How the original Wampums are made: This was done with shells and thread. The beads are made from the shells of shellfish. They are cut from the white and purple parts. After that, the beads are rounded, sanded, and drilled to make a bead. Then it is woven with thread to eventually make a Wampum. Because it goes through so many stages, the Wampum is very valuable. The Lenape lived in longhouses.