Transform recycled guitar strings into rock-style bracelets.
Creating a custom bracelet from discarded guitar strings is a frugal way to help the environment while looking stylish. Use your old guitar strings or ask your local music shop to save the old strings that they plan to replace. Handcrafted guitar bracelets can be embellished with guitar picks or music charms. Opt for bass guitar strings in bronze, silver or copper to achieve a textured, coil-like bracelet.
Instructions
1. Measure and cut five guitar strings to fit around the wrist. Add 2 extra inches of guitar string to the measurement to allow the bracelet to easily slide on and off the wrist.
2. Clean each guitar string to remove oils and dirt. Use a scouring powder or a brass or copper cleaner to clean the guitar strings. Dry the strings thoroughly to prevent them from rusting.
3. Line the strings up on a flat surface so that the ends are even. Hold the strings together between your thumb and forefinger and insert all five ends halfway into the crimping tube. Pinch the tube into a "U" with crimping pliers to hold the guitar strings in place.
4. Punch a hole in the top center of a guitar pick with a 1/8-inch hole punch. Cut a 1-inch piece of copper wire with wire cutters. Thread the copper wire through the hole in the guitar pick. Wrap the wire around the center of the bracelet and form a loop by twisting the two ends of the copper wire together.
5. Hold the noncrimped ends of the bracelet between your thumb and forefinger. Insert all five ends halfway into the crimp tube to meet the other guitar string ends. Use the crimping pliers to pinch the tube into a "U" and to complete the bracelet.
