Shopping trip!

Some of the new supplies I picked up at the Palladium Mall in Bangkok last week. This is a really great jewellery supply market on the basement level that is open all week (unlike chatuchak, which is only open on the weekend), it is also all indoors and that means air con!! There are tons of amazing stores with supplies from as far afield as the Middle East. It was honestly all I could do to hold myself back from spending hundreds, thankfully I will probably be back within six months so used that as an incentive not to go too crazy! Prices are good, the wooden and glass beads you see were around 50bht (about 1.50usd) and the gemstones about four times that. There was also a lot of other supplies at higher and lower price points - hopefully next time I will have a little more money in the kitty!

Mala necklaces

Here in Dali, Buddhism has a long and important history. This was the gateway to the southern silk road and one of the pathways of Buddhism into China. Because of the famous and ancient Three Pagodas, many pilgrims still make the trip to Dali and Mala necklaces and bracelets are a very popular item. Many of the local designs are made of wooden beads both simple and highly refined from a few dollars to hundreds for rare woods and hand carved beads.

My Malas are inspired by these designs. I have used the traditional 108 beads with a distinct spacer every 27th bead and a 'guru' bead and tassel to mark the beginning and end. I have used pearls for these ones as they are of course my favourite!

Spring time earrings

Earrings at The Pillow Book

New Designs - Mala necklaces

Shop Malas