Follow My Bead
Last summer it was super-skinny metal bracelets called angel bands amassed to a 20-strand thickness. This season, the must-have wrist accessory is one, or several, beyond-basic bead bracelets similar to the prayer beads of Eastern religions. “They are used to meditate,” says the Rev. Brahmanagama Muditha, a monk at the Buddhist Vihara of Los Angeles on Beachwood Drive. “There are some formulas to repeat such as, ‘May I be well.’ ‘May I be happy.’ ‘May I be peaceful.’ ‘May I be comfortable.’ ” Funny. The reverend didn’t mention, “May I be fashionable.”
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Follow my bead:
Model and Price: “Aventurine Powerbead--Success” by Stella Pace from Jennifer Kaufman, (310) 854-1058; $22
The Wrist Bone’s Connected to . . .Tanned and toned fortysomethings desperate for perfect accessory to complement DKNY ensemble; Harvard-Westlake juniors on mall trips armed with crisp hundreds from daddy.
Spiritual Worth: Their tags encourage wearing the amethyst “Intelligence” to increase brain power, the turquoise “Health” to heal and detox and “Success” “to achieve goals and make life-enhancing decisions.” Like spending $22 on an elastic-and-bead bracelet.
*
Model and Price: “Buddha Beads” from Lisa Mantoux, (323) 660-4207; $10
The Wrist Bone’s Connected to . . .Mostly production people, as Mantoux, a freelance production assistant, sells primarily on the set. “Assistants are totally into them,” says Mantoux. “But not P.A.s. They make no money.”
Spiritual Worth: Negligible, unless the director compliments you.
*
Model and Price: “Wood Prayer Beads” from Imperial Dragon Gifts, Chinatown, (213) 628-4782; $1.99
The Wrist Bone’s Connected to . . .Tourists who cashed out at Universal Studios but need something to take home for the niece; Melrose Avenue store owners who buy in bulk.
Spiritual Worth: Hard to say. “I think they’re prayers to Buddha,” says store owner Dorothy Lee of the Chinese characters blurrily scripted on the bracelet.
*
Model and Price: “Tulsi Hand Mala” at Bodhi Tree Bookstore, (310) 659-1733; $8
The Wrist Bone’s Connected to . . .Men and women in sandals or Uggs. Yoga practitioners who can sustain the Lotus position indefinitely. Humble types in long robes.
Spiritual Worth: Substantial. The beads’ manufacturer says Tulsi “is a sacred wood that is considered to be a form of the Goddess.” (Very Bodhi Tree.)
