How to Make Bracelets from a Pringles Can

Pringles chips are sold in long, skinny cans made out of cardboard. You can use these cans for all sorts of fun projects, but one of the best is bracelets. Making bracelets from Pringles cans is fast, fun, and easy. Once you know how to make a basic bracelet, you can make all sorts of fun, creative designs!

EditSteps

EditCutting the Can

1. Find an empty Pringles can. If you cannot find an empty one, pour the chips inside into another container or into a plastic zippered bag. If you cannot find any Pringles cans, find another cardboard can that is wide enough for you to fit your hand into. Some pre-made, refrigerated pastry doughs come in cans that might be wide enough for this.
   
2. Wash and dry the inside of the can. Rinse the inside of the can with soap and water, then dry it off with a towel. If the outside of the can got wet and soggy, set the can out in the sun for a few hours to dry.
   
3. Cut the rim and bottom off of the can. It is better to do this first so that you don't accidentally include them in your measurements. Simply make a hole in the side of the can just below the rim, then cut around the can to remove the rim. Repeat this step for the bottom of the can. You can do this with a sharp pair of scissors or with a craft blade.^[1]
   
4. Make a mark on the side of the can from the top. Your bracelet will be wide. If you want the bracelet to be wider, make the mark lower. If you want the bracelet to be narrower, make the mark higher.^[2]
   
   • A black or blue permanent marker or ballpoint pen will work the best for this.
5. Trace around the can based on the mark that you drew. Wrap a piece of string, measuring tape, or a rubber band around your can. Make sure that it is at the same height as the mark that you drew. Use your string, measuring tape, or rubber band as a ruler to draw a line around the can.
   
6. Cut along the line that you drew. Use your scissors or craft blade to poke a hole into the cardboard, right on the line. Cut along the line to separate your bracelet from the tube. You can stop here, or you can continue cutting the tube apart to make more bracelets.^[3]
   
7. Trim off any fuzzy edges with scissors. Look over the top and bottom edges of your bracelet. If you notice any unevenness or "fuzz," cut it off with a pair of scissors. Do not get too carried away, however, or your bracelet will end up too narrow!
   

EditCreating a Ribbon Wrapped Bracelet

1. Choose a ribbon to wrap around the bracelet. Choose a satin or grosgrain ribbon in a color that you like. Something between wide would be ideal. If the ribbon is too narrow, you won't be able to cover the bracelet completely, and if the ribbon is too wide, it will wrinkle when you wrap it.
   
   • If you want something more vintage, cut a t-shirt into narrow strips, then pull on the strips to make the edges curl.^[4]
   • Use thinner ribbon for narrower bracelets, and wider ribbon for wider bracelets.
2. Cut the ribbon or take it off of the spool. If the ribbon is or less, take it off of the spool, and wrap it around your fingers to make a bundle. Slide the bundle off of your fingers and find the end. This will make it easier to pass the ribbon through the bracelet.
   
   • Plan on using at least of ribbon for this craft. How much you actually end up using depends on the width of your bracelet, the width of your ribbon, and how much you overlap the ribbon.
   • If the spool has more than on it, measure out about first, then proceed with the above step.
3. Glue the end of the ribbon to the inside of the bracelet. Place a drop of hot glue or fabric glue inside the bracelet. Press the end of your ribbon into the glue making sure that the shiny side of the ribbon is facing out.^[5]
   
   • If you are using t-shirt fabric, you can have the outside or the inside sticking out.
   • Rather than keeping the ribbon perpendicular to the bracelet, glue it at slight angle. This will make it easier to wrap.
4. Wrap the ribbon around the bracelet, overlapping it as you go. Pull the ribbon over the top edge of the bracelet, down the front, and under the bottom edge. Pull it through the inside of the bracelet and over the top edge again. Continue to wrap the ribbon around the bracelet in this fashion, making sure that you overlap the edges so that the can doesn't show.^[6]
   
   • How much you overlap is up to you, but somewhere between would be ideal.
   • Wrap the ribbon tight enough so that it lays smoothly, but not so tight that it bends the bracelet.
5. Add a drop of glue to the inside of the bracelet after every few wraps. You don't have to do this, but it will prevent the ribbon from unraveling. After 3 or 5 wraps, place a drop of hot glue or fabric glue inside the bracelet under the ribbon, then continue wrapping.^[7]
   
6. Glue a new piece of ribbon to the end of the old one if you run out. If you see that you are running out of ribbon, glue down the end of the ribbon to the inside of the bracelet and cut the excess off. Place a drop of hot glue or fabric glue right over the end of the ribbon. Press the end of your new ribbon into the glue, and keep wrapping.^[8]
   
   • Always attach new pieces of ribbon to the inside of the bracelet. If you attach it to the outside, the seam will show.
7. Cut and glue the ribbon to the inside of the bracelet. Once you are back to where you started, cut the ribbon so that it overlaps the end that you already glued down. Glue the ribbon down to the inside of the bracelet, making sure that you glue down the entire cut edge.^[9]
   
8. Embellish the bracelet as desired. You can leave the bracelet the way it is, or you can embellish it with beads, buttons, rhinestones, or brooches. Use hot glue or fabric glue to secure these items to your bracelet. Make sure that the colors and designs go together!^[10]
   
   • Small fabric flowers or cameos make a great vintage design.
   • Layer small buttons on top of larger ones to create a more colorful design.

