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"Rebecca's Rosaries" was born out of my need for a unique rosary. My mother used to give rosaries as gifts. She would return from vacation with at least a half a dozen rosaries to give to relatives and friends. So when my mother died in 2002, I wanted to have her laid to rest with a rosary as a gift from me. I searched several local Catholic Gift stores, and all of the rosaries seemed to be the same. I just couldn't seem to find what I was looking for. I settled on a rosary with pink beads, but I was disappointed that I couldn't find a rosary that was more original. Over the next year, my husband had to attend several funeral rosaries for professional acquaintances. The only rosary that I owned that didn't have pink beads, flowers or hearts was a baby rosary with tiny blue beads. I knew I needed to find one for him. Again, I couldn't find what I was looking for. So, I went to a local craft store and bought some glass beads and wire to make one myself. It was a disaster, but through research, I discovered strung rosaries, and I was on my way to a passion that has continued to today. I had no intention of starting a business, but when I showed my first strung rosary to a friend of mine, she bought it on the spot. I was amazed that anyone would want it, much less pay me for it. One week later, I had a request to make a rosary using the same beads in a different color for another friend. An updated version of that design is on the web site listed as “Fishers of Men”. Word got around and my creations were called "“Rebecca's Rosaries" the name stuck and I continued to sell my rosaries primarily via word of mouth. I went on-line in 2004, and have been selling rosaries non-stop since then. Because my first rosary to my husband was a special gift, I wanted to be sure that the crucifix and center would not tarnish beyond recovery. I thought it would be a gift for him to keep and use for the rest of his life. I keep that thought in mind with every rosary I make. I only use sterling silver or bronze metals, semi-precious stones and gems, along with glass beads. None of my rosaries are made with plastic or base metal. All of my rosaries are heirloom quality and will last a lifetime. When you buy a gift from Rebecca's Rosaries for yourself or a loved one, you know that your rosary will be cherished by generations to come. I believe we are all individuals in God's eyes, and I strive to create unique rosaries that reflect different personalities. I believe that if everyone had a rosary that reflected their unique interests and tastes, that rosary will become a daily accessory. Therefore, I hope that my rosaries inspire people to pray the rosary more often and to grow closer to Jesus through Mary. Rebecca Garcia
I started making rosaries out of gratitude to the Blessed Mother, for coming to fetch me when I was confused and searching for the right path. I returned to Jesus Christ in 1998, after many years away from the Church. My parents were both converts to Catholicism, so although I am not a "cradle Catholic", I was still Baptised very young, when I was about 4 years old. In the turbulent years following Vatican II, an unfortunate combination of the times and my own stubborn, adventurous, teenaged impetuosity led me away from my faith. I finally turned away altogether in my mid twenties, and spent the next many years searching through various types of "spirituality" for satisfaction and Truth. I finally fell on my knees before God and discovered that the One whom I had been fleeing all those years was patiently waiting for me to come home. So I returned to christianity, but not yet to the Church. I started looking around for a "church home", but, once again, nothing seemed right. During this time I kept getting the urge or inner nudge that I should dig out my mother's rosary, but I thought, "Well, I never did have a great devotion to the rosary, why would I want to do that?", but the urge or prompting just would not go away. So finally, I dug it out of my keepsakes trunk, and laid it on the night table, but would not pray it. Again I kept gettin the inner urging to pick it up and pray it. I resisted for a few weeks, but finally gave in. I immediately experienced such peace and joy! I fell in love with the rosary prayers, and began to feel that I could not go a day without saying it. Finally, this led me to attend Mass, where I found myself sitting in pew after Mass with tears streaming dowm my face. How could I have forgotten Our Eucharistic Lord? After that, it wasn't long until I began to make arrangements to return. So you see, I owe Our Lady everything. Through means of her Most Holy Rosary, she gently led me back home. I have been making rosaries now for about 2 and a half years. Nothing gives me greater joy. I like to pray as I create, and pray the finished rosary afterwards. I believe that each one is for someone in particular, and my prayer is that they grow ever close to the heart of Our Lord through means of this most beautiful prayer form.
