Button Bracelet

This project is super fun, super cute, super quick, and super easy.  What more could you ask for?

Materials :

buttons (I usually use around 20-30 buttons depending on size)

1mm elastic string

extra large crimp bead (or a knot if you would rather)

clear drying, waterproof craft glue (I like to use a fabric glue called liquid stitch)

You might also need pliers

1) Pick your buttons!

Don't be afraid to use buttons of different shapes, sizes, or colors!

I love buying assorted bags of buttons because not only are they cheaper than buying individual buttons, but you never know what you're going to find.

 For a 7-8" bracelet, plan on using approximately 20-30 buttons total.  The number of buttons will depend on the size of the buttons you choose.
Once you've picked your buttons, be aware that there will be two sides to your bracelet.  I like to line my buttons up into separate lines representing the bracelet's "front" and "back" sides (approximately 10-15 buttons per line). Make sure each line has an equal amount of buttons. Generally, I purposefully choose the better looking buttons for the "front" side.

2) Cut your elastic string!

For the average 7-8" bracelet, you want to use approximately 16" of string.  As you will learn in step 3, there are two ways to thread your buttons.  If you plan on using the "X" method, add another 5" to your string length.

3) Threading the buttons!

There are two ways to "thread" your buttons. 
I like to call the first way the "dash" method. This method is simply sticking the string through the back side of one hole and then sticking it through the front side of the other hole.  If the button you are using has four holes instead of two, I would recommend using two holes diagonal from one another. 
The second method is the "X" method.  You start off doing exactly what you would do if you were doing a  "dash".  Then, you do another "dash" using the two remaining holes. 


4)  Adding more buttons!

When you add your buttons, you will alternate between "front" and "back" buttons.  So you will first add a button from your "front" line followed by a button from your "back" line.  And you simply continue in this manner until you've used up all of your buttons. If you start with a "front button, you should end with a "back" button.

Also, when stringing on buttons, be sure to pull the buttons tight together.  You will know if you're not pulling them tight enough if there are odd gaps between buttons (this problem could also be a result from buttons being too different in size, in which case you should consider rearranging the order of your buttons).  On the other hand, if you are pulling them too tight together the buttons will severely bunch up. It's okay if they bunch up a little though.

 I put pictures to your left depicting what your bracelet should look like at this point.  Notice, however, I am pulling the sides of the string to make the bracelet look straight.  It won't be perfectly straight like that at first.

5) Closing it off

You could use a knot, but a crimp bead is more secure, and I would definitely recommend it if you want your bracelet to last. If you use a knot (double-knot please), make sure it's as tight as you can get it and then glue the knot.  I would recommend cutting the excess string after the glue is on and dried just in case the knot decides to come loose.

If you decide to use a crimp bead, start off by inserting the two sides of the string into opposite sides of the crimp bead.  This might be a little difficult the first time you try it.  I suggest getting one side of the string in first then pulling it tight (so there's more room inside the bead for the second side) and then slipping the other side of the string in.  It might take you a couple tries, don't get discouraged.  Pull tight, then take your pliers and crimp the crimp bead -- simple, right?  

After that, you may cut the excess string and then add the glue.  

let it dry...

                                                                                                   then you're DONE!