Make it a Mala Kit – White

The Make it a Mala Kit includes everything you need to turn your chosen gemstone strands into a complete Mala, using traditional knotting techniques (gemstone beads sold separately). It’s designed for everyone and anyone, from complete beginners to experienced jewellery makers. Designed and produced in our store, all of the components have been thoughtfully chosen for quality, simplicity, and meaning.

Each kit contains enough all of the components and enough cord to make a full-length 108-bead Mala*. Simply choose your gemstone strands, select a matching Mala kit colour, and enjoy the creative, meditative process of bringing your Mala to life.

Included in your kit

• High Quality Tassel: approx. 75mm long in white
• Waxed Nylon Cord: approx. 0.5mm (approx. 5M spool)
• Guru Bead Set: either 18k Gold Plated (tarnish resistant) Tree of life bead & Large Hole Rondelle bead; OR 925 Plated Tree of life Bead & Stainless Steel Large Hole Rondelle bead (choose your metal colour from the drop down list). 
• Big Eye Needle: 45mm big eye needle
• Link to Instructions: printed instructions are NOT included in the kit. Instead we have a QR code with a link to our comprehensive online photo tutorial.

This is our ‘White’ Make it a Mala kit. White can be either the perfect contrast or compliment to almost any gemstone! If you’re stuck on what colour to choose, white is always a great option to lift your design and make the beads speak for themselves.

Product Notes 
*We make up these kits to order in store to order. They are made with love and care and are not mass produced. They are not available on the shelf in store, but we can make one up for you.
*We have tried very hard to match the tassel colour with the cord colour, however as these two components come from different suppliers, they may not match 100%. When the Mala is made up, it is absolutely unnoticeable.
*We recommend using 6mm or 8mm beads for your design, with a hole size between 0.6mm and 0.8mm. Our examples are all made using 8mm round gemstone beads.

FAQ

How many strands do I need to make a Mala?
Traditionally, a Mala contains 108 beads. If you are using 8mm round beads (approx. 47 beads per strand), you will need three strands. If you are using 6mm round beads (approx. 62 beads per strand) you will need two strands.

Do I have to use 108 beads? 
Absolutely not! Many people simply love the look of a Mala necklace. In that case, you may use fewer beads. A full Mala made using 8mm round beads is approx. 1 metre in length (plus the tassel!). Many of the Mala-style necklaces we make are more like 70cm to 80cm in length, and they tend to sit up a little higher on the body. If you’re doing a shorter Mala-style design, two strands of the 8mm beads will be sufficient.

What size bead do you recommend?
We recommend using 6mm or 8mm beads for your design, with a hole size between 0.6mm and 0.8mm. Our examples are all made using 8mm round gemstone beads. You may be able to use smaller or larger beads, or even different shapes – but we haven’t tested for them.

Do I need any additional tools or findings?
No you don’t! Everything you need to make your Mala is included in the kit (except scissors, but we are assuming you have those!). Just add your gemstone strands, and you’re ready to start. We do, however, have a couple of suggested extra items that are 100% optional. Both of these products can be found within the ‘you may also like’ products, directly after this description.

• As mentioned in the tutorial, you may wish to use a tiny dab of glue on the final knot. This will give you extra security that your knot will never come undone. The waxed nylon holds a knot very well, so you really don’t need the glue if you pull the knot nice and tightly.
• The second item (or items) are spacer beads. These can add a little flare your design and we often use them ourselves. The most popular spacer would have to be the 6mm Wheel Beads.

Are the metal components high quality? 
Yes! Both the gold and silver guru beads set are tarnish resistant, high quality beads. Please note that the silver tree of life is sterling silver plated, which means (like all sterling silver!) it may still tarnish – but it can be reversed. These sets are of the same quality as our Tarnish Resistant range, so for more info check out the comprehensive FAQ provided in that range (open any product to see the FAQ).

Can I mix different gemstone types or colours?
Absolutely… in fact, we encourage it! Many people love creating Malas using two or more gemstones for a layered or symbolic effect. Just make sure your total bead count suits the length you want.

Is the cord strong and durable enough?
Yes, the cord supplied is durable, fray-resistant, and specifically chosen for hand-knotted Malas. We use the cord doubled over and with a needle, and it threads smoothly through 0.6–0.8 mm holes. Because it is waxed, the knots also form and hold beautifully.

What if I’ve never made jewellery before?
That’s totally fine! The instructions are designed for complete beginners. The process is relaxing and meditative, perfect for anyone who wants to create something meaningful (and beautiful!).

Can I buy replacement parts?
At this stage, all of the components that come with each kit are only available as part of the kit. We do not sell these exact guru bead sets separately. We do sell some tassels individually, but they differ in colour from the kits – same goes for the cord.