Introduction: Pop Tab Bracelets
Start raiding those recycling bins!
Turn aluminum can tabs into cool jewelry!
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
For starters, you need a pile of pop tabs. Somewhere between 20-26, depending on wrist size.
You also need elastic cord and scissors. That's it! No other supplies necessary.
Step 2: Start Assembling
Cut cord to approximately 2-1/2 feet.
Loop through the first tab, situating the tab at center of cord.
Step 3: Another Tab
Hold another tab below your first tab, (make sure your rough edges are always facing each other, smooth side to the outside) overlapping so you can see through openings of both tabs.
Thread the cord up from the bottom through both tabs, bringing top cord through top hole and bottom cord through bottom hole.
Step 4: And Another Tab
OK, now get another tab and hold it on top, overlapping as before,
and this time, thread the cords through the opposite holes forming an X on top.
Step 5: Keep Going
Another tab, held at the back and thread those cords through,
top cord-top hole, bottom cord-bottom hole.
Step 6: Don't Give Up
Another tab, held on top, thread cords through forming that X. Top cord-bottom hole, bottom cord-top hole.
Step 7: Almost Done
Keep going, repeating step five and step six, alternately,
until bracelet can be wrapped around your wrist and ends meet comfortably.
You need the last tab to be one placed at the back side.
Then, bring ends together and form final X.
Step 8: It's Finally Done!
Tie the cords in a knot and trim the ends.
Step 9: Masterpiece!
Turn bracelet back over and slide it on your wrist.
There should be just enough stretch to easily go
over your hand and then be lightly snug on your wrist.
Step 10: Add Personality.
There's plenty of ways to embellish these bracelets, too.
You can paint the tabs, use colored elastic, add beads,
anything you can think of.
Well, I hope my tutorial is clear
and you enjoy making your own pop tab bracelet.
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112 Comments
13 years ago on Introduction
I was lucky enough to already have too many pop tabs lying around on a necklace I was using to hold my USB stick. So thanks to your guide I have a usb bracelet instead <3
I didn't have any elastic cord lying around but I did have four sets of broken earphones, I used one side of a split earphone cord and had plenty left over. It's a bit of a squeeze without it being elastic but I've left just enough space for it to not be uncomfortable and not too much for it to slip off.
It still needs some painting which I probably should have done before I made it but oh well!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
i didn't have any elastic cord either but you inspired me to use my broken headphones, i didn't use this design though i used this one: https://www.instructables.com/id/Pop-top-braclet/
6 weeks ago on Introduction
I am a hoarder and have collected soda tabs 4 a while now am and happy to finally have something to do with them
3 years ago
These are super cute! Awesome!
4 years ago
this was sort of helpful the pics were a little blurry for me to see. it was the computer not my eye sight
9 years ago on Introduction
couldnt find any soda can so i went through my parents garbage can and got enough tabs for like twenty of these things! http://jambhu.blogspot.com/
9 years ago on Step 3
Fabulous :)
9 years ago on Introduction
I loved this idea, but it was too confusing. When I almost finished, the X's made the whole thing unravel into a big tangle. I had to cut the string to get the tabs free. Luckily I found another tutorial on how to do it without the X's. I don't know if anyone else had this problem, or if I just didn't understand the instructions... Well, thanks anyway.
10 years ago on Introduction
make 1 all different colors plzzz
11 years ago on Introduction
i painted mine whith nail polish to make it extream colered
11 years ago on Step 8
It took me 2 hours to make it but it was worth the time! I did it and it looks great! But the bad thing is I didn't color it before! Try it with Monster Energy or Red Bull
tops! It looks cooler and it has color!
11 years ago on Introduction
instead of cord you can use shoelaces or ribbon. i make these for my friends. it saves money and helps pass time
12 years ago on Introduction
i have seen MANY people try and make directions on the pop tab brcelets but you explained it the BEST 2day alone i have made 4 of them 1 for my mom (she made me) 1 for coutney 1 for lora (my bffs) and lastly one 4 me thanks soo much and i think i am going to make matching earings (teehee) oh thanks again
Grr...Fear Me (thats my phone singature to)
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
What?
I can't understand you. Are you sure you can't move your fingers just a _little_ bit more, so that you actually type words instead of numbers? Or do you need typing lessons? I'm sure you can find typing games...
12 years ago on Step 8
sorry they are not the best pic but i made mine reversable
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Do you have instruction for the reversable? That is a real cool idea.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Seriously?...
It's called a "reversible". You just invert the original bracelet. It won't have the X's from the elastic.
Good job!
12 years ago on Introduction
This was one of the first projects I did on this site. My friends loved them. Is there a way to cut down on the sharpness of the tabs? The strings got cut.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Sandpaper.
Since you probably don't have that, just use a strong emery board.
If you don't know what that is... It's a nail file.
If you do have sandpaper, cut a little piece, attach it to a craft stick using glue and file down the sharp edges. Good job.
12 years ago on Introduction
Can I use yarn instead of elastic cord and will work just as well?