You’ve never seen popsicle stick bracelets like these! Learn how to make them super stylish with beads, paint, chains, and more. This tutorial is for all ages, from kid to adult.
Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never crafted before, you’ll be able to tackle this project. There’s boiling, painting, and gluing. It’s all relatively easy.
It’s back to school craft time and there is nothing quite as quintessentially crafty as the popsicle stick; a craft supply so basic, yet so full of possibilities!
So today I’m sharing with you a fashion craft that takes the popsicle stick to the next level: these fab popsicle stick bracelets! Normally this would be considered a kids’ craft, and it still is (teens and tweens love this idea). However, I think you’ll see that this can be a fun craft idea for adults as well!
These suckers are so easy to make, the varieties are endless, and your wrist is gonna look FAB. Here’s how you make them:
Popsicle Stick Bracelets
Supplies:
- Popsicle sticks
- Hot glue gun + sticks
- Beads
- Jewelry chain
- Paint (optional)
Popsicle Sticks to Use
You can use any popsicle sticks for this project – the thicker the better, to be honest. The tiny, thin ones snap more easily when they are being bent. I used the larger ones from the children’s section of the craft store.
You aren’t going to bend them all the way shut, so don’t get concerned about them not fitting. They’ll only be halfway to two-thirds of a way around the wrist, and the rest is added with chain. Kids probably won’t need the chain and can wear them as cuffs, but this tutorial covers everyone.
How to Bend Popsicle Sticks
Fill a pot with water and toss in popsicle sticks. Place on the stove and let boil for 30 minutes. Boiling the sticks will make them very pliable.
Remove sticks from water and let them cool for a minute or two, then very carefully bend the sticks into a half circle and slide into a glass or jar (I used a jam jar).
Bake Their Shape
Set oven to 200 degrees and place jars in the oven, baking for another 30 minutes. Baking them will dry them out and help them to keep their shape. Carefully remove from oven after 30 minutes.
Paint your popsicle stick bracelets if you so desire! Some of them were painted, and others of them were left plain.
Attach the Chain and Gems
Attach beads using a glue gun. You can also use E-6000 or a stronger craft glue.
Attach the jewelry chain. You can do this by nailing a small hole on each end of the stick (most of my sticks split when I tried this), or gluing a bead on each end to hold the chain in place. I didn’t try drilling, but that could be another option.
You’re done with your popsicle stick bracelets! Stack them up and get to lookin’ sassy!
Have you ever seen popsicle sticks look this good?? I couldn’t stop making various versions with paint, gems, rhinestones, and other embellishments. The combinations are endless!
I find that these popsicle stick bracelets are cool enough for adults . . . and teens love them too.
Popsicle Stick Bracelets
Equipment
- Jewelry pliers
- Jewelry cutters
Materials
- 6 Popsicle sticks
- Beads
- Jewelry chain
- Acrylic paint
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water and toss in the popsicle sticks. Place on the stove and let boil for 30 minutes. Boiling the sticks will make them very pliable.
- Remove sticks from water and let them cool for a minute or two, then very carefully bend the sticks into a half circle and slide into a glass or jar.
- Set oven to 200 degrees and place jars in the oven, baking for another 30 minutes. Carefully remove from oven after 30 minutes.
- Paint the popsicle sticks and allow to dry.
- Attach beads using glue gun.
- Attach jewelry chain to finish.
Video
What are your other favorite popsicle stick crafts? I’d love to hear your ideas!
Be sure to come visit my sister and me as we blog about style, food, and the things we love over at The Pretty Life Girls. Check these related posts out before you go:
Pat Duckworth
Friday 13th of April 2018
For the bracelets you could maybe punch the holes in the sticks when you take them out of the water before putting them in the oven. Also you could use ribbon or cording instead of chain. I don't know if this would work but it's an idea anyway.
Paige
Wednesday 26th of August 2015
The pretty life girls do it again! I love these bracelets! They're such a fun and unique idea!
Paige https://www.thehappyflammily.com/
Amy
Wednesday 26th of August 2015
They are so amazing, right?? I don't know how they do it - making popsicle sticks look glamorous. I bow to them.