Tools and Materials

• Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
• Hot-glue pad
• Thin cotton rope
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Fabric stiffener
• Small bowl
• Drinking glass
• Plastic wrap
• Electric fan (optional)
• Metallic paint

Rope Bangle Bracelet How-To

1. Squirt a dime-size amount of hot glue onto glue pad. Line up ends of thin cotton rope and press into hot glue. Let cool.

2. Twist, braid or knot rope in the design you prefer. Make a loop, and adjust loop until inside diameter measures 2 1/2 inches (small), 2 5/8 inches (medium), or 2 3/4 inches (large); mark end point with finger.

3. Squirt another dime-size amount of hot glue onto glue pad; press rope into glue where your finger is holding the end. Let cool to secure. Once cooled, cut through hot glue at bottom end; trim strands at top end. Use hot glue to neatly attach two ends together.

4. Pour fabric stiffener into bowl; submerge rope bracelet. Remove bracelet from stiffener and use fingers to remove excess.

5. Cover a drinking glass with plastic wrap. Place bracelet over cup and push down to form into a circle; keep in place for one minute, then remove. Place bracelet on plastic wrap on a flat surface and press down to level it. Let dry 2 to 12 hours (use a fan to speed up drying time).

6. Paint with metallic paint; let dry.

For an illustrated guide on creating the rope bangle, check out Kristin's step-by-step how-to on The Crafts Dept. blog.

Resources

Martha Stewart Crafts fabric stiffener, metallic paint (in silver, brass, copper, and gold), brush cleaner, and tools available at PlaidOnline.com and at Michaels stores.