Soooo, after my Part I post of crafting yarn bracelets, I sort of felt bad (inherent guilt, I know). Why you ask? Because well, I know not everyone has 5,000 empty tape rolls. So, this morning I stole one of Mister Lovee's cereal boxes, and tested an idea...
You might know that I love crafting with cereal box cardboard. It's easy to cut, accessible & perfect for crafting with.
As I was cutting up a box, I was marveling at how many bracelets you could really get out of one box. Depending on your size, you could probably have about 10. Isn't that fantastic?
Cut out cereal box strips to your desired width. Then, trim to fit whatever size wrist you would like, and wind some strong tape (I prefer packing tape, but masking will work too) around your seam. (overlap your seam a little bit)
I suggest using the inside matte cardboard side of your box, as your outside bracelet, rather than the glossy printed on side.
I suspected that if you started with a base of yarn wound around the cardboard, you would have a fairly sturdy bracelet to work with. It worked!
Of course, it isn't as firm as the tape rolls. But, in some curious way, I have to admit, I like the cereal boxes better, because they have this feel when you are done, of being mostly textile. Which I love.
Easy as pie.
And now, you don't have to scour the earth for empty tape rolls ;)
I have made two with this new base method so far...
Yes, I am addicted.
You knew I would spiral, didn't you?
;)
I decided to use up some scraps of ribbon and fabric that I had this time around...
Mister Lovee is crazy about these.
He can't believe that I am going to give these two away...
In fact...
You might get to own one...
Aren't these fun?
No glue, no mess.
Use up all your craft scraps, and...
You get something extra pretty and fun, and original too!
As for these two, leave me a howdy in the comment section, and I will choose two names in a couple of days, to gift these to. First name drawn will choose whichever one they want...
A little Friday fun. I will pick two names in a couple of days.
Also, do share if you make one. I can't wait to see. If you'd like, I'll share your creation here.
Fun fun!
Happy weekend!!!
Love, V
ps: Loving Charlotte Martin's recent album...
pss: I have had Bizarre Love Triangle in my head all summer. Teenage memories (thank goodness that the remaining members of Joy Division created New Order, as their songs were a huge part of my teens). In fact, Charlotte Martin does a beautiful cover of "Bizarre Love Triangle" that I listen to all the time. I picked it up on iTunes.
Vanessa, I love your blog! I read avidly. Something to do in those long lonely nights on the boat. You and I, I think we have similar gypsy tendencies. ;)
Posted by: Aleksandra | July 22, 2011 at 12:56 PM
These are so cute and creative. I may have to give them a whirl!
Posted by: Jenn | July 22, 2011 at 01:05 PM
OH cool! I'm so glad you figured this out! I'm about to have a whole load of cereal boxes delivered in the coming weeks for an art interactive I'm doing with teenagers in August... I may have to splice a few for my own desires...
Thanks for the magic...
Posted by: Sacred Arts Studio | July 22, 2011 at 01:12 PM
You never fail to amaze me with the things you come up with. My hubby is in construction, so I think I can sweet talk all the rolls out of him. But...I also really like the cereal box idea. I have some old shoe boxes, priority mail etc that I can with with too!
One of my brothers was the New Order fan, the rest of us liked Depeche Mode, etc. Great tune though!
Have a beautiful weekend!
Posted by: Poe | July 22, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Oooh, love that one with all the colorful bits toward the end, Vanessa! Very fun and whimsical looking. I wonder if those oatmeal containers might work, too {since they are already round}. "Sliced" up you could probably get a few bracelets out of that. Or is that too big?
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | July 22, 2011 at 01:32 PM
I love this making something out of almost nothing! brilliant!
Posted by: geraldine snape | July 22, 2011 at 01:34 PM
I cant wait to try it,thank you. I have been looking for crafts that dont require alot of new items to make.
Posted by: kathy c | July 22, 2011 at 01:37 PM
So delightful! This would be a fun craft with kids! I will keep this idea in mind for my daugher's next birthday because then you could make them to the size that works for kids. You are so very clever, Miss Vanessa!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
Posted by: Erin Prais-Hintz | July 22, 2011 at 01:43 PM
YES! Cereal boxes I have plenty of. Count me in for one of your wonderous creations so I can be inspired to create a few of my own to give away...
Posted by: Kathleen | July 22, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Amazing! I love an idea that reuses and upcycles into something original and quirky. Count me in on the giveaway, thanks.
Posted by: iris | July 22, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Hi there! Cereal boxes! What another great idea!these are so pretty! I can see how addicting it can be!
