Show your patriotic pride with a cute duct tape jewelry craft! Our Star-Spangled Necklace incorporates star pendants with straw beads for an eye-catching accessory!
Duct tape (either matching or not, but red, white and blue are best!)
Scissors
Hole punch
Marker
Plastic drinking straws
String, twine, yarn, or very thin ribbon
Start with a square of duct tape fabric. The size is up to you, but here we're working with a piece about 4" x 4". Using your marker, trace a star shape.
Using your scissors, cut out your star along the lines you've drawn. Then use your hole punch to create two symmetrical holes, one in each "arm" of the star, as shown in the picture. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to create several stars if you like!
Once you're done making stars, it's time to move on to your beads! These beads use the same techniques as our Straw Beads. Essentially, you'll need to take your plastic drinking straw, and wrap it in duct tape. More duct tape creates thicker beads, and you can use different tapes to create different patterns and colors!
Once you've taped up your straws, use your scissors to snip the straw into smaller pieces, creating your beads.
Cut 2' - 3' of string, yarn, twine, or thin ribbon for your necklace. (Measure the string around your neck first to determine the length you want.) Tie your string through one of the holes on your star, then continue beading. Alternate between your beads and stars.
Continue beading until you get the look you want. You can also incorporate other pre-made beads (like pony beads) in order to mix things up! When you are done, tie the loose end through the other hole in your first star. Be sure to double knot it securely.
Now you'll have a beautiful and patriotic accessory to wear on the Fourth of July!
You can also make your "necklace" very short and create a bracelet. Also, if you're up for a bigger challenge, you can use the techniques in our "Duct Tape Jewelry" tutorial to create intricate pendants!