40 wooden beads, 20 mm diameter, in cream and natural wood tones
10 wooden skull beads, 18-20 mm, in white or bone colour
Strong clear-drying craft glue (such as a jewellery glue)
Tapestry needle, size 18
Scissors
Step by Step
Cut the velvet ribbon to 180 cm. Thread the tapestry needle with the ribbon (fold the ribbon end to a point and ease it through the needle eye; a small piece of tape wrapped around the tip helps stiffen it).
Thread beads onto the ribbon in a loose pattern: two cream wooden beads, one skull bead, two natural beads, one skull bead. Repeat until you have used all the beads or reached the last 15 cm at each end.
Once all the beads are on, push them gently towards the centre so they sit with about 1 cm of ribbon showing between each bead. This gives the strand a relaxed, slightly draped look rather than a tight packed line.
Tie a double knot at each end of the ribbon, just outside the last bead, to stop them sliding off.
Put a small dot of clear craft glue on each end knot and let it dry for five minutes. This is the only step where anything can go wrong: skip the glue and the knot will eventually loosen.
Hang by tying the ribbon ends to two hooks, or loop each end over a small nail.