Window Blind Bracelet
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I just finished a job repairing window blinds. I work by myself and forgot my radio one day. Needless to say, this let my mind go in a lot of
directions. So on my lunch break, I started playing around with the broken
window blind slats. I was amazed at how well they would twist and coil. I put
one around my wrist and that is when I came up with the idea of making a
bracelet.
At the time, I was working with aluminum blinds but, I remember that I also had some plastic slats.
At the time, I was working with aluminum blinds but, I remember that I also had some plastic slats.
Items Used
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1 inch Mini window blinds – White aluminum and plastic – I used 52 inch wide, but any length
could be used.
Plastic blinds are very inexpensive
compared to the aluminum. I actually purchased a complete brand new plastic blind
set from the hardware store; just for the contents. It has screws, plastic rod,
plastic slats, U-channel etc… lots of stuff for projects.
String – I used the extra string right from the window blinds
Clasp – I used the pull cord knobs from the window blinds
Hole punches – paper and heavy duty
Household scissors
Permanent markers – various colors
Pencil and paper – I used grid paper Ruler
Sandpaper or file
String – I used the extra string right from the window blinds
Clasp – I used the pull cord knobs from the window blinds
Hole punches – paper and heavy duty
Household scissors
Permanent markers – various colors
Pencil and paper – I used grid paper Ruler
Sandpaper or file
Cutting to Length
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I measured around my wrist for length. I needed 9 inch pieces, so I cut the blinds with household
scissors to length. I trimed the ends to remove
the sharpe corners (I removed the 90 degree corners). Remember to include in your calculations for
your clasp length. Subtract this before cutting.
Safety: File or sand all sharp edges or holes to prevent injury.
Safety: File or sand all sharp edges or holes to prevent injury.
Layout
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I first tried some different markers on the back to see what I could use that would
easily come off.
Please note: I could not find anything that came easily off the blind slats.. I tried a grease pencil, wax pencil, color pencil, hard lead pencil. So parents keep your children away from the blinds.
Onward; I had some graph paper to make some patterns and find the centers. I placed the cut section of blind on top of the graph paper. I then found both the horizontal and vertical centers. I put two marks on the ends for holes for the clasp. I put tick marks (very small marks) for decorating.
Please note: I could not find anything that came easily off the blind slats.. I tried a grease pencil, wax pencil, color pencil, hard lead pencil. So parents keep your children away from the blinds.
Onward; I had some graph paper to make some patterns and find the centers. I placed the cut section of blind on top of the graph paper. I then found both the horizontal and vertical centers. I put two marks on the ends for holes for the clasp. I put tick marks (very small marks) for decorating.
Punch Some Holes
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Using my paper punches - I put a 5/32 inch hole at both ends of the plastic slat and ¼ inch
holes in the metal slat. No rhyme or reason on the size, just wanted some holes to use for
the string.
Note: I feel my paper punches are tools, this process may dull them faster than using them on paper, but I used them anyway. I used my heavy duty punches only because of the many sizes available.
Side note: In the aluminum slat, I punch different size decorative holes down the center line.
Safety: File or sand all sharp edges or holes to prevent injury.
Note: I feel my paper punches are tools, this process may dull them faster than using them on paper, but I used them anyway. I used my heavy duty punches only because of the many sizes available.
Side note: In the aluminum slat, I punch different size decorative holes down the center line.
Safety: File or sand all sharp edges or holes to prevent injury.
Decorate
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Using some different permanent color markers, I made some geometrical patterns.
Tie on the Clasp
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I used the mini blind pull cord knobs - for a loop and knob clasp set up.
I tied a knot into an open loop to one end of the slat.
On the other end of the slat, I knotted a knob to it.
The knob fits through the loop to form the clasp.
Other things can be used for the clasp: there is a really cool adjustment buttons that are included in the mini blinds, which also would work.
I tied a knot into an open loop to one end of the slat.
On the other end of the slat, I knotted a knob to it.
The knob fits through the loop to form the clasp.
Other things can be used for the clasp: there is a really cool adjustment buttons that are included in the mini blinds, which also would work.
Completed
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Not that bad for using window blind slats and parts.
These are my demos; I have already received a request with specific art requirements.
I hope to introduce this idea to the 4-H kids this winter.
These are my demos; I have already received a request with specific art requirements.
I hope to introduce this idea to the 4-H kids this winter.