The Visit to the Bead Shrine

Many many beads from all over the world traveled in crates and in buckets... in bags and in suitcases.  Some were strung on string and some of raffia and some rolled around loose as they make the great crossing to the Bead Shrine.

There were beads of lava from volcanos who had long ago spewed their last ashes.



There were beads from nuts of Tagua palms and Salwag trees and Bambonas in Ecuador.



Beads from Kenya arrived, decorated with batik patterns, no two alike.



Beads of clay, from distant Kashmir, arrived, rolling perilously in their box.



More beads of clay, these from Mali, were close behind.



Ostrich shell beads from calcium-loving ostriches came to shore



along with coconut disk beads from Ghana.



There was Majapahit Javanese glass



and crow beads from India



and recycled glass beads from Ghana.



Day by day, and night by night, more beads arrived.  After the sun set, they engaged in secret bead rituals.  There was a drum circle, and chanting, and ritual cleansing.



They sat in kilns together, purifying and renewing.



During the day they met in small groups for networking and bead-storming.



And they meditated on beads left behind.



Though they came from many faiths and many lands







they soon learned that each put on his stringing material one one hole or link at a time.

And finally, when all the beads had gathered at the shrine, they lined up, side by side, and sang together.  They sang "Let It Bead" and "Let There Bead Peace on Earth" as they watched the sunset.



Then, refreshed and renewed, with deeper understanding of themselves and each other, they took their place with other great beads: to make shiny things!



Pieces that sparkled!



Pretty baubles!



Beads to delight!



And there was peace in beadland, and all was good.



Thanks to Happy Mango Beads for this beaded journey.