Kwanzaa Necklace
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Celebrate African-American heritage by wearing a necklace made with traditional holiday colors -- black to symbolize the people of Africa, red to recall struggles for freedom and green for growth.
What you'll need
- Pasta shells
- Glue
- Acrylic paint and brushes
- Black beading cord
- Black crow beads, optional
How to make it
Begin by making pasta beads that resemble cowrie shells, symbols of good fortune in many parts of Africa. Make each bead by nestling together two pasta shells: hold a single pasta shell with the inside facing you and the more curled flap at the top. Then, apply a spot of glue to the inner edge of the open flap.Hold a second pasta shell as if it were a miniature bowl and slide its open flap behind the curled flap of the first shell.
Once the glue sets, paint an equal number of beads with black, red, and green acrylics and let them dry thoroughly.
Next, cut a length of black beading cord that will fit easily over your child's head when tied. String the painted beads in alternating colors. For a fancier design, add a shiny black crow bead (available at craft stores) between the pasta beads.
