DIY Network

Collage Bracelet Bring an old bracelet back to life. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-311

Collage this beautiful bangle.

Collage works great for dressing up everything from cigar boxes to end tables – so why not use it to refit a bracelet? Michele Beschen breaks out the paper cutter and gloss medium to show how easy it is to remake a bracelet with simple collage.

Using images in just one color family gives this collage bracelet a sophisticated, "put together" look. Scroll down for Michele Beschen's how-to, and get ready to B. Original with some bracelet collage.

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Collage Bracelet

Materials:

old bracelet
magazines
paper cutter
clear gloss medium and varnish

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• Start with an old bracelet that fits you well. It can be made of any material, but needs to be fairly smooth.

• Search through magazines, pulling out pages with colors you like. Sort the pages by color family (figure A).

• Use the paper cutter to slice the pages into strips about 1/2" wide. You can use scissors, but a paper cutter makes better edges and saves lots of time. Don't mix up the strips – keep them sorted by color family.

• Position one strip vertically on the bracelet, leaving enough room to wrap it around the underside of the bracelet as well. Mark and trim the strip so that it wraps all the way around the bracelet with a 1/4"overlap.

• Use that strip as a template to cut several strips to the same length.

• Use a small paintbrush to apply clear gloss medium on the outside of the bracelet. Place a strip in position and smooth it into place.

• Place a second strip, slightly overlapping the first one. To speed things up, attach a number of strips to the outside first (figure B). Then come back to wrap the ends and glue them to the inside.

• Try to keep your hands free of glue while assembling the bracelet. If you get glue on the strips, the graphics could start to smudge.

• Tuck all the ends in and smooth them down flat on the inside of the bracelet.

• When the entire bracelet is covered, apply two coats of gloss medium/varnish to the entire surface (figure C). Let the bracelet dry completely between coats. If you prefer a less glossy finish, use matte medium and varnish.

• If you like, you can finish off the inside of the bracelet further with a band of fabric or ribbon. Simply glue it in place with more of the varnish.

When all is dry, you will have a beautiful collage for your wrist. Grab a stack of magazines and wrap one up in every color!