quick braided fabric bracelet with snaps

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The original Bobaloo and I were making bracelets for Craft Hope last week and we came up with these little cuties to use up some of my fabric scraps.  Using snaps makes this project silly quick – it took me longer to type this up than to make the bracelet – but if you don’t have snaps, Velcro would work too.

 

 

supplies:

• three different fabric scraps, at least 16” long and 1 1/2” wide
• pinking shears or regular fabric scissors
• One set of snaps (I use KAM snaps and love them)
• snap pliers or press, or whatever you use to attach snaps 
• awl

 

1.  Cut one strip from each of three fabrics, 1 1/2” wide by 16” long, using pinking shears or regular scissors.

 

 

2. Stack the strips on top of each other, right sides all up, at one short end.  They don’t have to match perfectly – we’ll trim them up at the end.  Using your awl, poke a hole about 1/2” from the end of the strips. 

 

 

3. Attach one snap with the cap side up.

 

 

4. Braid the pieces of fabric (I had my cute little helper holding the snap end for me).  Try to keep the right sides of the fabric up – you may need to twist the strips a little to keep them facing the right direction.  Braid loosely for a wider bracelet, tightly for a narrower bracelet.

 

 

5. Once the bracelet is near the length you’d like it, stack the strips on top of each other just like you did at the beginning. 

 

 

6. Install the other snap with the cap on the wrong side of the bracelet. 

 

 

7. Using your pinking shears or scissors, trim the ends of the bracelet in a nice rounded shape.

 

 

8. Put that bracelet on the nearest kiddo or pack it up and send it off to Craft Hope!

 

If you make one, be sure to add it to the bobaloo! flickr pool – it’s about time we started using it, right?

Craft Hope: Crafting for Good

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Recently I came across a post about Craft Hope, an organization that encourages people to send handmade items to others in need.  They post a project every few months and give the details on what to make and where to send your finished products.  As I have craft supplies coming out of my ears, this totally caught my eye – what better way to use up all this extra stuff than to spread a little goodwill?

 

 

Craft Hope just recently released their 12th project – handmade bracelets for the orphans of Russia.  I had no idea how bad the conditions are for these kids – 60% of female orphans in Russia become prostitutes.  It’s terribly sad to think of all the love and affection these kids are missing out on.  You can read all about the situation on Craft Hope’s site here, but here’s a little excerpt:

 

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, it’s shaky orphan-care system also fell. Alcohol consumption increased 10 times the U.S. level. The instances of divorce also climbed, along with the HIV-infection rate, which is now one of the highest in the world. And, according to a 2007 UNICEF report, the annual number of children without parental care in Russian ‘has more than doubled over the last 10 years, despite falling birth rates.’ Currently, there are over 750,000 children in the orphanage system and hundreds of thousands more living in the streets.

 

See how just a little bit of handmade love would really be a bright spot for these kids?   

Want to participate, too?  If you need some ideas, here are some great bracelet tutorials that I’ve come across.  Some of these involve fabric because I have fabric scraps taking over my house and I’d love to use a few up.

 

 

Sailor’s Knot Bracelets from the Etsy Blog

Popsicle Stick Bracelets from Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom

Survival Bracelets from Instructables (this one’s great for boys!)

Jersey Knit Bracelets from V and Co. 

Reversible Fabric Cuff Bracelet from the Creative Maven

Braided Fabric Bracelet from Everything Etsy

I’m excited about this one because I can easily make most of these while relaxing on the couch at night, and even Bridget (who is almost 4) can make a few simple beaded bracelets.  We’ve been trying to teach her about giving to others who are less fortunate and this will be a great lesson.

Go on over and like Craft Hope on Facebook so you can get the details, or visit their website and take a look around.  This project ends June 15th, so you have plenty of time to kick it middle-school style and make some friendship bracelets for some kiddos who’d love to have them!

 

PS: I ordered the Craft Hope book last month and it is full of simple, adorable projects along with information on where to send donations.  Most of the projects would be an awesome activity for a church group, MOPS group, or even a group of kiddos.

PPS: That link to the book is an affiliate link, so if you buy it I get a teeny tiny percentage.  Just thought I’d let you know.

Works in Progress

Tweet I've got a slew of random, half-done projects piled up on my pool sewing table this week.  The past week or so I haven't done anything start to finish, just bits and pieces here and there.

I did finish a dozen crayon aprons two nights ago during a Glee-a-thon.  Those threads take a long minute to trim so Brittany and crew helped me power through. I’m hoping to get the new designs photographed and in the shop this weekend.
 

 
Heather asked for some girly bibs to restock the Little Green Bean Boutique.  I also really need some fresh bib designs for my Etsy shop, so there are various bib parts all over the place.
 

 
I'm making an adorable blanket and baby shoes set like this one for a silent auction to benefit Building Tomorrow, a local organization that builds schools in Africa.  I still need something cozy to back that sweet Nest corduroy with for the blanket.
 

 
Last but most urgent is a surprise for someone.  I'll tell you more about this one soon, but the important part is that it needs to go in the mail by Monday.  Doesn't that Nicey Jane look great with that Midwest Modern?  I love finding new fabric combos!

Do you guys have a bunch of loose ends or am I the only one with this problem?  Share your unfinished projects with me so I don't feel so bad!

Craft Show Recap: Hand Made Market at Little Green Bean Boutique

Tweet Last month, Heather from the Little Green Bean Boutique contacted about participating in a craft show to benefit the Warm Heart Warm Home Foundation at her shop and I signed right up.  This frigid weather has made me very thankful for our nice warm house so it’s great to be able to help those that are not so fortunate.



The show was last Friday and Saturday during the lunchtime hours.  Like most of you, Indianapolis got hit with a whopper of a storm last week.  Indianapolis Public Schools were closed for four days (and they NEVER close).  Then, on Saturday, we got an out-of-the-blue downfall of snow in the morning!  Despite the crummy weather, a good number of hardy souls came out to shop.

The Little Green Bean Boutique is right next to a nice open area that serves as a community space, so most of us set up shop in there.  I brought my cool clothesline display from a few months back but I forgot the clamps to hook it to the table (not enough coffee).  Luckily my inventory is not back up to pre-Christmas levels so I had less than normal to display.



I was next to some buddies (like Martha from Sunday Afternoon Housewife and Shan and Jarod from Green Illuminations) and met some new people too.  You should definitely go check out Sweet Revenge Lingerie – I WANT those striped jammies!

Truthfully, the best part about the show was getting out of the house after being iced in for a week.  My husband referred to it as a grown-up playdate, which is pretty accurate.  Plus, we got to raise money for a good cause – all of the vendors donated 10% to the Foundation and Citizen’s Gas matched that total.

What did you guys do in last week’s winter weather?  Did you indulge in some retail therapy?