by Shannon Walbran wrote these DIY Kids columns but now works full time as a Spirit Guide interpreter, on the radio and TV, bringing people angelic messages.

Today’s project will help you upcycle any old t-shirts into jewelry for your kids, yourself, or to give as gifts.

What You’ll Need:

•  T-shirts, mostly just the sleeves – you can save the bodies for another project
• sharp scissors
• beads

Time: Very quick – ten minutes for the easiest steps, but you can spend an hour making more versions…

Instructions:

Step 1:

Cut a t-shirt sleeve off a shirt. Cut the sleeve into strips or loops about two fingers wide. Make a pile of these loops.

Step 2:

Take one loop and stretch it.

Step 3:

Simplest bracelet:  Wrap this stretched loop around your wrist two or three times.  Stack several colors, like bangles.

Step 4:

Beaded bracelet or necklace:  cut open a loop, making sure to cut out one of the sleeve seams.  Thread contrasting beads onto the fabric.

You can either stretch the fabric to make a long, skinny necklace, or you can leave it un-stretched for a thicker bracelet.

Variations:

• Tie different-colored loops together to make a longer necklace
• Stack necklaces of different colors but the same beads.
• Use loops as hair scrunchies to cover ponytails
• Make a very thin loop and wear it as a ring.

What other ideas can you try?  Leave us a note in the comments below.

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