During my travels, Bhutan remains one of the most memorable. While trekking across the Land of the Thunder Dragon, I encountered prayer wheels everywhere—large and small, ancient and newly made—each quietly spinning with intention and devotion. In that moment, I felt a strong desire to capture this powerful symbol using my favourite material: beads.

The Prayer Wheel vessel draws inspiration from the traditional Buddhist prayer wheel—an object embodying both spiritual practice and motion. Historically, these cylindrical forms, often crafted from metal or wood and mounted on a spindle, are filled with sacred mantras. With each clockwise turn, the wheel is believed to release blessings, cultivate wisdom, and purify negative karma, extending compassion to all beings. Every rotation is considered the equivalent of reciting the prayers contained within.

This contemporary interpretation reimagines the prayer wheel as a sculptural, self-supporting beaded vessel. Meticulously woven in peyote stitch, it features a central inner column encased by a rotating outer sleeve, echoing the movement of its traditional counterpart. Its richly textured surface is adorned with fire-polished beads, pearls, and cabochons, forming intricate patterns with a tactile, jewel-like presence. A fitted lid crowns the form, enclosing a hidden compartment—an intimate space for storing small keepsakes or personal treasures.

Click here to watch the Prayer Wheel video.

DIMENSIONS

Height : 14.8 cm (5.8")
Width : 4 cm (1.6")