The video below shows how to prepare the vanilla beans for the extraction process; it is written here as well. Cut the vanilla beans in half lengthwise with a sharp knife. Using a dull butter knife, scrape out the pulp inside the beans and set the pulp aside. Cut the bean skins into 1 or 2 inch long pieces. Once all of the vanilla beans have been prepared drop the vanilla bean pulp and the vanilla bean skins into your glass jar or bottle. Fill the bottle with the vodka, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Seal tightly and shake vigorously for 3 minutes.

Store in cool dark place (I put mine in the back of a kitchen cupboard) and shake once a week for two months. You can begin using the extract after it has aged for two months, and make sure to use all of the extract within a year of the date you made it.