Rattle is an ancient musical instrument, originally used mainly for shamanic rites. It can be made of wood, pumpkin shell, turtle armor and leather. But if you only have a dry poppy fruit, that’s fine too. I once bought a leather one from a friend of mine and got the urge to make it.
Untanned skin isn’t easy to get, but luckily I have drum-making friends who are happy to give away waste skins.
The whole procedure is not a big deal, but if you don’t feel it, you can easily spoil it. If the skin is too thick, the rattle’s voice will be soft and dull. If it is too thin, dents. If the two halves of the rattle are of different quality and the fiber direction is also different, the whole body will be deformed and twisted after drying.
Now, let's have a look at a tulip-form rattle!
I soak the skins a few hours before I make a sketch then cut it from paper, it will be the template. I take the skin out of the water, soak the moisture with a cloth, and spread it out on the table. I will see from which part of the skin it is worth cutting out the shape.
I draw the shape around twice. If it is asymmetric, I draw mirrored shapes. I cut it with sharp scissors.
If the skin is soft enough, I hold the two halves together with tweezers and make holes in the edges with a leather punch, approx. 4mm apart.
When it's ready, I sew the halves with strong cord.
Then I fill the "bag" with dry sand, compressing it with a stick. Then take a stick (20-25-30 cm long) and put it in the hole and keep it dry for 1-2 days.
After drying I remove the sand and fill the bag with rice or other seeds. I test its sound before I permanently glue it on the stick.
Well, it also can be decorated in many ways, by painting and putting some small bells on the neck.
This is only for persistent people because it needs many patience and time.
@skyleap