DIY Jute Ring Shell Pendant Necklace | Easy Cowrie & Bead Tutorial

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Bring a touch of rustic, coastal charm to your style with this easy DIY tutorial! In this video, you’ll learn how to wrap a metal key ring with jute cord, add a beautiful cowrie shell, coconut wood beads, and a sun bead, then finish it off with a simple handmade necklace cord. Simple yet impactful. Follow along and create your own unique shell pendant necklace! ​

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Materials for Pendant

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Materials for Necklace Cord

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Basic Tools

Tools & Materials

• Coconut wood beads; brown (8mm) - https://amzn.to/4iQnV0t
• Cowrie shell beads (Back cut/White 0.7"-0.86") - https://amzn.to/4cXelre
• Extender chains (Optional) - https://amzn.to/3IiY7Nz
• Fold over cord end cap crimps 12mm - https://amzn.to/4kY6P2p
• Jute cord
• Jump rings
• Lobster claw clasps
• Metal key ring - 0.875 inch Diameter Standard Size
• Natural polished hemp cord 20 lb; Brown (Cousin DIY Polished Thin Hemp 20 lb Cord 1mm Jewelry String, 300 ft, Brown)
• Pliers https://amzn.to/3rN72yX
• Scissors
• Sun bead 18x6mm (by bead design co.)
• Waxed cotton cord 1.5mm - https://amzn.to/3I6RBtj

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​Make the Jute-Wrapped Ring

Instructions:

1. Cut a 14" jute cord.
2. Clip one end, leaving a 1" tail. Begin wrapping around the metal key ring.
3. Continue wrapping until the ring is nearly covered.
4. Apply fabric glue to the end and wrap tightly to finish.
5. Trim excess cord. 
   
6. Glue to secure fully.

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Making the Pendant

Instructions:

1. Cut a 20" hemp cord. Thread one cord front-to-back through the cowrie shell. 
2. Thread the other back-to-front through the shell. 
3. Tie a knot just above the shell. 
4. Thread both cords through two coconut shell beads (8mm).
5. Tie a knot.
6. Position the jute-wrapped ring above the knot: One cord wraps in front, the other behind. Slide both cords through the sun bead. Center the sun bead in the jute ring. Use pliers if needed.
7. Wrap one cord around the front, one around the back of the ring. 
8. Tie a knot just above the ring to hold it in place. Add two more coconut beads, tie a knot.
9. Form a loop above the last knot and tie again. 
10. Apply fabric glue at the base of the loop, wrap cord ends around.
11. Trim any excess cords. 
12. (Optional) Add jewelry glue for added strength.​

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Adding a Bail

Instructions:

1. Heavy gauge rectangular necklace chain.
2. Use pliers to remove one link from a rectangular chain — this becomes your bail.
3. If needed, use round nose pliers to enlarge the loop, and attach the bail.

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Making the Necklace Cord

Instructions:

1. Cut; Two 15" pieces of waxed cotton cord, One 15" piece of natural hemp cord.
2. Secure ends with fold-over cord end crimps.
3. Add extender chain (4" long) and lobster clasp. (Optional) Add a decorative end (attach a 5mm wooden bead with T-pin to the end of the extender if desired.

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