Assembling
the Bits
The
first task in making a Rosary is assembling all of the necessary
parts. You will need:
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59
beads
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59
"Eye" Pins
-
3
Small Rings
-
1
Crucifix (with ring)
-
1
Center Piece
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8
inches of chain
The
only tools you will need are a pair of pliers, the slim Round-Nosed
type, and a pair of sharp scissors.
Step
1
Pick up
one of the eye pins and insert it as far as it will go through
one of the beads. Then with your fingers or pliers (whichever
is easiest for you) bend the straight portion of the wire
over at right angles as shown in the sketch.
Note that
the bend must be as close to the bend as you can make it and
it it is made at right angles to the eye on the opposite end
of the pin.
This bend
you have just made is the beginning of the new eye. The two
eyes should be at right angles to each other to avoid "kinking"
of the finished chain of beads.
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Step
2
With
the pliers in the right hand, grip the bent over section
of the pin (now pointing to your right) near the nose
of the pliers and near the end of the pin. Circle your
thumb toward you and put a little bend in the end of
the pin.
Since
the human wrist is not constructed so that it will make
a complete circular turn, it is now necessary that you
make two grips or "bites" of the work. The
little bend mentioned above is the beginning of the
"eye" you are making. To complete the "eye"
and make it into a perfect circle, you now grasp the
jaws of the pliers with your LEFT HAND. This will keep
them tight on the eye pin. Then circle your RIGHT HAND
to the right as far as it will go and take a fresh grip
of the pliers. Now when you turn the pliers towards
yourself, you will form as almost complete circle in
the wire like the one already formed on the author end.
This eye should be not quite closed. Leave it open a
little so that you can later on close it around the
next pin in the chain.
This
is the basic process in making a Rosary. It should be
practiced until you can form an eye on one end of the
pin almost identical in size and roundness with the
original one.
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Step
3
Pick
up two of the beads and hook the new eye of the
one through the original eye of the other. This
is the first step in assembling the Rosary.
Grasping
the pin with your pliers in the manner shown in
the sketch, close the eye. DO NOT squeeze the
eye close by pressing on the sides - doing this
is sure to spoil the roundness of the eye. Also,
do not press on your pliers any tighter than necessary.
It is very easy to mar the pins.
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Step
4
Cutting
the chain is the next step. Fourteen pieces
are required, each four or five links long,
as you prefer. These are easily snipped off
with a pair of scissors, but in cutting the
chain, be careful to have exactly the same
number of links on each of your fourteen pieces. |
Step
Five
Open
one end of the small "jump" rings
by bending the prongs sideways. Opening
the ring in this manner makes it easier
to close without losing its shape. Slip
the ring through one of the upper openings
in the center-piece and a piece of chain
to close it.
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Step
Six
The
final Assembly consists of joining together
the various parts of the rosary in the approved
manner as shown in the picture. In connecting
it is necessary to slightly open the closed
end of the last eye pin of each decade,
in order to attach the chain.
Before
making the final assembly of the long string
of beads and the centrepiece, hold the string
up up by one end and let it dangle freely.
Then when you attach the free end of the
centerpiece, see that there is no "twist"
in the string. Even a light twist will cause
the Rosary to kink, something easily avoided
with a little extra care.
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Cautions
Use
as little pressure as possible on the
pliers while forming and closing the eyes.
The wire is delicate and too much pressure
will make marks which cannot be removed.
Be
sure when you are assembling that EVERY
eye is closed. No one wants a Rosary which
comes apart.
Note:
In each Beads for Prayer Rosary Kit, you
will find an extra bead and and extra
eye pin. Should you lose or break more
than this, let us know and we will send
you what you need to complete ear Rosary.
Visit
our store to order your kit today.
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