Don't Throw Away Your Ribbon Spool
Okay, so if your like me-there is ribbon coming out your ears. For being a crazy crafter, one thing I do not have organized is my ribbons...or my scrap area either-but I like my mess.
BEING CREATIVE IS MESSY, AND I AM VERY CREATIVE
This is another craft project idea for our Girl Scout Troop to do...but I have to be honest-as I was sitting at the computer researching ideas for our troop, my 6 yr. old son starts rummaging through my ribbon box, which is just lying on the floor. He starts to tear and empty ribbon spool and that's where the idea came from. When I saw the little cardboard circle-I thought "that was in there". Duh...I am starting to think, with some imagination almost anything can be up cycled.
So here is where the project begins...I made the bracelet and then the necklace. The outer spool reminded my of a CD but not as sturdy. I looked up and hanging on my wall is about 100 beaded necklaces I had bought for another project. There-go, necklace.
So let's go through the bracelet process...there are many options in securing the bracelet but I used what I had on my desk at that moment..I will explain as I go. Since this was a spur of the moment project, the execution of the bracelet is a pretty rough one.
Here I have my inner spool, my ribbons and 2 sided sticky tabs. Now this craft tape I use for lots of things-so I already had it at reach on my table.
Take off outer spool to reveal the inside circle and cut a slit down the middle. This cardboard is tough-so use a good pair of scissors or exacto knife. If using this as a kids project-let them tear apart the spool and an adult may need to make the cut.
Start to wrap from edge of spool. I used about 1 yd. of ribbon for this bracelet. I added a sticky tab to the inside and outside to secure ribbon. I started at the edge of the spool. Though, to get more coverage you can let ribbon hang at the edge and then fold in. Since I am using sticky tabs, this was not the best option for me to do. Another route would be using a hot glue gun. But I am thinking kid friendly right now.. But there are also glue dots for fabric that would work really well-which I have but like I said before-sticky tabs were already on my desk.
There are three examples here...and there are three different sizes. The ribbon spools are the same sizes 15ft, but depending on the width of the ribbon will determine the size of the inner spool. My 12 year old can wear all three. They will not fall of the wrist. If the bracelet is opened to wide-the top middle of the bracelet will crease. The bracelet will not break or tear but there will be a little give. If this occurs add a bow-
There are so many possibilities for these tiny bracelets. Find the best way to secure your ribbon. I will surely make many more-but for now I think the sticky tabs or glue dots will work for our young Girl Scouts and older ones can use the hot glue gun with supervision...