Recycled Plastic Pansy Bracelet Tutorial
This bracelet is not only super pretty and lightweight, it's also incredibly easy to make and customize! I used 2 of my favorite crafting materials: a hummus container for the plastic packaging and an image transfer from my old calendar. Just imagine the world of possibilities you have with this amazing technique! If you have never done an image transfer, I have a super easy tutorial that you can check out here.
Materials:
- Clear Plastic Packaging
- Image transfers with pansies (or picture of your choice)
- Clear adhesive
- Matching beads
- Jump rings
- Lobster clasp
- Chain
- Head pins
- Wire
Tools:
- Scissors
- Small hole punch
- Bent nose pliers
- Round nose pliers
- Flat nose pliers
- Wire cutters
Project Instructions
Step 1. Cut a piece of rounded plastic packaging into a small rectangle. It doesn't have to be perfect, it's actually better if you cut it out free-form for a more unique look. Round out the edges.
Step 2. Glue your image transfer to the piece of plastic packaging with the rough side down. Make sure to use a clear adhesive so that it doesn't affect the image. I used glossy accents to adhere my transfer to the plastic. You want the glossy side to be the right side up of the rectangle.
Step 3. Once the glue has dried, cut the excess transfer away from the plastic. Flip the rectangle over and mark 1 hole on each side where you want to attach the chain and punch out the holes with the small hole punch.
Step 4. Cut 2 pieces of chain for each side of the bracelet. Here you will want to measure so that you have a more exact fit. On average a bracelet is between 7 and 8 inches in total. I cut 1 of the chains to a longer size so that my bracelet could be adjusted. Attach the chains to the rectangle with jump rings. Attach a lobster clasp to one of the chains.
Step 5. Make a few dangles for the bracelet using the beads and head pins. Add these to the bracelet using jump rings. You can also add a bead to the end of the chain for a more finished look.
Step 6. You are now down with your bracelet!!! Enjoy showing it off to your friends and family, they will never believe you made it from recycled plastic packaging!!!
Variation:
Here is another bracelet I made using the same technique. Try using different images and colors for different effects. If you post on Twitter, make sure to add @junkmailcanvas so I can see your work! I can't wait to see what you can do with some plastic packing and image transfers!