DIY Cowrie Shell Bracelet Tutorial

This beautiful Cowrie Shell Bracelet is perfect to wear it to the beach without having to worry about it getting damaged by the water. The string is waxed polyester that is basically indestructible and the Cowrie Shells, well, they were made for the water!

To make this basic Cowrie shell sting bracelet, you need the string and some cowrie shells that are flat on the back side. Then use 2 strings and cross them inside the shell, add a knot between and shells and string as many on as you need for length.

Cowrie Shell Bracelet Materials:

• Waxed Polyester Cord in the color of your choice. I used Neon Orange
• Cowrie Shells that have been cut flat on the back

1. Cut string and add first shell

Cut a 24″ section of the cord and fold it in half. Make it twice as long if you want to make a necklace instead. Then make a regular knot about 4″ from the loop.

Now pull one end of the string through the shell and then the other side of the string through the shell as well but from the opposite direction. So the strings cross over each other inside the shell. This will secure the Cowrie shell between the 2 strings.

2. Secure Shell

Pull the shell tight to the first knot and secure it with another knot on the opposide side.

Now the shell is sandwiched between the 2 stings and has a knot on either side.

3. Repeat with the rest of the shells

Repeat this with the other shells. I used a total of 5 shells, but it depends on the size of your shells and how long you want your bracelet or necklace. You can hold it against your wrist to check the length. Make sure it leaves about 1.5″ at the end to add the macrame knot to slid the bracelet on and off your hand.

4. Add Macrame sliding closure

Now all you need to add is the Macrame Knot closure. For that, you need another 10″ section of the string.

1. Wrap the bracelet so that the 2 ends overlap. So all 4 strings come together. 2 from the left side and 2 from the right side.
2. Now place the new string under the 4 strings and tie a knot in the center. It should be tight, but not so tight that you can’t slide it up and down.
3. Make a square knot by placing one sting above and one under the 4 strings and pulling them through the opposite strings.
4. Repeat the same thing but the opposite way to complete 1 square knot.
5. Repeat step 3 and 4 until you have a total of 4 knots.
6. Pull the string to the back and cut them off.

Here is a video of the Macrame Knot closure!

5. Finish bracelet

To finish the bracelet, cut the 4 ends to the same size and tie a double knot in each end. so a total of 4 knots.

Since this is a polyester cord, it is best to use a match or lighter to singe the ends and seal them off. Do that to all 4 knots and the back of the macrame closure on your  bracelet.

Pro Tip!

So you really don’t need a lot to make this bracelet. I am sure you will have enough left over to make a matching choker and some bracelets for your friends!

I hope you find this a fun tutorial and as easy to work with as I do. Comment below if you have any questions and show off your creations here and on Instagram #kaileacrafts

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