Aluminum Can Granny Square Tote Bag

Step 6 Final Step: Make Handles

Material/Tools For Handles:

Bamboo -- approx. 12 inches
Hack saw or small saw
Dremel or drill with small bit
Sandpaper
Shellac or polyurethane (spray)
12 aluminum can pull tabs
Wooden beads (4)
Fingernail polish
18 gauge wire, approximately 12-18 inches (make into jump rings, put atleast two in each hole of chain)

To Make Handles:

1. Cut bamboo into (2) 6 inch pieces. (You can buy bamboo cheaply at garden centers, if you do not have access to some home grown). Clean out any gunk inside of bamboo with a knife or any pointy tool.

2. Measure/mark for drill holes --1 inch from the end of each piece, mark a dot with marker or pen.

3. Drill through each end of handle(s) (4 holes total).

4. Sand bamboo with sandpaper until smooth. Pay special attention to ends, get them smooth!

5. Coat with 2-3 coats of polyurethane or shellac. Let dry.

6. Paint wooden beads (or use whatever kinds of beads you have on hand).
--*I used blue nail polish to paint my thrift store wooden beads. Old nail polish is great for crafting. It is enamel, comes in all colors, lasts a long time and has a nice little built in brush. You can't beat that!

7. Use pull tabs and wire to form 4 chains (3 tabs per chain) and also to attach beads. (Use hole punch or awl to punch extra hole in pull tab if necessary.)

8. To attach to handle, put the wire through a bead, bend ends together and twist. Push through drilled hole in bamboo and attach to pull tab chain. Do this 3 more times.

9. Attach handles to bag by whip stitching with strong thread. Go through last link of chain (pull tab). Use heavy duty thread such as yarn thread or embroidery thread.

Your tote bag is now complete.