pater beads; your rosary would be huge. If you love the beads, try a “tenner” or single decade chaplet with your selected ojime as the single Pater.
Be warned as you search the Web for ojime: While many represent animals or plants, they do cover a variety of subject matter, and some can be downright off-color. You just sort of have to overlook that and go for the plants and animals that have a more Scriptural feeling. Be aware, too, that using one will add considerably to the cost of your rosary.
Beautiful, natural salwag seeds deserve a spot in your bead box if¬† you’re looking for affordable beauty.
