Here is how to make DIY Gift card bracelets! It’s a smart and artful way to use up old gift cards. Here is the tutorial!
Every year around this time, we end up with a stack of used gift cards. Being the crafty chica that I am, I like to find creative ways to use them, such as making recycled gift card jewelry! The cards come in bright assorted colors, and if not, you can always embellish with paints, markers or rubber stamped designs. They are fun to make and trade with friends, or even to give as gifts.
What you’ll need
- Assorted used gift cards
- Scissors
- Permanent marker
- Jump rings
- Needle nose pliers
- Chain for necklace or bracelet
- Gold paint pen
- Small hole puncher
Helpful Tip: Kids can have fun cutting out all kinds of shapes (using kid scissors), and mom or dad can punch the holes. Instead of chain, you can use yarn or cording.
How to make it
- Collect your cards and add color to the back sides of them. You can do this with spray paint, enamel paint or rubber stamping with permanent ink.
- Use a permanent marker to add doodled designs on the cards.
- Draw shapes on the cards and use sharp scissors to cut them out. I used stars, hearts, circles, squares and flowers.
- Trim each piece in the gold paint pen. This will tie them all together and make them look polished!
- Set out all the pieces and determine where you want to punch the hole on each one.
- Punch a hole in each piece using a small rotary tool or a hole punch. Insert a jump ring inside each hole.
- Now is the fun part! Use the needle nose pliers to combine the pieces to make a necklace, earring set or charm bracelet.
- To make the bracelet, add a charm to each link for a full bracelet, or less for the lighter look.
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Five other ways to make gift card jewelry
Turning gift cards into jewelry is a fun and creative way to upcycle them into wearable art! Here are five clever and artistic ideas.
Tips for all of these: Add designs and outline with paint pens, incorporate pompoms, flat back crystals, etc.
Statement Earrings: Cut gift cards into geometric, floral, or abstract shapes using heavy-duty scissors or a craft knife. Punch a small hole at the top and attach earring hooks with jump rings.
Cuff Bracelets: Heat a cut gift card in hot water or use a heat gun until it’s flexible. Wrap it around a cylindrical object (like a jar) to shape it into a cuff. Let it cool and harden.
Charm Pendants: Cut small shapes (hearts, stars, initials, etc.) from gift cards, drill a hole at the top, and attach a jump ring to string onto a necklace.
Beaded Necklace or Bracelet Links: Cut gift cards into small rectangular or oval links, punch holes on each end, and connect them with jump rings to create a chain-like effect.
Brooch or Pin: Cut a bold shape (like a flower, lightning bolt, or abstract form), sand the edges, and attach a pin back with strong adhesive.
