The Magdalene "Sacred Union" Rosary: Individually Linked And Wire-Wrapped By Hand

Inspired by the seminal non-fiction book "The Woman with the Alabaster Jar" by Margaret Starbird, (which came out years before the DaVinci Code), this is not your grandmother's rosary! Rather, it celebrates the notion of the "Sacred Union" which many throughout history have said took place between Jesus and his beloved, Mary Magdalene.

The design concept behind this rosary was conceived after I came across this special cross at a church in a small Tuscan village, not too far from our home here in Italy. After doing some research, I tracked down the Italian manufacturer of these crosses and bought a few to work with and to sell to other rosary makers.

The rosary itself consists of a total of 54 beads (including the sterling silver filigree clasp, that is used more as a bead in this design, though it functions as a clasp as well), individually linked and wire-wrapped by hand on sterling silver wire. The glass beads are a combination of Czech "rose-bud" beads, (perfect for a "rosary"), and handmade lamp-work beads, made by Bijou Arte's own glass artist Tim James. The connector centerpiece depicting the "Royal Family", if you will, was hand-painted by myself, and the heart above the cross is sterling silver and marcasite. When the decorative clasp is closed, the rosary is over 2 ft. long from clasp to the end of the cross!  As many of you can imagine, this piece took several hours to make, and was a real "labor of love" It is meant to be both worn and/or used in prayer and meditation. - Lily