DIY: Recycled Soda Pop Pull Tab Bracelet

Recycling comes in many forms; from trash bin artistry to scrap metal sculptures. Recycled soda pop pull tab bracelets are another great way to keep aluminum from ending up in our landfills. Here's a quick tutorial for making your own soda pop pull tab bracelet.

Materials Needed
20 or more washed soda pop pull tabs
Elastic cording, hemp string, crafting nylon cord or memory wire
Small binder clips or clamps
Optional beads or charms
Metal file
Scissors, needle nose pliers or wire cutters

Instructions
Before you begin assembling your soda pop pull tab bracelet, use a metal file and smooth any rough edges.

If you want your soda pop pull tab bracelet to have some color you can paint the tabs using a metal paint, metal markers or just plain sharpie markers. If you go the paint method be sure to rough up the surface of your pull tabs with a heavy duty sandpaper or your nail file first. Allow painted tabs to dry before assembling bracelet.

How to string the pull tabs together.
1. Take two lengths of elastic cord (or whatever type of string you are using) and tie a knot in the ends. Seal the knot with Gorilla Glue or other sturdy adhesive.

2. Holding your elastic cord in a "V" shape so that both strands are separated, take your first pull tab and thread one strand through the top hole of the pull tab and the other strand through the bottom hole of the pull tab. You should now have an "X" over your pull tab. See illustration #1.

3. Add pull tab number 2 by holding it halfway under the first pull tab so that they are overlapping each other. Use the top strand of your elastic cord and pull it through the overlapped holes on top. Pull the bottom strand of cord through the overlapped holes on the bottom and you should now have 2 connected pull tabs.
The two pull tabs you have woven together should have one on top and one halfway tucked under the bottom. See illustration #2.

4. Take another pull tab and place it on top of the bottom tab so that your top two tabs are side by side, supported by the tab underneath. Pull your top strand of cord through the top holes of the pull tabs. Do the same for the bottom holes. See illustration #3.

5. Continue to add pull tabs in the same manner. Wrap the length of your pull tab strand around your wrist at intervals to determine whether or not you will need to add more than 20 pull tabs.

6. When your bracelet is the desired length connect the ends by pulling the cord through the top and bottom holes of the pull tabs and then tie the ends of the cord together on the inside of the bracelet. Seal the knots with Gorilla Glue.

7. Attach beads or charms where desired and viola you have a brand new recycled soda pop pull tab bracelet.

Note* Plastic zip ties can be used in place of elastic cording and actually add a nice textured element to the bracelet. You can also add another row of pull tabs for a wider bracelet. Some manufacturers make their pull tabs in different colors which also make a neat addition to this bracelet.