Tutorial Tuesday - Shell Jewelry

Addy's accesories include a cowry shell necklace. This necklace in particular was brought over by Addy's great-grandmother from Africa 1. In Africa, cowry shells were used as currency and they were a symbol of womanhood, fertility, birth and wealth 2.

What if you want to make a matching necklace for you and your Addy doll? What if you have lost the cowrie shell necklace you got all those years ago? What if you want to make a bracelet of cowrie shells for Addy? What if you want to make a real cowry shell necklace? Once again, our answer comes from "The Book of Arts & Crafts" by Marguerite Ickis and Reba Selden Ash.

You can now find a multitude of shells online. Like you can buy 200-300 cowry shells on Amazon for $8.89. With the holes already in them, so you don't need to pierce them yourself. Or, if you live near a beach or are planning a beach day soon, you can go search for shells yourself or with your kids! If you get large shells, you can use twine, string or even a shoelace like Addy.