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Gallery
Follow the links to the two galleries:
The Sold Gallery is a collection of photographs of jewelry and prayer beads. Feel free to inquire if you have an interest in a specific piece. Some items can be recreated. Other items may lend inspiration to the process of creating a unique new piece to your specifications.
The Current Gallery is a collection of photographs and order information for currently available pieces.
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Payment
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Gordon & Jeanene Atkinson
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About Prayer Beads
People of various faiths have used beads as an aid in their prayers for many centuries. For some, knotted cords or beads have functioned primarily to keep count of the number of times a prayer has been said. For others, the benefit of a cord or beads has little to do with keeping count, and more to do with maintaining focus in prayer. When the mind wanders, the fingers call attention back to prayer.
There is a wealth of information online about the history of prayer beads and their use. For purposes here, let me simply explain the designations for the prayer beads that I create. A piece listed as a “Five Decade Rosary” is created following the structure of a traditional Catholic Rosary without a connecting center. A piece listed as an “Anglican Rosary” follows a 33 bead structure and probably needs a little more explanation. A few other rosary pieces are rather free-form, often composed of beads in groups of ten.
The Anglican Rosary
The following provides a brief explanation of the symbolism of an Anglican Rosary:
A total of 33 beads signify the years of Christ’s earthly life. Beads are divided into groups of sevens, known as “weeks.” Seven signifies the number of days of creation, the seasons of the Church year, and the Biblical number of completion.
Dividng beads on the rosary are known as “cruciform” beads. The cruciform beads form the points of a cross when the rosary is laid open in a circle. The first large bead is the “initiatory bead.”
The individual praying the Anglican Rosary determines what prayers are to be said. There is no set format. Inspiration for the prayers can be found in scripture, songs, the traditional prayers of the Church, or the individual’s person intentions. There are many resources online with suggested prayers.
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Customer Service
Satisfaction
Gracefull Things items are created using silver, bronze, brass and beads from around the world. Natural items like seeds and polished stones are combined with distinctive and beautiful crosses and other symbols of faith and inspiration. These pieces are not mass produced; each piece of jewelry or set of prayer beads is a unique offering.
Jewelry creation, website management, and shipping are all personally handled by me. I welcome your comments. I want to constantly improve my craft and the care my customers receive.
Returns
I want customers to be happy with their purchases. I try to gather accurate information about component pieces, provide length measurements, and photograph items in natural light in order to provide customers with the resources to make informed purchases. If you have any questions about a particular piece, please contact me prior to purchasing.
If you find that you are not satisfied with your purchase, I accept items returned for store credit. Please contact me prior to returning any item. A returned item needs to be mailed with insurance in its original packaging, with invoice, within 7 days of its arrival. Shipping costs of returned items are the responsibility of the customer.
Jewelry Care
Accidents can happen! Over time, stones can chip or break, and wire or thread can stretch or wear through. I am happy to discuss repairs with you if a piece breaks. Depending on the circumstance, a fee may be charged for repairs. One customer lost an earring. I had materials on hand to recreate a matching earring and was happy to do so, charging her only the shipping fee.
A soft cloth should be used to wipe down jewelry after wear. Obviously, metals will tarnish. A silver polishing cloth will safely clean and polish the metal components of your piece.
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About Me
As a child, the highlight of my summers was gathering stones, leaves, and pieces of driftwood in the mountains and streams of Southern Colorado. The mountains were ripe with trophies to gather and admire. The mountains were magical in their beauty and complete “otherness.” A young girl from South Texas truly learned to worship God near the headwaters of the Rio Grande River.
As an adult, I pursued the study of theology, a career in ministry, and growing a family. The man I married learned to love the mountains too and we continue the tradition of summer excursions to the San Juan Mountains. Every trip feels like a pilgrimage, always reconnecting me to my love of the earth and it’s wonders.
A few years ago, I was given an Anglican Rosary. I discovered that the focus of praying with beads is very helpful to me. An overwhelming need to be creative spurred my desire to “play with beads” leading me to create my first Anglican Rosary. I couldn’t bear the thought of it being lovely and meant to be kept in a pouch or pocket. It seemed destined to need a clasp to be worn. I love the idea of wearing prayer; of wearing a tangible reminder to be at prayer. So Gracefull Things was born.
I will always love the mountains. I still love gathering rocks. I love the feel of stones in my hand and the search and stories behind the various elements that become my little works.
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Follow/Contact
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If you have any questions, or want to discuss the creation of a unique piece, email me -
