Shell Necklace

Materials

• Thin cording, 2½ ft. per child
• Pre-drilled (with hole) clam or scallop shells, 1 per child
• Mini pony beads, amount varies
• Perler® beads, amount varies

Tools and Basic Supplies

• Scissors

Pre-Prep

Cut the cording into 2 1/2-ft. lengths, 1 per child.

Teaching Tie-In

Show the sample craft and say: How many of you have ever been to the beach and looked for seashells? Take responses. They come in different shapes and sizes, don't they? But did you know that most seashells are the hard outer covering—the skeleton—of an animal? God designed our skeleton to be on the inside, but he put theirs on the outside. When the animal dies and the soft parts of its body are gone, just the shell—the skeleton—is left. The amazing thing is, God knows when every one of those seashell animals was born, and when it died, and everything in between. God knows everything about everyone at the same time, all the time. He doesn't ever learn anything new. And he's never surprised by anything.

If you're ever feeling lonely or scared about something, it can be comforting to know that God knows you and cares for you much, much more than a sea creature. You are dearly loved by God! Our seashell necklaces can be a great reminder of that. Let's make them.

Class Time Directions

1. Take your piece of cord and fold it in half. Then push the loop through the hole in the shell a distance of about 1 inch.
2. Feed both ends of the cord through the loop and gently pull until the loop closes and grips the shell.
3. Add beads to both cord strands.
4. Tie the strands together.

Tip Corner

• Any color of cording can work, but black or white are particularly nice.
• Pre-drilled shells are available at craft stores or online.