Friday, October 12, 2012

Bubblegum Wrappers and Duct Tape

Do you ever wonder what Bubblegum Wrappers and Duck Brand Duct tape have in common?

 
Well, the answer is that you can use them both to make bracelets and other crafts!
 I'm sure by now you have seen the chains made of bubble gum wrappers that are used to make bags, bracelets, chains and more!
 
SHORT bubblegum chain
 
Funny Memory: When I was younger, I remember hoarding all my gum wrappers under my bed to make long chais to go all the way around my room. I even remember standing in line at the Rite Aid digging for extra change to get those last few gum packs because I just HAD to make my chain a few feet longer to beat my friend's chain!
 
It has been harder and harder to find those gum wrappers, so people have been creative by using starburst wrappers and even chip bag wrappers to do the same thing.
 
Figure 1

 In fact, a few weeks ago, my Girl Scout Troop did a craft where we recycled old magazines to make bracelets in the same method.

Once you get the hang of the methodical filding of each wrapper, the rest of the project is a piece of cake!


So, I was sitting here thinking....if we can resort to using chip bags, why not DUCT TAPE!


DIY: Duct Tape Chain Bracelet

Finished Product :)

SUPPLIES:
  • Various Colors of duct tape, we used 6 colors (or one color, if you dislike the rainbow look)
  • sissors or Xacto Knife
  • Cutting surface
  • Ruler
  • Tiny magnets or some velcro
DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut 6 different strips of Duck® tape, one strip of each color - each measuring about 9 inches in length.


2.  Cut each strip in half. Now they measure about 4.5 inches in length. You should have 12 strips

3. Cut each 4.5-inch strip in half lengthwise.  You should have 24 strips

4. Fold each strip in half length-wise, sticky side together. This is the perfect dimmension for the bracelet!

5. Making a link: fold one stip in half & crease. Open the fold. Fold each end towards the middle crease. Fold in half again (FIG.1). Repeat.

6. To join the links, insert the ends of one link in the folds of the other link (FIG. 1).

7. Continue making the links and joining them to the previous link until the bracelet measures the length you need it for your wrist. Make it overlap a bit for the closure by adding ONE more link now.


8. Apply the magnets or velcro to the last and first link to make the closure

Your finished product should resemble the one pictured above.


Hope you enjoyed this DIY project and spend some time reconnecting to a fav childhood pasttime. Ohh, and don't forget to post a pic of the finished project, if you try....or really any other duct tape creation...I would love to see them!

Thanks for stopping by....



1 comment:

Adorably Dead said...

Awesome!

Hmmm...magnets instead of velcro. Also sweet.