EditMaking Other Types of Bracelets

1. Start with a bare Pringles bracelet. Cut a Pringles can into a bracelet following the method in Part 1. Make sure that the can is clean on the inside and the outside. It might be a good idea to cut several bracelets in case you mess up or want to make more.
   
2. Cover the outside of a bracelet with patterned fabric. Cut a strip of fabric that is the same width as your bracelet, and long enough to wrap around it. Cover the outside of your bracelet with glue, then wrap the fabric around it. Wait for the glue to dry, then embellish the bracelet as desired.^[11]
   
   • Cotton fabric with a small print on it works the best. Check out the quilting section in your local fabric store.
   • Embellish the bracelet with rhinestones, buttons, chains, or brooches for a fancier touch.
   • For a nicer finish, make the fabric twice as wide as the bracelet, then fold the top and bottom edges into the bracelet for a nicer finish.
3. Wrap self-adhesive paper around the bracelet for an easy craft. Cut a strip of patterned sticky paper that's long enough to wrap around the outside of your bracelet. Make sure that it is the same width, then peel the backing off. Wrap the paper around the outside of the bracelet, smoothing out any wrinkles.^[12]
   
   • You can also use self-adhesive shelf liner, duct tape, or even washi tape.
   • If you want to use scrapbooking paper or wrapping paper, coat the bracelet with tacky glue first, then wrap the paper around it.
   • If the paper does not have a waxy finish, seal the bracelet with clear, acrylic sealer. This will make it smoother.
4. Paint a bracelet with acrylic craft paint if you want something easy. Paint the bracelet a solid color using acrylic craft paint. Let the paint dry, then paint designs on it using a contrasting color. Stripes, polka dots, or geometric designs work great for this. Let the paint dry completely before wearing the bracelet.^[13]
   
   • Seal the bracelet with clear, acrylic sealer for a nicer finish.
   • Outline your designs using a permanent marker or paint pen. Black, white, silver, or gold are great choices.
5. Glue a thick yarn braid to a bracelet if you want a chunky bangle. Cut about 24 to 30 strands of yarn, then split them into 3 equal sections. Braid the 3 sections together to create a rope that is long enough to wrap around the outside of the bracelet, then cut and tie the ends with yarn. Glue the braid around the bracelet so that the ends touch.^[14]
   
   • The braid needs to be thick enough to cover the bracelet. Tug on the edges of the braid so that they touch the edges of the bracelet.
   • Hot glue or fabric glue will work the best for this, but you can use tacky glue too.
   • Glue a chunky rhinestone or a large button to the middle of the bracelet. You can also glue it over the ends of the braid instead to hide them.
6. Coat a bracelet with glue and glitter if you want something sparkly. Paint the bracelet white, or glue a white tissue over it. Paint the bracelet with white school glue, then roll it in glitter. Let the glitter dry, then paint it with clear, acrylic sealer. Let the sealer dry before using the bracelet.^[15]
   
   • If the bracelet is not sparkly enough, apply another coat of glue and glitter before you seal it.
   • The sealer must have a glossy finish, or the bracelet won't be sparkly anymore.
   • Mix chunky and fine glitter together for an interesting texture.
7. Paint a bracelet with pearly nail polish if you want a fancy bracelet. Paint your bracelet with nail polish that has a pearly finish. Let the nail polish dry, then add another coat if it looks too thin. Let the polish dry for 1 hour, then glue matching rhinestones to it. You can use the same type of rhinestone on your bracelet, or different shapes and colors.^[16]
   
   • Hot glue or super glue will work the best for this.
   • Seal the nail polish with clear polish or glitter polish to make it sparkle even more. Do this before you add the rhinestones.
8. Finished.
   

EditTips

• Test the fit of the bracelet before you decorate it. If it is too big, cut the side, then overlap the ends. Once you get the fit that you like, glue them together.
• If the bracelet is too small, cut the sides, then round the corners.

EditWarnings

• Children should be supervised during all steps involving scissors.
• An adult should handle all steps involving craft blades.
• Use low-temp hot glue guns. High-temp hot glue guns can cause painful blisters and burns.

EditThings You'll Need

• Empty Pringles can
• Pen
• Scissors or craft blade
• Ribbon
• Fabric glue or hot glue
• Embellishments (buttons, brooches, rhinestones, etc.)

EditSources and Citations

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from How to of the Day http://ift.tt/2BQazQM
via Peter