Pencils are a staple back-to-school supply – but they are also equally fabulous as a craft supply!  At Curly Made, Daniela used some pencils to make an assortment of coordinating jewelry, and we think they’re absolutely adorable!  There are lots of options for customizing this project, since pencils come in so many varieties.  (And this is a great excuse to buy some with pretty or funky patterns!)  [how to make pencil jewelry]

Project estimate:

• Pencils, on hand or $1
• Glue, on hand
• Jewelry findings, on hand or $1 and up
• Clear nail polish, on hand or $1

Total: Free and up!

The post Make Pencil Jewelry appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Can’t find bangle bracelets that properly fit your wrist?  Make your own!  Mark Montano has a clever method that lets you customize your bracelet size so it’ll be just right.  Then give it a punch of color with scraps of bright fabric and some contrasting embroidery floss!  With or without the tassels, these bracelets are a great way for anyone to make a statement. [how to make colorful tassel bangles]

Project estimate:

• Poly rope, $1 and up
• Fabric, on hand or $1 and up
• Embroidery floss, on hand or $1
• Hot glue, on hand

Total:  $1 and up!

The post Make Colorful Tassel Bangles appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Whether it’s a favorite quote, a few lines of poetry, or a love letter, these fabric-wrapped bracelets are a fun, easy way to make meaningful accessories.  Heather made these over at iLoveToCreate using fabric scraps and dollar store plastic bracelets.  They would make a wonderful group activity or gift.  You could even make a Mother’s Day version as an inexpensive classroom activity!  [how to make fabric-wrapped poetry bracelets]

Project estimate:

• Plastic bracelets, $1
• Fabric scraps, on hand
• Markers, on hand or $1 and up
• Glue, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Fabric-Wrapped Poetry Bracelets appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Heather recently ordered a mega awesome mystery box full of all kinds of fun jewelry making stuff.  And ever since, she’s been on on a roll with DIY accessories!  For this project, she created a recycled cuff bracelet out of a recycled cardboard tube and some washi tape.  It would be a great craft to do with kids!  Watch the video below to see how to make your own, or keep scrolling for written directions.

Project estimate:

• Cardboard tube, on hand
• Washi tape, on hand or $1 and up
• String, on hand or $1
• Elastic hair bands, on hand or $1
• Tacky glue, on hand
• Embellishments, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up!

Cut a slit down the side of the cardboard tube.

Cut off a section of the tube in the size you want your bracelet to be.

Cover the section of tube with strips of washi tape.

Poke holes at the ends of the bracelet and use string to tie on elastic hair bands.

Glue on embellishments as desired.

The post Tutorial: Paper Towel Roll Cuff Bracelet appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Buttons, buttons, buttons.  Every crafter has them laying around somewhere, right?  Over the years I have inherited several jars worth of them – more than I will ever conceivably need for garment making or repair purposes.  So, what can you do with all of those extras?  Johanna Rundel turned some brightly colored buttons into this cute, stretchy bracelet!  The instructions are in German, but the photos are easy to follow, and you can always run the page through Google Translate if you feel like you’re missing something!  [how to make a button bracelet]

Project estimate:

• Buttons, on hand or $1 and up
• Elastic, on hand or $1

Total:  Free and up!

The post Make a Button Bracelet appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Weaving is hot, hot, hot right now.  We’re not really ones to jump on every passing bandwagon, but if this is what the technique’s latest incarnation looks like, count us in!  Cintia at My Poppet wove simple patterns into these yarn-wrapped bangles, giving them a cozy character that will be great for fall!  This is a fabulous way to use up odds and ends of scrap yarn you may have laying around.  Try weaving different patterns and using different combinations of colors – you could make a bunch and stack your arm in sweater-like fashion!  [how to make woven yarn bangles]

Project estimate:

• Yarn, on hand
• Bangle bracelets, $1 and up
• Double sided tape, on hand or $1
• Tapestry needle, on hand

Total:  $1 and up

The post Make Woven Yarn Bangles appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Last week I showed you how to make a faux rusty bracelet using hardware.  I’m using pieces from this kit I found in the toy section at Dollar Tree, and teaching you how you can make FOUR different pieces of jewelry by using this single $1 box.  Last week’s piece was a bit grungy, this week I’m going with a more sleek look.

The post Make Jewelry from Hardware: Part 2 appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

I’ve noticed a lot of great looking jewelry being made with hardware.  I like the rugged, steampunk look of this unconventional jewelry, and wanted to give it a try.  I found several interesting building kits in the toy section at Dollar Tree, and they were full of interesting hardware.  I bought one of the kits (to build a dog?) and started playing with the pieces.

So far I have come up with four designs using materials from this single $1 box of hardware!  I’ll be sharing each project with you, so check back each week to learn how to make more jewelry from hardware.  Let’s get started with our first project:  a “rusty” metal bracelet.

Project estimate:

The post Make Jewelry from Hardware: Part 1 appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

My fellow craft designer/blogger friends have been busy this week, and I have seven great DIY projects for your crafting pleasure. This week, we are hitting the accessories and home decor projects hard!

1. Debi’s Design Diary created a gorgeous faux weathered paint finish (drooling!) for her Chair makeover with weathered Boat paint finish.
2. Trinkets In Bloom shows us how to give a plain belt a paracord-inspired embellishment.
3. Margot Potter (of DIY Doyenne) created a very cool set of Stamped Metal Charm Bangle Bracelets.
4. Create faux jewels with Mod Melts, courtesy of Cathie & Steve in their Faux Jewel Statement Necklace.
5. Love this Loteria Pillow, designed by Crafty Chica.
6. Mark Montano went glamazon with his Boho Lampshades.
7. And don’t miss Morena’s very clever dollar store craft this week: a lamp made out of foam core board!

The post 7 Swell DIYs to Try: Accessories & Home Decor Edition appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

Happy Earth Day!  While today is a day to focus on our environment and how we can improve it,  I think a lot of us budget crafters are environmentally conscious everyday.  Dollar Store Crafts regularly features ideas for ways to turn unwanted items into something functional, and this project is no exception!

To make these knotted bracelets, I used my children’s old clothing.  I always donate my kid’s clothes to charity, but some items, like these leggings and jeans, were so ripped and worn that there was no way to salvage them.  Rather than tossing them, I cut them up to make some pretty accessories for spring and summer!

Project estimate:

• Worn clothes, on hand
• Needle and thread, on hand
• (Optional) Kumihimo findings, $2

Total:  Free to $2

Step one:  Cut the fabric into 1/2 inch strips.  You will need 4 strips per bracelet.  The length will vary based on how large or small you want your bracelet to be.  Pull the strips so that they begin to curl or fray as desired.

Step two:  Put two strips together and make a loop as pictured in box 1 of the photo instructions.  Continue as shown in the image.

Step three:  Pull the ends gently to make the “knot”.

Step six:  Join the ends in your hand.  Cut a piece of fabric and wrap it around the ends.  Sew it in place to hold the bracelet.

The cotton fabric bracelet is very stretchy, so I can easily pull it on and off.  The denim fabric does not have as much “give”, so I had to use clasps.

I crimped the findings on the ends of the denim, and added the clasps with jump rings.

Aren’t they pretty?  Think of all the fun color and pattern combinations you could make!  This would be a fun way to keep a favorite shirt or blanket close, or even a great way to remember someone who is no longer with you by using their clothing.  Even if the material doesn’t have special meaning, it’s still a great way to recycle and get your craft on!

The post Tutorial: Knotted Bracelet Made from Recycled Fabric appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.