Sunday, August 21, 2011

Plastic bottle cuff bracelets


This is a quick craft to do with kids and I bet you have everything you need right at home. Here we go!

Get a plastic bottle. I used a 2 liter bottle, but I think a smaller bottle would work even better (you'll see why later on). Carefully, cut the top and bottom off and cut it open to make a rectangular shape.


You'll need material. Any material will work. I used an old white t-shirt and part of a patterned dress of Vaughn's that didn't fit anymore. Draw designs with permanent markers.


Use duct tape to tape the bottle down to cardboard. This will keep it from rolling up onto itself. 

You'll also need tacky glue. Spread a layer all over the inside of the bottle. I used a folded up piece of magazine to spread it out because I'm high tech like that. 


Don't worry, it dries clear.

Press your already drawn on fabric, face down, onto the glue.


Let it dry completely - mine took more than a few hours.

For the kids I stuck to 1 inch wide by 5 inches long. Cut with sharp scissors or even a rotary cutter. Rounding the corners adds a nice touch also. 


If the bracelet is too loose, wrap a rubber band around it and let it sit in the sun for a few hours. I had to do this with ours. I think this is why using a smaller plastic bottle would work better than a 2 liter bottle. Or you could even use a paper punch to punch holes in the ends and tie it closed with ribbon.


Voila!




I think this project has definite jumping off potential. I'm tempted to try a more "adult" one for myself using a scrap of already patterned material and then using some sort of trim to finish the edges off. I'll keep you updated!  

By the way, I found this idea in Todd Oldham's Kid Made Modern book.

Enjoy and have fun!

37 Responses to “Plastic bottle cuff bracelets”

  1. Those are awesome! My daughter would love to make these. Thanks for linking up to the creative bloggers' party & hop! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this idea. I can't wait to try it myself. Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't wait to make these with my nieces! Your turned out AWESOME. I just pinned this!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cute!!!!! I will have to try those!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love this! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I gave you an award at: http://freethingsbybritney.blogspot.com/2011/08/versatile-blogger-award.html

    I'm a new follower, too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are cute and really inexpensive! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Who doesn't love a good cuff!?! This is a super cute and easy idea. I just found your site through a blog party and am a new follower. I would love for you to link your post up at my Savvy HomeMade blog party at

    http://www.homesavvyatoz.com/blog-party-4

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are so cute!

    I was out searching for kid's crafts to feature on Fun Family Crafts, a site similar to Craftgawker (but kid's crafts only) when I came across this. I would love it if you would submit it! http://funfamilycrafts.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks so much for the great comments! I appreciate all the feedback. Hope you try it out and if you do, let me know how they turned out!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I would have never thought of this. It's almost like a snap bracelet.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Suzanne, you're right! That's exactly what they're like!

    ReplyDelete
  13. My daughters would LOVE to make these! Would love for you to link this up to my (wow me) wednesday link party going on right now on my blog. :) (I'm a new follower, too!)

    Ginger
    gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
    New follower from the Creative Bloggers hop. Hope you stop by for a visit.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cool idea. I wonder does stretch fabric work better than regular cotton weave? I'm tempted to try this one! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Seaweed & Raine, I'm not sure that it would make a difference. The cotton t-shirt was nice because it soaked up the glue which makes it adhere well. Also, when you're pressing the material down into the tacky glue the material spreads and stretches quite nicely. You can work it in the direction you need it to go. Give it a whirl and let me know if you try it out!

    ReplyDelete
  17. VERY CUTE! I don't have any kids at my house anymore but I am going to try this for myself! Like you said there are SO MANY possibilities/ways to go with this project. I saw your post over at the "Bear...." party

    ReplyDelete
  18. I still cannot believe these are made from plastic bottles! Thank you so much for linking up at Savvy HomeMade Monday. We are partying again and I hope you will stop by! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. what a great way to upcycle! i would have never thought of this.. they don't even look like they are made from bottles!

    thanks for linking this up to my tip-toe thru tuesday party last week!

    ReplyDelete
  20. what a fantastically fun upcyle idea! I will have to try this with my lil fashionista - she adores bracelets so this would be a HIT!


    Please stop by & share this on my child centered linky party - The Sunday Showcase (open thru Thurs) http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com/search/label/Sunday%20Showcase

    I will be sharing this on my FB page as well - so cute!

    Bern

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a creative idea and yes I also can see some cool adult bracelets being made. Very cool!

    I am a new follower from the Sunday Showcase. If you have a moment stop by http://messforless.blogspot.com
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow! I'm more impressed with all the different blogs you've "linked" to...can you teach me how to do that?

    I had already decided that I will use your ideas (and you have so many) when my granddaughter comes for visits ~ I can't wait. This one looks pretty do-able for me :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. featuring your cool bracelets on this weeks Sunday Showcase (linky goes live tomorrow night)

    Bernadette
    http://momto2poshlildivas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for the tutorial, I shared a link to it on The Craft Connection

    http://craft-connection.blogspot.com/2012/04/bracelets-from-plastic-bottles.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. complimenti bellissimi! Anche io creo bijoux riciclando puoi vederli sul mio blog http://maria-dalnienteatutto.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous1:19 AM

    That is a really good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Short but very precise info… Appreciate your sharing this
    one. A must read article!
    Here is my site last minute zonvakantie turkije

    ReplyDelete
  27. That is Soo pretty :D Check out my Blog http://inluvwithcrafts.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  28. I Done this at my blog :D

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hello Charisa.
    I came to your blog and loved the idea of ​​the bracelet pet bottle.
    It is super original.
    kisses,
    Sah Errera - Brazil

    Blog Sabrina Errera

    ReplyDelete
  30. It is good to have a blog which is showing such a great designs of bottles. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'd love for you to link up to our Crafts for Under Twenty Somethings party going on now. It's a blog hop specifically for kids and teens related "stuff", so your post would be perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous3:45 PM

    Yay, love this idea. Definitely gonna try this. Thanks for the cool craft

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous3:49 PM

    Thank for the cool ideas. I'm really into up-cycling, I love reusing something well more than once. Be blessed

    ReplyDelete
  34. Do you think this is sturdy enough to use as a cuff blank? I've been looking all over creation for a diy-able one.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Shirley!

    Hmmm….It has been quite some time ago that I made these with my kiddos but I do recall them being more bendy than stiff. It uses soda bottle plastic and that type is pretty thin.

    Good Luck with your search!

    ReplyDelete
  36. That is so cute, I would of never thought of that. I am definitely making me one or maybe a few! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  37. i like this idea and really looked loved i will try it

    ReplyDelete

 

Copyright © Charisa Darling | Premade Blog Design by Lilipop Designs