Greetings neighbors! Today on Mass Appeal we will be showing you how to make fun bracelets for all ages from plastic bottles. Save everything from lemon juice bottles, milk jugs, soda and water bottles. These will come in handy. When designing jewelry, materials don’t matter as much as color combining to make a piece look appealing. The artisans in India do bold color combinations better than anyone. You don’t need expensive materials to make something fun and wearable.

First, you want to decide what style fits you best. Do you like floral styles, denim, black and white, pearls or southwest? Start by choosing your style and colors. With this craft you can use fabric, paints, beads, aluminum foil, nail polish, paper, newspaper, old t-shirts, rhinestones, yarn, etc.

NEEDED ITEMS:

Plastic bottle

White glue

Hot glue

Iron

Decorations such as embroidery thread, yarn, felt, rhinestones, buttons, etc.

The plastic bottle is your base. All you need to secure these items to the bottle is regular white glue. If you use a glue gun, be aware it can melt the bangle so use it sparingly.

STEP 1

Cut the bottle into 3 parts like this:

STEP 2

Cut the center portion into segments for bracelets. A liter bottle will give you a few bracelets. Smart water & lemon juice bottles work really well.

STEP 3

In circular motions, melt the edges on an iron. Use medium heat. It only takes a few seconds. When the edges curl slightly inward, STOP.

STEP 4

DECORATE! You can paint the outside with acrylic paint, cover with felt, glue rhinestones, etc. The first bangle is made with embroidery thread and a string of plastic beads.

Start by winding the thread around a book like this:

Cut the thread and glue the edges with a hot glue gun. Then glue it inside the bangle like this:

Wrap the thread around the bangle at an angle and glue inside like this:

Next, take some beads ON THE STRING and glue them in the center. Secure the ends with hot glue.

To secure the beads long term and to add some color, wrap a single embroidery thread around the bangle between each bead like this:

Here is the finished product. Each bangle was covered with different materials.

The black and red one was first painted, then an onion sack was glue over the bangle. I glued in black felt on the inside for added comfort. The medallion is from a broken piece of jewelry.

For the Barbie bracelet, I covered the bangle with felt, then glued on rhinestones with waterproof E6000 glue.

For the My Little Pony bracelet, I did the wrap technique with silver yarn, then glued on the flat back decorations.

As always, if you are in Massachusetts and want to make this craft but don’t have jewelry findings like pendants, jump rings, clasps, etc., just email or text me and I’ll send you findings free of charge! Here’s the store # and email: 413-512-3714 info@fancythatantiques.com If you are outside of Mass, I will only charge you a small fee for findings plus shipping. I buy my findings HERE.

I hope you enjoy making these with your kiddos. You can make some really amazing pieces of jewelry with recycled plastic. Let me know if you need any help. See you again on the 29th for another fun jewelry craft at home! We will be making faux burnished metal jewelry so, save the following if you want to join us. Here’s what you will need:

white glue

aluminum foil

brown paper bags

See you soon my friends. Try to have as much fun with your kids at home as you can. They won’t be with us forever.

Love,

Malena