I must confess, I love jcrew so much. I even love the bags! (Hate to throw them away.) Then it hit me: why not make a rope bracelet from the handles?
Here’s how I did it in just a few steps. (It took longer to write this up than it did to actually make it!)
First, remove the handles from the bag. Fold one of the handles in half and place it on your work surface, then place the second handle next to it so that the ends are lined up. Place a clothespin near the top. You’re going to use the clothespin to hold the handles together so that you can braid them, and the folded handle will make a loop so for your bracelet so you can hook it together. (My loop is about an inch long.)
Braid your bracelet, then use another clothespin to hold it in place.
Now for the only tricky bit. Remove the top clothespin near the loop, then wrap the piece that is hanging off to the side around it once loosely. Wrap around again, and this time tuck the extra piece under the first wrap. Add a dab of glue where it meets the bracelet and trim closely after the glue has dried. (I used fabri-tac — it holds really well and dries fast for the impatient like me.)
Here are some closeups of the knots so that you can see them better.
Now to finish it up, take the piece of the handle that you trimmed and knot it around the other end, then remove the clothespin. You can add a drop of glue under this knot before you tie it completely. (But I forgot and it seems to be holding up okay.)
Then you can tidy up and trim off to even things up.
To wear, just slip the big knot into the back. (You can loop the handle over it twice if you have room, it was a little big on me.)
That’s it! (The only problem? Now I want to make more for friends! Looks like I’ll have to do some more shopping at jcrew, oh darn.)
I think it’ll go great with all my striped shirts this summer — I have a major stripe obsession going on right now! Do you have one too? Join Holly over at decor8 for Stripe Mania Party! It’s all about bloggers wearing stripes, can’t wait to see who joins in the fun!
xo,
Lisa!!!! You are a genius!! Love the bracelet! Might have to do a little shopping at JCrew soon! ;)
Lisa, you are so clever! Love this fun idea and love seeing your picture with the bracelet on. . .so cute!
Wow! That is so clever! Thanks for sharing such great instructions!
this is so cool and super fun, Lisa! you always come up with the most unexpected projects! love it! thanks for sharing! =)
Oh my! I love it! [Remind me to show you the scrapbook albums I’ve made from fashion store bags sometime!]
And thanks for the heads up on Stripe Mania! I have a serious fondness for all things striped.
Julie :-)
You continue to AMAZE, Lisa – and how very “green” you are! This reminds me of all the macrame jewelry I made in the 1960’s. What a great time. Thanks for keeping us so inspired.
Super fun! You are so cool!
You’re so creative in every way! Love this! Looks hard..hehe….
But, girl, what did you get at JCrew????!!!! :p The bracelet is super cute!
Julie my friend! I got a pair of capris, a t-shirt, a belt with chevrons on it! (!!), and a madras button down shirt (at long last!!) Love them all!!! :)
Now I must go back for all the lovies that I left behind :)
Lisa, you truly are crafty! I love the bracelet and the way you are able to re-use something
from the bag!!
[…] start calling me The Bag Lady after this, but I just can’t help upcycle bags. Check out this bracelet that I made from J.Crew bag handles, and this card from a Paper Source bag. Ha […]
Lisa, I always love visiting your blog, you are so creative! Love what you did here! The bracelet is fab and what a great excuse to go shopping!
[…] you’d buy at a store. Kinda similar but even cooler because it’s uber eco-friendly: DIY rope bracelet from a J.Crew shopping bag. Another cool DIY of the home decorating variety: DIY Vinyl Wall Art. Could be great for a dorm […]
This is so cool! It also works with bags from Victoria’s Secret and Sephora. Love the look!
DIY rope bracelet from a shopping bag.
I love it such an easy cute idea :)
[…] Found right here. […]
Just found this and it’s awesome! Posted a link from my blog yesterday:) Thanks!
OMG! This is fantastic! J.Crew is my favorite store and I have tons of their bags! Now I can make all my friends bracelets for Christmas :) Thank you for such a good idea!
xoxo
Janee
Hi Lisa! I love your tutorial! We don’t have JCrew in my neck of the woods, but I’m sure i could find some pretty rope to substitute. I was wondering what length I should cut them though? Thanks!