I was shopping today and saw very pretty beaded flipflops in Monsoon, for about 50euro (about $50) so I went to a cheap shoe shop and bought a pair of plain ones for 5..that and a handful of beads and about half an hour to make these.
this is how they looked to start. Just make sure that as well as cheap. they are comfortable!
So how to do it. Use dental floss, strong, cheap, no special trip to the craft store and you can knot it properly. First thing to do is take about a yard or so, double it up and thread both ends through a standard sewing needle-my flip flops had a softish rubber 'straps' so a regular sewing needle was fine, you might need something sturdier.
start at the end of one strap, working from the top, push the needle through, this will leave the double end of the thread at the top, bring the needle back up through the strap and pass it through the loop of the dental floss, pull tight. This will secure it without any knots.
then thread some beads on. Once you have beaded an inch or so, secure it by pushing the needle through the strap and back up again.
When you come back to the topside of the strap, pass the floss a second time through a bead that is already threaded, this will make it extra secure. Continue beading all around the band, use a nice big pretty bead at the aapex (ie at the bit that goes through your toes). Secure the beads every inch or so by stitching through the band.
Remember in general to use beads going from smaller at the sides to larger at the apex.
I added a second string of beads at the apex, as there was already a shiny plastic bead there and it needed something more, I also added a dangly charm.
When you have worked your way from the apex to the end of the strap, secure the last bead by going through the strap and back up again. Then take one of the threads out of the needle, bring that through either the band again, or a bead and tie a secure double knot with the other piece of floss. Cut the ends to about an inch, thread them through the beads to neaten.
I used a piece of sandpaper to rub off the printed size..Taking these to France with me
wear and enjoy
