Waist beads are beads strung on a thread that are worn as jewelry around the mid-section and hips. The traditional practice of wearing waistbeads has origins in West Africa, and the history and meanings vary amongst cultures and tribes.

Currently waistbeads may be used to gauge and monitor your weight. They may also be used to promote body positivity, promote sensuality, body adornment for confidence, spiritual alignment, to highlight African culture, etc.

Waistbeads do not only have one purpose. In modern times, waist beads have become a movement of empowerment, a sacred way for women to express themselves, set positive intentions and celebrate the female form by drawing attention to a part of the body that is sometimes judged and shamed.

Our beads are made for every body, shape, size and color. We believe that all women should be able to experience the beauty and power that comes from wearing waist beads. We encourage you use waistbeads as a daily reminder to appreciate your body in all phases of your journey.

For a more in depth read about the history of waistbeads, their purpose, and the different types of waistbeads MBV offers, visit About Waistbeads.

We believe that anybody regardless of age, sex, race, ethnical background, creed or gender should have the experience of wearing a waistbead. However, it is necessary for people of non-african descent acknowledge, understand and respect the origins of waistbeads so that the culture behind it does not get misappropriated.

Our maxim is Adornment As A Sacred Act--- this simply means that we believe that you are worthy of veneration & we advocate for the use of waistbeads as a way to exalt and revere your body. To intentionally carryout this purpose, we attach meanings to each waistbead.

Each product's description is filled with information pertaining to each particular waistbead's meaning. At Made By Venus, we focus mostly on the healing aspects of color therapy as a tool for the Law of Attraction. However, meanings may be carried based on the energy of gemstones, metals, and colors used alike.

For color choices, the color map is the best place to begin. This will help you determine which color corresponds to the energy you would like nurture. Visit Color Map to understand colors and the energy they resonate.

Each Made By Venus waistbead is designed and handcrafted by our master artisan in Florida USA.

I always suggest considering the style and then the color choice. First decide which style of waistbead is best for your lifestyle and your intentions for wearing waistbeads. If you prefer the traditional & accountable route, consider Tie-On waistbeads. Most people use traditional tie-on waistbeads as a weight managing and accountability tool. Traditional tie-ons are not removed once tied, they are designed to stay on until cut off. You can bathe, exercise and do just about anything in your beads. The thread will dry quickly on its own after being exposed to water from bathing and swimming.

If you prefer the non-traditional route, consider removable waistbeads. Removable waistbeads are equipped with a screw on barrel clasp that allows wearers to put waistbeads on and off at their convenience. Most people use non-traditional waistbeads due to their occupations, personal lifestyles or if they don't want to permanently tie on waistbeads due to an upcoming medical procedure.

For color choices, the color map is the best place to begin. This will help you determine which color corresponds to the energy you would like nurture. Visit Color Map to understand colors and the energy they resonate.

Once the color and style are determined, determine what size you need.

The best way to determine your size is to use a soft measuring tape to measure your waist area in inches. If you're unable to determine your size, I suggest purchasing a standard-sized tie-on strand and then sizing it down once received. (Do not purchase a standard size if you are ordering a removable clasp - it will be too big. Exact measurements are needed for removable waistbeads.)

Our standard sized strands are 45-inch or 60-inch. Choose the size range that is closest to your waist size. You may also order a custom size if you need a size bigger than 61-inches. If you need help with determining your size, Visit How To Measure, for guidance.

You should wear as many as you feel comfortable with. Traditionally we wear 3 beads at a time, but most customers start with 2 so they can coordinate colors and layer it when tying. Some people wear as many as 30 at a time.

To add to your current stack, we suggest options from our Shimmer Solids Collection. These strands add stunning dimension and dazzle to any set.

Our beads are made with a double layer of non-stretch, non-cotton thread for durability. For proprietary reasons, we do not disclose all of our materials or our any of vendors. Most of our beads are glass seed beads.

We source high quality materials from all over the world including Czech Republic, Africa, Turkey, and Japan. Our materials are hypo-allergenic and are not risk of causing irritation or rash to normal skin types.

If you're interested, some of the bead supplies we use could be found here

Since some waistbeads are worn 24/7 and they become an intimate body item. You can keep waistbeads clean by treating them as an extension of your natural body and clean them with soap and water. 

You may also use a light astringent such as alcohol, witch hazel, or rose water to keep waistbeads fresh and hygienic.

Avoid putting creams, oils, lotions, or perfumes directly onto your waistbeads.

Due to hygienic and sanitary reasons, we are unable to provide a restringing service at this time. However, we do offer a restringing kit that you can purchase on our website in order to restring them at your convenience. Visit Restringing Kit to purchase yours today.

Some people use waist beads as a non-scale way to track weight fluctuations. As you lose weight, you will feel the beads dropping, and as you gain, you will notice the beads push up.

You can retie your traditional tie-on beads if they become loose. You must have enough excess string to be able to retie the ends together. Simply cut the string where you initially tied, remove the excess beads and retie the knot following the initial tying instructions

If you do not have enough string to tighten your strand, we suggest restringing your beads using a restringing kit. Visit Restringing Kit to purchase your kit today.

There is currently no adjustment advice for resizing removable waistbeads. New removable waistbeads must be purchased if you need a different size.

For information on our Return Policy, visit Return Policy.

For information on our Shipping & Delivery Policy, visit Shipping & Delivery Policy.