On some of my smaller rattles you will see a wrist strap. These are usually made of leather and hemp cord braided together in various colors and combinations. I also have a waxed cotton cord I like. They end up being thicker or thinner depending on the combination (3 leather cords braided is thicker then when braiding 1 leather cord with 2 hemp cords). They contain a gemstone, or wood, bead that slides making it adjustable. Also some small gemstone rondelles (which is like a half bead), or other small bead, at the end of each cord just for fun. I like them on small rattles that fit in my pocket. By request, I have placed some on larger handles. Sometimes a tiny little loop is placed because the individual wants to be able to hang their rattle somewhere.
I like a wrist strap because it secures the rattle to my hand. I never have to worry about putting it down, or in my pocket, if I need to use my hands. This is very useful if you are doing ceremony and need to light a candle, read a book, clap your hands or whatever. The rattle is right there waiting for you when needed. I also find this particularly helpful when I wonder in the mountain woods on a dark new moon night. The wrist strap helps me to still have my rattle when I get back to our cabin, chuckle. I learned to like them a lot through experience.
It’s not hard to place a wrist strap on a rattle. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Come up with a strap and if you don’t want to drill a hole just tie it around the base of the rattle. Or drill a small hole in your rattle and put it through. It’s so easy I take my drill, when vending, along with completed straps and offer to put them on in the moment.
I recently had a very nice weekend vending at Dancing Tree Festival 2023. I only put wrist straps on a few rattles so they can be seen, and requested if desired. For the first time I put out a sign with 10 wrist straps attached that said “Add a wrist strap”. It struck me funny because 4 people thought they were bracelets (well, that is a wrist strap). Even after my explanation they bought them as bracelets. Next time I will put out a sign with one side that is “Rattle Wrist Straps” and the other side will be “Wrist Strap Bracelets”.
