Grocery Bag Jewelry

Thrift?  Frugality?  Eco-accessories?  Something you can do while being lazy on the couch?  You got it!

This Instructable shows how to make a macrame bracelet entirely out of grocery bags (and a few beads if you prefer).  This same technique can also be applied to making a ring.

You will need:

• Scissors
• Plastic Grocery Bags
• Lighter
• Bottle
• Beads (optional)

Cut off the bottom of the bag.

Using your index finger as measurement, start cutting a long, spiraled band from the bag.  It won't really curl, but think of it like peeling an apple in one solid strip.

Wrap the grocery bag ribbon several times around a bottle.  Double check that the resulting circle will fit over your hand.

Leave a "tail" of one end of the wrap exposed, and with the other end, start tying a series of half hitches.

Knot the "tail" and the end you've been working with.

Snip the excess.

You can stop here if you like!  Or continue on...

This Instructable does an excellent job of explaining how to make rope/twine out of fibers.  The same principle applies here.

Cut a grocery bag into thin strips.

In groups of 4, start twisting it into twine.

Once you have enough (~12"/30cm), you can snip the beginning end and melt it a bit with a lighter.  This will make beading easier.

If you need extra length:

• Bundle 4 more strips and overlap with a bit of excess where you've already twisted.
• Twist the new bundle a few times before adding another bundle to the other half in the same way.  This will keep things orderly with minimal confusion and enough fingers to keep going.
• Once you've worked through a few twists, you can snip away the excess and continue twisting.

The twine is actually quite attractive!

Thread the twine through the half hitch loops and add a bead between the weaving.

Knot the ends and snip excess.

Done!