Denise Griffiths
My name is Sarah Harkins and I have been making clay rosaries for over 10 years. I started when I was 15 years old after stumbling across a book that taught me how to make the beads. After making a few beads, I thought my mother would really like a rosary made of the clay beads. I gave my first rosary to her and she liked it so much, that she showed her friends. Her friends wanted one too, and the rest is history! Now I look back and think how fitting it was that I made my first rosary for my mother because now all the rosaries I make are still for my mother- the Mother of God. My hope in making and selling clay rosaries is that the person receiving the rosary will be inspired to learn more about their faith, and grow closer to Our Lord, through the Blessed Mother. Sarah Harkins- artist and owner
I am a mother of three fantastic children, a proud wife, a loving daughter and a practicing Irish Catholic. I have always felt a close bond to the Lord. My life has changed dramatically because of my rosary business. I have become a stronger Catholic woman. The more rosaries I made the more I wanted to know about them. I became infatuated with Mary, and closer to the Church than I ever had been in my entire life. I am proud to pray the rosary and tell others about the Church and our blessed Mother. My children enjoy praying the rosary. During a Parent Care group I learned that Mary states that for every Rosary you pray the quicker you get into Heaven. This has inspired my family to pray the rosary more and more. There is not much more beautiful than the sound of your child quietly praying the rosary in his room. At times I felt like my life was turned upside down. Sometimes I even thought about quitting. Then, I would get an emotional call or an email from a customer telling me how much my rosaries helped them get through the passing of their loved one. I know that was God's way of telling me to stand strong and keep my business alive. I have finally found the path that God has meant for me to be on. Michelle Hintzsche
Many people do not realize that the Catholic Church is actually composed of some 23 different Churches sui juris. While the Roman Catholic Church, also known as the Latin Rite, is by far the largest and most powerful of these 23 churches, it is not the whole of the Catholic Church. Chaplets & Chotkis is owned and operated by Michael and Tammy Kelly, members of the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church since 1994. Please see our home page for more information on Eastern Catholics. Upon joining the Byzantine Rite, we immersed ourselves in the Eastern traditions and discovered the beauty of the Chotki and the Jesus Prayer. But after moving to an area with no Eastern Catholic parishes, we began attending a local Roman Catholic parish and re-discovered the beauty of Western devotionals such as the Rosary and the many chaplets available in the Latin Rite. Roman Catholics have beautiful rosaries, even heirloom rosaries made of sterling silver, 14K gold, and gemstones. We believe Eastern Catholics have the right to own equally beautiful chotkis. But most chotkis are either black knotted wool, or plain wood beads. Thus Chaplets & Chotkis was born, creating prayer beads for both Eastern and Western devotional traditions. In keeping with the theme of All Handmade Rosaries, we present only rosaries and chaplets here, but if you visit our website, you can find prayer ropes for a variety of Eastern Rite traditions.
Tammy Kelly
There's a chain which began with the first rosary we sold. It links us to each person who owns one and connects us to each other in prayer. As creations of Our Father, whose vision is infinite, we are distinctive, each having been given different gifts, views, strengths and interests. We are unique. This perspective is taken to the creating of our rosaries holding us to the commitment of making “one of a kind” with an occasional “limited edition.” We view our rosaries as objects of spiritual art. Each is prayerfully created and dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. Our hope is that each rosary will be chosen because it reflects the spirit and spirituality of the person who will own it. We believe also, that everyone who appreciates an artful rosary should be able to purchase one. For this reason, you will find a range of prices, depending upon the materials used. What you will not find is less creativity or quality in craftsmanship.
Mel and Marilyn Nash
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contact: webmaster@all-handmade-rosaries.com