Keep cool and have a lovely weekend!
Kim
Posted by: Kim | July 22, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Hi, follow you on bloglovin. I'm always looking for new, innovative, haven't seen that before crafts, and I always find something here. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this!
Bracelets are fab!
Posted by: Judy | July 22, 2011 at 02:57 PM
I was thinking of doing one/some with cereal box card! (As I said yesterday, after I finish my current projects!) Glad you tested it out and it works well! :D They look so pretty! I understand why Mr loves them too! Overload on exclamation marks!! :D
Posted by: Amy | July 22, 2011 at 03:40 PM
These are SO cute! I will have to put them on my craft "to do" list!
Posted by: Celia | July 22, 2011 at 03:54 PM
ADORABLE! Me wants one....pick me pick me!!
Posted by: Tracie Hanson | July 22, 2011 at 04:01 PM
Poe, Depeche Mode was right on the top of my list too ;) Gosh, time slips so fast!
Posted by: a Fanciful Twist | July 22, 2011 at 04:07 PM
I would love to win one of your creations. For sure, pick me. Maybe it will inspire me to play next year when you have Alice's Tea Party.
Posted by: Marilyn | July 22, 2011 at 04:49 PM
These are so adorable! So easy, affordable and wonderfully frilly and oh so girly! Just love 'em!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Hodge | July 22, 2011 at 06:06 PM
I LOVE your bracelets!!! They are all stunning!
Posted by: Nathalie | July 22, 2011 at 06:48 PM
These are sooooo cute! And, they seem like something kids could make, too! I can't wait to make my own AND make some with my nieces! Thank you for helping me to be the "cool" aunt!
Posted by: lilli | July 22, 2011 at 08:31 PM
Vanessa, these bracelets are awesome!!!!.....your blog is my dreamland!....Ü....Becky
Posted by: Becky Karli | July 22, 2011 at 08:52 PM
Vanessa, I love your fanciful creations. This is a project I would like to try. I like the idea of creating something so pretty out of leftover bits and pieces.
Posted by: Charlene | July 22, 2011 at 09:14 PM
So cute! I would love to have one to wear to the Tea Party next year :)
Posted by: jennifer | July 22, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Bizarre Love Triangle!! AUGHGH!!
i love you.
This cereal box idea has changed EVERYTHING. All my weekend projects, Move Over!
I will send you some rings. And if I make a bracelet, I will send you a picture.
If anyone else sends you anything first, it was my idea! MINE!
(but honestly, I hope you get a million rings and bracelets and a crown or two.)
Posted by: Chris | July 22, 2011 at 09:33 PM
I will wear one roasting marshmallows around a gypsy campfire.....
Posted by: Jill James | July 23, 2011 at 12:07 AM
Beautiful! Whimsical! They remind me of your scarves! I would love to wear one ~~ love your blog!
Posted by: Sandy | July 23, 2011 at 06:54 AM
Such a crafty idea! I love making things out of recycled materials. My blog is down right now b/c I'm moving it to Wordpress, but when it's back up I will share what I do with glass jars. Beautiful and fun! ;)
Thanks for sharing all your ideas and craftiness.
--shelley
Posted by: spiceblogger | July 23, 2011 at 08:36 AM
So nice of you to be concerned for those of us out here who are empty-tape-roll-less! I can imagine what might have happened had you not provided the cereal box alternative. Man of the house stares downward. "Ummm, honey, why are there huge wads of unused tape in the trash can?" It does stop THAT pesky question from being asked. HA!
Posted by: Linda Diane | July 23, 2011 at 08:40 AM
These are so incredibly fun!!! And I love all the colors and textures you used...so artsy! I would love to WIN either of these so pleeeeeassseee sign me up :)))
Posted by: Sandra Lee | July 23, 2011 at 09:39 AM
I am definitely going to try this because they are too much fun, but I would love to have one of yours as well, so sign me up please. :)
Posted by: Betsy Bailey | July 23, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Ohhhhhh. Miss Vanessa,
What a wonderfully creative idea for scrap fabrics. I just love these. I am so thinking of making these for all my little nieces for Christmas. I just LOOOOOOVE them. So WHIMSICAL AND FUN.
Thank you so much for sharing another wonderfully enchanting creation.
hug,hug, kiss,kiss
wishes and whimsy,
Wendy from Wonderland
Posted by: Wendy from Wonderland | July 23, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Ooooo! Pick me! Pick me!
You are so much fun!
