faq

   Prayer Bedes is an independently owned and operated business located in Northfield, Minnesota. All prayer beads are one-of-a-kind (unless otherwise stated), artistically designed, and individually handcrafted in my studio with quality components.

   All prayer beads are strung on premium Soft Flex® 49 strand nylon-coated stainless steel wire. Soft Flex® wire provides a soft and flexible, yet, strong and durable component of heirloom quality—much more durable than traditional hooked chain rosaries. I also double crimp each connection for added strength.

   Our mission is to encourage Christian prayer. We acknowledge that there are many forms of prayer. One form is using the rich traditions of Christian prayer beads found throughout the world to help engage our body, mind, and spirit in our prayers.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

   We accept all major credit cards through the security of PayPal. PayPal does not require you to have a membership to use their service. All your credit card information is safe and secure when using PayPal for payment.

SHIPPING

   All items are shipped via USPS Priority Mail®. The cost of shipping for one item within the U.S. is $4.60. If you are ordering more than one item and shipping them to the same address, I will ship them together with a cost is $1.00 for each additional item.

For international shipping, please email me at prayerbedes@charter.net before checkout for a quote.

RETURNS AND REFUNDS

   All returns must be made within 30 days of purchase in the same condition received. Shipping fees are non-refundable and returns may be subject to restocking fees. Please email us at prayerbedes@charter.net before you ship.

REPAIRS

   All prayer beads are guaranteed to last a lifetime with normal use. If breakage does occur with normal use within the first year, please email us at prayerbedes@charter.net to arrange complementary repair.

DISCLAIMERS

   For the safety of small children that might put the beads in their mouths or choke on a piece that might break off, I need to add the disclaimer that prayer beads are not recommended for children.

   I try to purchase pewter components that are lead-free. However, for me to personally guarantee that, I would need to have each bead tested. Consequently, I cannot guarantee that the pewter components I use are lead-free.

MY LAMPWORK GLASS BEADS

beads blown glass flame

   When you see “My Handmade Lampwork Glass” beads in a
description, these beads have been handmade by me. Handmade
Lampwork glass beads are created by melting a rod of glass in
a hot flame and wrapping it around a metal rod, known as a
mandrel. Decorations are all applied in the flame making them
part of the bead versus being painted on. The beads are then
annealed in a kiln to stabilize the glass and help prevent thermal
stress fractures. Each bead is made one at a time, so no two
beads are ever exactly alike.

BETHLEHEM OLIVEWOOD BEADS

   The Bethlehem olivewood beads I use are environment friendly--made from the trimmings of the Bethlehem olive trees, which is an essential process that allows a new and healthier growth. No Tree is damaged or destroyed in the process of harvesting this wood.

THE KAZURI BEAD STORY

   Kazuri Founder - Lady Susan Wood was born (1918) in a mud hut in an African village. Her parents were missionaries from England in the Ituri Forest. Lady Wood was sent back to England to be educated and married Michael Wood, a surgeon. They came to Kenya in 1947. They were dedicated to making a difference and Lady Wood started a coffee plantation on the Karen Blixen estate, famous from the award winning movie "Out of Africa," at the foot of the Ngon'g Hills, about 30 minutes from the bustling Nairobi city center in Kenya. Lady Wood was a visionary, an unsung hero of her time. She assisted her husband in founding the East African Flying Doctor Service, which expanded into the African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF) of which Michael Wood was Director General for 29 years. Michael Wood was knighted in 1985.

   In 1975, Lady Susan Wood set up a fledging business making beads in a small shed in her back garden. She started by hiring two disadvantaged women, and quickly realized that there were many more women who were in need of jobs and so Kazuri Beads was created and began its long and successful journey as a help center for the needy women especially single mothers who had no other source of income. In 1988 Kazuri became a factory and expanded hugely with over 120 women and men. Here women are trained and apply their skills to produce these unique and beautiful beads and jewelry. The beads are made with clay from the Mt Kenya area thus giving them authenticity to their craft. The factory acts as a social gathering with the hum of voices continuing throughout the day. With unemployment so high, one jobholder often ends up providing for an "extended family" of 20 or more. Kazuri is a member of the Fair Trade Act.

   Today Kazuri, the Swahili word for 'small and beautiful' produces a wide range of hand made, hand painted ceramic jewelry that shines with a kaleidoscope of African colors and Kenyan art that reflects a culture and appeal to a worldwide fashion market. Kazuri's beautifully finished products are made to an international standard and are sold worldwide. These standards are maintained through high training standards and a highly motivated management team.

   In 2001 Mark and Regina Newman bought the company and their goal is to further increase the size of the company and to maintain the guiding philosophy ... to provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of Kenyan Society.