Seashells captivate me; the cowrie shell, in particular, is one of my favorite craft decorations. It’s easy to work with and adds a tropical, wild touch to any artwork.

Since childhood, I have admired tribes from around the world and their tradition of wearing these shells. I love collecting them at the beach during the season and using them to create jewelry, shoes, or home decorations. Living on a Caribbean island, the ocean serves as my constant inspiration.

Crafting this leather slipper was easy; it took only a few hours to complete. Since the leather lacked holes and was quite thick, I chose not to sew it. Instead, I used glue to attach the finished decoration directly onto it.

• Slipper
• 4 woven bracelet
• Cowrie shells (52p)
• 3 differents colors of beads (3mm-about 160p- more than 50/color)
• Gorilla glue (liquide)
• Needle and thread (white and pink)
• Metal hair roller clips
• Painting brush or cotton stick
• Scissors
• Gloves

1. Put the woven bracelet on the strap and secure it with hair roller clips. I use these clips because they hold tight. Now you can determine how much excess material to trim in order to cover it completely. Repeat on both sides.

2. After cutting the edges, seal the ends with a lighter.

3. String the beads to match the size of the bracelet then sew them onto it.

4. Sew the shells on the other side with white thread.

5. The final step is to glue them onto the straps. I opted for Gorilla Glue Liquid this time, as it doesn’t dry immediately, allowing 2-3 hours for adjustments. Use gloves for hand protection! Apply the glue with a painting brush or cotton stick to avoid ugly patches on the leather due to excess. Secure it with strong clips to prevent displacement while it dries.

A good suggestion would be to work on one side at a time, especially since, as mentioned, the glue can still slip easily before hardening. It might be better to continue with the other pair.

After a few hours, your ‘tribal shoes’ are ready to wear:)

I’m happy I chose these bead colors because they go well with any color summer dress.

What I love about hand-decorated sandals is the endless choice of colors and styles. Your slipper transforms into a piece of jewelry for your feet, allowing you to express your unique taste and creativity with every step.

This was my first time using glue to attach decorations to leather shoes. Decorating soft textile sandals is different ; you can sew beads and shells onto them. I’d like to find out if it’s possible to achieve nice results without making any holes to attach them.

The answer is YES! The most challenging part was finding “THE GLUE.” I tried seven different glues, many designed for leather texture, but none worked; they fell off with a stronger pull.

The winner turned out to be Gorilla Glue, as you can see in the photo. It’s exceptionally strong, especially the gel type that adheres immediately. However, be cautious as it dries rapidly within a few seconds. For any selling item like jewelry or shoes, this would be my top choice due to its durability. Please use gloves every time you use it.

Let’s jump in:)

You need:

• One pair of leather shoes.
• Cowrie and white moon shells
• Gorilla Super Glue gel with GLOVES
• Turquoise flat-back cabochons (teardrop or oval form).
• Orange/coral flat-back cabochons (round)
• 3mm light blue beads (not shown in the photo)
• Needle and thread (white)
• Paintbrush or cotton stick
• Forceps or hair roller clips. 😮
• Scissors
• White pencil

1. Measure the ankle strap part vertically to find the middle line. Horizontally, determine the length of the bracelet you need. I used a white pencil to draw the line.

2. String the shells with the beads using your preferred technique. I chose the “infinity” form. I used 8 cowrie shells and 7 pieces of 3mm beads, which perfectly covered the ankle strap.

3. Before using the glue, clip it in the middle. A strong hair roller clip works well too. This makes it easier to stick on the first pieces. Ensure the strap is close in a tube form; otherwise, if you stick it on the flat piece, after drying, you won’t be able to put it around your ankle. I placed the beaded piece slightly under the middle line because the moon shells need more space at the upper part. Please use gloves when working with the glue! I use a thin paintbrush to apply the glue. The beads won’t touch the leather; you should stick only the back of the shells. Apply pressure for about 10 seconds.

4. Stick the flat back orange cabochons one by one between the shells. Use again a thin paintbrush or cotton stick to avoid putting too much glue; excess glue may leave an ugly patch.

5. I placed two turquoise tear-drop forms around every second orange one because there is not enough space to put them around all of them.

6. The last step on the strap is to stick the white moon shells. Gently apply the glue only to the surface that will lie on the shoes; otherwise, you might accidentally stick your finger to the shell while pushing them.

7. I added two more cabochon combo on the lower part with 3 extra cowrie shells.

8. Make three beaded rings and stick them around the shells. Repeat the same steps with the other pair. Now you are done.

During the decoration, I used artificial light, which is why you can see a significant difference in colors. The final result was captured in sunlight.

Crafting unique shoes is a joyful moment. Remember, creativity knows no bounds, and your personal touch can transform any pair of shoes into a wearable masterpiece. Embrace your artistic flair, and step out in style!

Feel free to customize it based on the tone and message you want to convey.