Hee! Hee!
Have a lovely weekend!
Miss Twinkle Toes Teresa
Posted by: Teresa in California | July 23, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Adorable craft wrapped around round.
Must look lovely with a hand full of flowers.
Posted by: GG Pinkster | July 23, 2011 at 02:23 PM
They are so much fun! I think the stripes really make everything pop too!
Enjoy the weekend!
Posted by: Lucinda Keller | July 23, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Oh how totally adorable. You always come up with such wonderful and creative items. Count me in.
Posted by: JenW!~ | July 23, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Oh, Great Miss V, giving me a reason now to save EVERYTHING! I'm trying to "let go" and be free! Just being tied down with paper, fabric, paints, glue, thread, needles, tape, crayons, pencils, brushes, SCISSORS and now cereal boxes!
Posted by: Terisa | July 23, 2011 at 11:51 PM
How clever and pretty these bracelets are, perfect for dress up, every day and dare I say afternoon tea. :) I especially enjoy all the dangling bits of fabric, they're so fun!
Posted by: Danni | July 24, 2011 at 06:36 AM
It is truly amazing the work of art that can come from a cereal box. It would be so much fun to win and wear one of your spectacular bracelets. How generous of you to give these gorgeous goodies away.
Posted by: Leslie | July 24, 2011 at 07:35 AM
oh my
i DO save empty tape rolls
and TP rolls, 2!!
{{ what*ever
does that say about moi? }}
:-)
over here
we do not eat raisin brand fast enough
as
i have been using the boxes
to make
those triangle banner pieces
that hang down
you know
for Happy Birthday Banners...
anyhoo
yes
yes
yes
i would Love to Win
a roundy~eco~bracelet...
i am very fond
of the black&white striped fabric
as
it seems so magical
doesn't it...
:-)
win or knot {{!!!}}
:-)
i am happy for the idea, missy!
Posted by: somepinkflowers | July 24, 2011 at 08:50 AM
Very cute. A good way to recycle cereal boxes,too.
Posted by: Renee | July 24, 2011 at 10:04 AM
A chance to win a delightsome bracelet from Fanciful, AZ?? Count me in!!!
Thanks for all your musings about "life, the universe and everything"...you get me to smile, to think, to be inspired.
Take care of you, and hoping the best for all in Fanciful, AZ (the green growies, too *grin*)
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 24, 2011 at 10:50 AM
I just love, love, love your blog...so inspiring! I wanted to let you know that I made your coffee filter corsages for a charity event (Enchanted Makeovers) where they are doing a vintage dance for a alternative girl's school. If you go to my blog and look at the june 14th post I put some pictures up. Thanks for the inspiration! Rachel
www.chippycottagecharmhouse.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rachel Knoblich | July 24, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Your blog is made of my daydreams, I swear. I love stopping by to read it.
Posted by: Elephangaroo | July 24, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Oh Happy Day for these color~de~lightful mood altering bracelets! Happiness exudes and they're just Fun, fun Fun and puts me in a festive mood to see. Don't you just know that anyone who wears one will be put under the good mood spell?
Thanks for dropping by and leaving your kind wishes. Always so lovely to hear from you, the fairy sister that you are!
Love,
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | July 24, 2011 at 01:26 PM
Love, Love, Love. You are so special
Posted by: Donna | July 24, 2011 at 05:45 PM
ooooh! guess what craft i'm going to make with my 3 daughters!? (ok, i would make a few even if i didn't have daughters. thanks for sharing!)
Posted by: Melissa | July 24, 2011 at 05:45 PM
Vanessa,
Your blog always makes me smile. Thank you.
Posted by: Trish | July 24, 2011 at 06:02 PM
MORE amazing beauties!!!! Thank you, Vanessa. We always have cereal boxes around. Hurray!!!! :) And thanks for sharing this recording artist - I must go check her out. I am ALWAYS on the lookout for wonderful new music. Have a enchanting evening! xoxo
Posted by: Theresa | July 24, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Love these! I have tons of yarn and ribbon scraps too and this is the perfect, fun way to use them up!
Posted by: Anne | July 24, 2011 at 08:43 PM
You are fabulous, you know that? I have missed so many of your posts lately, but I will enjoy going back and reading them, like hidden treasures forever captured in time.
You are always coming up with something new and so creative, I love that you have used materials that most people already have in their home that would get otherwise thrown out, and you have transformed them into fun, beautiful and functional things!
la perfection..
Posted by: Krista | July 24, 2011 at 10:29 PM