Super Cute Bracelets!!!

---Update---12/3/2011--- This post has been pinned like crazy on Pinterest and because of that a lot of readers have tried these out and have had a lot of questions. So I wanted to answer them as best as possible.
--- I felt like soaking was better than boiling but some sticks may take longer to soak then others. The shorter, thinner ones are going to be harder to bend so just work them gently, re-soak and repeat.
--- You will break some. Plus I think some batches of sticks from the manufacturers break easier then others.
--- Be sure to let them dry completely! If you don't they will expand. Also, the modge Podge or paint that you use will make them expand a bit too. I reccomend putting them in a smaller diameter cup than you need so that when they expand they won't be to big.
--- I bend them into the cup as gently as possible and then press with my fingers to mold it into the shape of the cup. If you have just few splinters it will still work. After letting it dry just sand down the splinters.
--- Last of all, be patient and have fun!!! Use your imagination! The possibilities are endless!
Thank you so much for reading! XOXO

Good afternoon! All 3 of my kids are sleeping right now so its an even better afternoon than usual! I thought I had better hurry and sneak downstairs and let you all know how I made these super cute bracelets before any of them woke up!! I was browsing blogs last week and Someday Crafts featured another blog called Suzy's Artsy Craftsy Sitcom who had made some bracelets from Popsicle sticks. Yep that's right Popsicle sticks!!! Who knew you could make something super cute out of something so simple!! To start out I bought some craft sticks from Hobby Lobby that were 8 inches long and a wavy shape. I wanted to spice them up a bit! Next I tried 2 different techniques to soften the wood. First I soaked them in water for about 3 hours to make them pliable. The second time I boiled them in hot water for about 15 minutes. Boiling them was faster but I found that it darkened the wood and seemed to make them more brittle. So, I will stick with soaking them for a few hours. Next carefully bend them into the inside of a cup. I used a cup that had about a 2 1/4 inch diameter. You will break some! Its just the nature of this project so plan accordingly. After letting them dry for about 24 hours I pulled them out of the cup and took some scrap paper that I had cut to fit and modge podged it onto the wood. Next, sand the edges so they are all flush and then coat with modge podge. I let this coat dry really well and then applied another coat on the outside and a coat on the inside. You just have to let it dry completely and its done!! I am extra excited about these because I can actually wear them! I am allergic to metal so I don't get to wear much jewelry or I get an ugly rash. Use your imagination and decorate them anyway you would like! I hope you enjoy! I also wanted to let you all know that I am fiddling around with the idea of opening an Etsy Shop and selling a few of my favorite creations. What do you all think? Should I do it? I may also redesign my blog soon as well, so if you come by and it looks a little funky wait a few days and come back. Hopefully then it will be done! XOXO
Linking to:
Skip To My Lou
The Girl Creative
Keeping It Simple
Tatertots And Jello
Today's Creative Blog
Gluesticks
Someday Crafts