Jewelry

• Mix a variety of wood beads to make a necklace or a bracelet. You can find wood beads in shades ranging from very light to very dark, in different shapes and sizes. Kids can use elastic beading cord or leather cording to string the wood beads, but you may need to help them tie knots to secure the beads onto the strand. Cut the beading cord to the desired length, plus 5 inches so the knots are easier to tie. Clip a paper clip on one end of the cut strand so the beads will not slip off while they are stringing them. Once the kids have made their jewelry, remove the clips and knot the beading cord together at the ends. Add a drop of jeweler's glue on top of the knot to secure it in place.
  
  

Lanyard

• Kids can easily make their own lanyard with rexlace, wood beads, a lanyard clip and a necklace clasp. First, cut a strip of rexlace to the desired length of the lanyard, plus 5 inches for the knot. Slide the clip over one end of the rexlace to the center of the strand. Hold both ends of the rexlace together and thread wood beads over both strands to the top of the lanyard clip. Continue to string 2 to 3 inches of wood beads over both strips of rexlace to decorate the center of the lanyard. Separate the strips of rexlace so that you have two strands rather than just one with the beaded section appearing as the bottom line of a "Y" shape. Add wood beads to the separate strands in any design you like up to 1 inch from each end. Tie one side of the clasp onto each strand to complete the lanyard.
  
  

Braided Belt

• Wood beads make interesting accents on braided leather belts. Older kids will enjoy braiding leather cording with wood-bead centers that they can wear with their favorite pair of jeans. Each braided belt requires three strips of leather cording cut 12 inches longer than their waist and small- to medium-size wooden beads no larger than 10 mm. Place the leather cords side by side so that the ends are even. Tie each of the side cords to the middle cord with a strong double knot, 6-inches from the end. Add a wood bead to the center strand, and then cross each of the side strands over beneath the wood bead to begin making a braid. Continue to add a wood bead to the center strand before crossing the sides over for the length of the cording, until 6 inches from the end. To finish the braid, tie the cords together, sides to the center. They can also tie wood beads to the ends of each of the strands for added decoration.