Yes, you have read it right. You can readily fashion bracelets out of your used shampoo bottles. Of course, the size of your bracelets highly depends on the size of used shampoo bottles that you intend to recycle. If you are planning to encourage your kids to do this at home, don’t leave them unsupervised, particularly when the used shampoo bottles need to be cut or shaped. But when it is time to wrap and decorate the bracelets, you can already let your kids enjoy. This is definitely fun for kids who are at least 8 years old. Here are your guidelines:
- Step 1. Assemble the things that you need. Begin with your used shampoo bottles. Go for those that are made out of soft plastic. Ideally, they should be at least 18 oz. Next is your box cutter. A utility knife or a small handsaw can be a good alternative. Then, gather your crafting materials like yarns, ribbons, decorative beads, colored sequins, plastic jewels, and the likes. Of course, don’t miss your craft glue. You can also use a hot glue gun.
- Step 2. Set up your working area. It is safe to designate a table. Make sure that its surface is sturdy. You are going to use it in cutting your used shampoo bottles.
- Step 3. Get one of your used shampoo bottles. Place it on your working table. Prepare to cut it by holding it firmly. Allow your hand to hold the topmost end.
- Step 4. Bring out your box cutter. Take out the bottom part of your used shampoo bottle. That should about ¼” from the bottom. You can discard it right after. You really don’t need it in putting together your bracelets.
- Step 5. Proceed by cutting segments out of your used shampoo bottle. Each segment should be between ¾” and 1”. Keep your used shampoo bottle firmly positioned on your working table while you are cutting the segments. When you only have about 3” left in your used shampoo bottle, stop cutting. That makes holding the topmost end quite difficult. Depending on the actual size of your used shampoo bottle, you should have already cut a few rings (or segments).
- Step 6. Get your yarn or your ribbon. Glue its end and attach it inside one of your newly cut rings. Hold or press the end for a while until the glue completely dries up.
- Step 7. Start wrapping your yarn or your ribbon about the ring. Make your wrapping even and consistent. Don’t rush this. Your goal is to achieve a clean finish. When you have already covered the entire ring, cut your yarn or your ribbon. Again, glue its end. See to it that the end of your yarn or your ribbon is properly tucked inside the ring. Hold the end for a while until the glue can firmly hold it.
- Step 8. You can now invite your kids to embellish the bracelet. They can decorate it with beads, sequins, and some plastic jewels. It is important to match the decorations with the color of your yarn or your ribbon. Instruct them to simply keep the decorations outside the bracelet.
The bracelet can only be worn when the glue has thoroughly dried up!
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