Pop-Tab Curtain/ Window Beads

After realizing how much pop my family and I drink a month, I figured I would do something creative with all of the pop tabs that come off of our cans. Here I will show you how to make a door-bead style window curtain.

Please note: I'm still working on this, I need something like 4,000 pop tabs to finish so this will be the thin watered down version of it.

Materials needed:
Pop tabs
A multi-tool or pliers
Patience

Remove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Cut all of your tabs

After you collect all of your materials, take the pliers and cut through the top section of every tab (as seen in the picture)

infinitelyjen says: Oct 6, 2010. 12:44 PM

I was wondering how you strung these and hung them up? I've made about 7 strands, and when I hung them up on a length of yarn, it broke.

The fun part is that right now I'm at boarding school, and they don't allow us to do anything on the walls unless we use painter's tape or 3M hooks, so I can't mount a bar across my window or anything. And there are blinds covering the window right now, no curtains.

reedz (author) in reply to infinitelyjenOct 6, 2010. 5:45 PM

I used para cord that was attached to the preexisting mounts for the venation blinds, so basically just tie a strong cord to whatever is already there. Otherwise I'm not sure of a method you could use that is non destructive to your school's property.

infinitelyjen in reply to infinitelyjenOct 6, 2010. 12:46 PM

I just re-read the full instructions, hehe...so that being said, how did you get the cord to stay up?

jianqiang says: Feb 5, 2009. 2:18 AM

I'm working on a similar project that I already regret starting. I'll post it maybe in two weeks. One strand takes like 3 hours.....And thats at a window length. A improvement on your project would maybe making it door length....hahaha, creators regret...check

orange dilemma says: Nov 27, 2008. 6:58 PM

That is freakin sweet! ;)

reedz (author) in reply to orange dilemmaNov 27, 2008. 7:13 PM

Lol thank you! It is so time consuming though... I think I will finish it by the time I go to college (1 1/2 years from now) so then I could sell it for the scrap value and pay for all my tuition (as long as my theory of all aluminium being made into a giant space station for the new human-unisex-race)

-katrina- says: Oct 13, 2008. 1:07 PM

FYI if you have a Ronald McDonald house nearby, they collect pop tops & then sell them to some company that recycles them {they use the money they get for the Ronald McDonald house--not McDonald's!}. This is not to make you feel bad for using yours, but to tell you that you can go to your Ronald McDonald house & buy the pop tops from them. You might have to pay a couple cents more than the company would--just depends on the person you talk to. You would probably end up paying a couple bucks per pound. Don't quote me on the whole price thing, cause I'm not sure. Even if the project then becomes one where you buy supplies, at least you are donating to charity {don't think you could put it on your taxes though-but who knows}. Hope this helps!

reedz (author) in reply to -katrina-Oct 13, 2008. 4:13 PM

Wow, that is a really good idea. Thank you.

-katrina- in reply to reedzOct 14, 2008. 5:31 AM

You're welcome!

masterochicken says: Jul 5, 2008. 7:04 PM

This is perfect for me since I don't have a door and was thinking of beeds.

reedz (author) in reply to masterochickenJul 5, 2008. 7:23 PM

I would keep a sheet up for a while, these take a lot of time and materials to make. But when it is finished, it will be fantagasmilorious.

Ian01 in reply to reedzAug 10, 2008. 10:23 PM

Astounding will be its fabulosity!

reedz (author) in reply to Ian01Aug 11, 2008. 10:55 AM

Wow...

masterochicken in reply to reedzJul 5, 2008. 7:25 PM

My family can drink two 12 packs a day and we often do. It shouldn't take too long.

reedz (author) in reply to masterochickenJul 5, 2008. 8:30 PM

...Wow... I pray that you don't get kidney stones from it. My dad had one and could not stand the pain... He had his middle finger PULLED off by a machine at work and drove himself to the hospital, they hurt pretty badly.

masterochicken in reply to reedzJul 5, 2008. 10:03 PM

Less endorphins when you have kidney stones. I have 9 brothers and sisters so it's pretty evenly spread.

latobada says: Jul 3, 2008. 10:37 PM

I have been collecting tops for about 3/4 years now, I am nearly at 7,000 -- maybe 1000 are mine, the rest are from friends/parties, or family that decide to drop them off...