Mark the beat colorfully with this shaker, made with a juice container and Americana® Multi-Surface Acrylics.

SUPPLIES

• sandpaper
• paintbrush
• clean cloth
• assorted beads
• seashell necklace
• plastic juice container

INSTRUCTIONS

1. The West African percussion instrument called the Shekere is traditionally made from dried gourds with cowry shells or beads tied to the outside. Typically the shape of the gourd determines the sound. But we can make our own inspired Shekere (shaker) from a recycled juice container and beads.

2. Wash out and dry a plastic juice container.

3. Lightly sand the surface of the container. Wipe away sand dust with a clean cloth.

4. Paint the entire body of the container with a mix of Jungle Green and Sky Blue. Let dry. When completely dry, mix Coffee Bean, Cotton Ball, and Pumpkin Patch; use the mix to paint the lid and to paint the lines on the body of the shaker. Allow to dry.

5. Paint a lighter mix of Cotton Ball and Canary over the lines to give dimension. Let dry.

6. Paint the round cowry shell shapes with Black Tie, spaced out over the lines. Allow to dry.

7. Paint over the top of the Black Tie shapes with a mix of Cotton Ball and Pumpkin Patch. (Leave some of the Black Tie showing for the inside of the shell shape and some of the edges). Let dry and paint some highlights on the shell shapes with Cotton Ball. Let dry and wrap the shell necklace around the neck of the container. If using loose small shells, place them inside the container.

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