Sand Dollar Beach Keepsake Necklace

I am currently on a working vacation. Basically what that means is I spend the day fishing far out on the bay of the Gulf of Mexico or hang out on a beach and do a little crafting in between. My setup is not what I am used to. I have no tools and have to purchase everything for each project I do as I go along which means I’m trying to keep those purchases to a minimum. In the end I’m finding that my projects are becoming less expensive and simpler. But that doesn’t seem to be making them less in any other way.

Take this necklace I made. I busted out a Kumihimo wheel which I haven’t touched in months and used it to make the perfect cord to place my recently acquired sand dollar. I’d love to say I found this on the beach but I haven’t found any good shells of note, unfortunately.

I did buy this at a tourist kiosk so it still counts, right?! It took a bit of time but I spent very little to accomplish something I’m really proud to wear. It’s new and kind of boho and it will always remind me of some fantastic days on the Gulf of Mexico and its beaches!

For this project you will need:

• Kumihimo disc
• Hemp string
• Bail
• Cord Ends
• Jump rings
• Clasp
• Strong glue (I used Aleene’s The Ultimate)
• Sand dollar

Take a good length of cord 4 times. As a reference, I pulled the cord twice as far as my arms would go to make my necklace and wasted little in the end. Find the center of all 4 pieces and make a loop.

Tie a knot in the loop and you now have 8 strings for an 8 warp Kumi! Please ignore my stained hands. I’ve been tie-dyeing beach towels!

This wheel is from the kid’s crafting section at Walmart and cost me less than $2. Not the greatest but it will do just fine. Push your cord through so that the loop comes out the back.

You’ll be starting with your cords on either side of the numbers with dots. The 8, 16, 24, and 32. They will basically make a plus sign (my pictures are out of whack and since I’m editing pics on my laptop and then writing on a computer at the local library, well, they’re out of whack!) Ignore where my strands are and take note of the shape instead.

The bottom left cord will go up to the left of the 2 at the top.

Bring the cord at the top right of the now 3 cords at the top down to the right of the single cord below. Turn the well 45 degrees and continue the process over and over to weave your cord.

Hemp braids are only as good as the quality you work with. Mine is not the best quality and my braid suffered for it. Use the best you can find and you’ll have a much smoother, prettier cord.

Apply glue to about a quarter of an inch on both ends of the cord and allow to dry. Snip through the dried glue to remove the knot and unfinished bit on the ends.

Using a pinch bail, go through the largest hole on your sand dollar and pinch the bail shut.

String your pendant onto the cord and…

…glue your cord ends on and allow to dry completely.

Finish with a jump ring to connect both sides of your clasp to each cord end.

And there is the finished beauty!

Remember that sand dollars are delicate and easily breakable. Take good care of your new pendant and it will last for ages and remind you of those amazing days on the beach!

Allison

A crafter since her earliest years, Allison spends a little time every day making something. She crafts, sews, paints, glues things onto other things, and is a firm believer that a life spent creating is a life worth living. Visit Allison’s blog, Dream {a Little} BIGGER.