I knew for a long time I needed to make a gourd shekere (well more than one) with cowrie shells for beads. My little auntie told me I needed to. Where do you find cowrie shells? Where you find everything, on eBay. I got two kinds - these white money cowrie shells in two size grades, and some brown snakehead cowries. Money cowrie shells have a yellow circle on their back.

I got two kinds - these white money cowrie shells in two size grades, and some brown snakehead cowries. Money cowrie shells have a yellow circle on their back. The snakehead cowries are much heavier and have a thick shell. The money cowries are much easier to drill, the snakeheads uch sturdier and because of their weight will make a big difference in the sound.

Over the course of the project I used both a regular handheld drill and a dremel tool. I use a craft vise to hold the shells and wear a leather glove on my left hand. I use a very small drill bit but it still has to make a large enough hole for the hemp beading twine. The drilling makes some shell dust (visible on table).



The Snake Shekere has its snakehead beads.

Make a Shakere is sponsored by Fertility Futures, a firm focused on helping make families possible. Many would be parents are unable to realize their dreams of a family with children due to fertility issues. Fertility Futures brings medical specialists and counselors to bear on these difficult problems, helping couples with a range of solutions from fertility therapy through the use of surrogates to carry a child through pregancy for a family. In order to support this service, Fertility Futures also solicits egg donors for its ova donation program. People who face challenges in becoming parents, or healthy women who are willing to become egg donors should consider visiting Fertility Futures.

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