Cut a bag, in your chosen color, made of a natural material like cotton, linen or silk to your desired size (3 X 3 is a good size) then stitch around the bottom and two sides. Use a punch or grommet tool to add holes around the opening of the bag. Thread a 12 inch cotton or silk cord thru the holes - you can use leather with grommets but they bind on the cloth if you're just using a punch. If you're going to wear the amulet around your neck you'll probably be happy with a 36 inch cord. An alternate method is to use twine or hemp threaded into a large upholstery needle and then just use a wide running stitch around the top of the bag. Pull the twine through so you have the length you need on each end. Decorate the outside of the bag with any symbols that you feel will add to the effectiveness of the amulet, then place your chosen items inside the bag and close.

This type of amulet is sometimes called a poppet. It's especially effective when you are creating an amulet when you are doing work for someone else (with their permission of course). Fold a piece of cloth in half, pin it together around the perimeter and draw your poppet design, about six to eight inches tall is a good size. Cut out your poppet and stitch all the way around. Tie off your ending stitch leaving enough of an opening to stuff it. Decorate your poppet, front and back, with appropriate symbols: Zodiac sign, talismanic symbols, runes, write the person's name in magical script, whatever you feel is important. Using the poppet you can individualize the amulet by adding little features that resemble the person. You can even sew a little of the person's hair to the top of the poppet's head and color the eyes appropriately adding glasses or facial hair. Stuff the inside of the poppet with the materials you've gathered: hair, nail clippings, gemstones, talismans and/or personal items, then finish stuffing it with dried herbs if you wish (sage is always appropriate).

You can make your amulets as simple or as elaborate as you want. You can stitch them from the topside of the fabric or the bottom of the fabric and then turn them inside out before finishing them up. You can stitch them up on a sewing machine to save time but hand stitching gives you time to think about the reason for the working and creates a strong energy for the amulet. Of course, you can always use a purchased bag. A well constructed bag is essential if you are constantly changing out the contents of your amulet.