✨ I Made a Beaded Cultural Set for My Niece, Here's the Story + DIY Guide

Hello Hive friends 👋🏽

Just wanted to share a small but special DIY project I finished earlier today, a traditional bead set I made for my sister’s daughter for her school’s cultural party. It's a simple design, made with love and crafted to match her Yoruba outfit. Let me gist you how it all happened 👇🏽

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📸 It All Started With My Daughter’s Igbo Bead Set

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Last week, my daughter had her school’s cultural day, and I made her a full Igbo traditional bead set the kind with bright coral beads that adds royalty to any look. She wore it proudly and I posted some pictures afterward.

Not long after, my sister called me. She loved the beads and asked me to make one for her daughter too, in case her girl ended up in the Igbo group.

But guess what? When the school dropped the cultural group list, her daughter landed in the Yoruba group instead 😅

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👗 Yoruba Dress, Igbo Beads? Nah

Yoruba girls usually wear ìró and bùbá, with bold gele and subtle beads not the chunky Igbo style. So I had to switch plans and make something more fitting.

Today, I brought out my beads and string a simple set that pairs beautifully with traditional Yoruba wear. Just a pair of earrings, two necklaces and two matching bracelets. I didn’t use a hook, so I measured the necklace using my daughter’s neck to be sure it would fit right.

And because her school party is coming up next week, I sent the set via airline courier so it reaches her on time ✈️🎁

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🌍 Nigeria’s Cultural Beauty

For those who don’t know, Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, but three are the major ones:

• Yoruba (Southwest) : known for aso-oke, gele, and beautifully layered wrappers (ìró and bùbá).

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• Igbo (Southeast) : known for Isiagu, George wrappers, and coral beads.

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• Hausa (North) : known for babanriga, rich embroidery, and caps (fila).

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Each tribe has its own fashion, food, and rhythm. And I really love how these school cultural events give the kids a chance to connect with those roots.

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🧵 Crafting the Beads

Here’s how I made the set:

• I used lightweight coral beads in flower and pipe shapes.

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• I cut a strong thread,It’s better to cut a little extra than too short.

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• Thread the beads onto the string. You can alternate between the round and flower-shaped beads for a more interesting pattern.

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• Keep adding beads until you reach your desired length. For a necklace, make sure it’s long enough to fit comfortably over the child’s head. I tested the size on my daughter to make sure it would fit her cousin (since kids’ necks are usually around the same range).

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• Once I was done, I tied a strong knot at the end of the thread. Use a lighter to carefully melt the tip of the thread to prevent fraying

• Then I made two matching bracelets and earrings to complete the set. I repeat the same process to make bracelets and earrings. For earrings, attach a few beads to an earring hook and for bracelet I used a red elastic thread.

Simple, elegant, and kid-friendly.

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📦 Final Look

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❤️ Wrapping Up

These small DIY projects mean a lot to me. Not just because they save money or look cute but because they carry love, tradition, and creativity. Let’s keep celebrating our culture and creativity in our own unique ways 🧶🧡

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Till next time,
@chatsunny

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