How to make bracelets from popsicle sticks!

BySusan Myers on kids crafts

So I was looking through my vintage craft book collection and ran across a 1970 Pack O’ Fun magazine. They had instructions on how to take a simple popsicle stick and turn it into a bracelet.  I’m always happy to try and take a good idea and run with it.

popsicle stick bracelets

Well, I’m certainly on board for that. The thought of being able to make wood pliable put all kinds of ideas in my head. But we’ll start with the project at hand which happened to be bracelets. 

popsicle stick bracelets / suzys artsy craftsy sitcom

So lets put together some cute bracelets. With bling.

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For this project I used:

make bracelets from popsicle sticks

The instructions in the magazine called for allowing the popsicle sticks to sit in water overnight. Once they have become completely saturated, it was simple enough to curve them to fit into the top of a drinking glass.

Sitcom-2-step-optioncraft

make bracelets from popsicle sticks

I found that I still had to work the wood, warming it with my fingers, to make it pliable enough to fit into the top of the glass without splitting. My success rate was about 60%.

So, I tried it again, but this time I used a pan of water and boiled the popsicle sticks for about 30 minutes and then allowed them to sit in the hot water for another 30 minutes. This time my success rate for unsplit popsicle sticks was about 80%. Either way works well and if you aren’t as picky as I am, your success rate might be better. The sticks are cheap, so I’m okay with a bit of error.

make bracelets from popsicle sticks

Once the sticks are formed in the glasses, I allowed them to thoroughly dry overnight and then easily removed them from the glasses.

how to make bracelets with popsicle sticks

Once I removed them from the glasses, I added a coat of Mod Podge to the insides and used small hair ties to help them maintain their shape.

Now for the next step!

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I am an artist, crafter and humor writer living in Atlanta, GA. I attended the Atlanta College of Art, and have a background in fine arts, graphic design, and photography. I like to specialize in vintage and recycled crafts such as quilling, Ukrainian Egg Dying, batik and quilting.

185 Comments

  1. Hi Ashley,

    If you don’t want to use boiling water, soaking them overnight should work.

    suzy

  2. Do i Soak them not boiling water

    Can u help me

  3. Love this idea. For preschool and Jr. Church . can’t wait to make these????

  4. Anonymous says:

    This is a big hit, great craft! Love it.
    Mari

  6. This is such a super cute idea! I would totally wear one of these (assuming it fits around my wrist). Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday this week!

  8. I would think it is possible! Would love to see what you make!
    suzy

  9. Anonymous says:

    could this project be done with wooden coffee stirrers?

  11. Anonymous says:

    Great! I love bracelets and like to wear several at one time….especially bluey, greeny earth colors. I am excited about trying these and wearing them to love and see reaction 🙂

  13. I knew I saved all those popsicle sticks for a reason! I love to do crafts with my kids and am always looking for creative uses for things we already have around the house. This is such a cute idea and your bracelets look great. Thanks for sharing this! 🙂

  14. Thanks for the cute idea. I plan to use this during craft time at our dance camp next month.

  15. i had the same problems, and i tried several times. i’m with you..any suggestions?

  16. awesome, at first i coudn’t believe you used wooden sticks.LOL but you’re right it’s to bow with water and carefully and patience;-D
    I had made many years ago by using a flat iron and water a wooden boat.
    And my sis made a wooden chair by using her oven and water.LOL
    But i was totallly forgotten this idea. Thank you for the brilliant idea of using those sticks. Love this tute and the sharing.!!!!;-D

  17. Lulu Love says:

    Hi! Thank you for putting this online. This is the first time I’ve been to this website, it took me a couple minutes to wait becuase of all the comments haha, but i loved the idea. The first time I saw this I was like ” Popsicle sticks….? ” and my face was like :??
    But after I read this I was like this is so awesome! First time I’ve ever heard of this idea! I have one, but it’s storebought. Grrr. I spent $2.39 on it! But now that i know this idea I can make it myself AND remember not to buy these anymore! Haha xD

    Thanks!!!!!

  18. That is so stinkin’ cool! I’m definitely trying!

  19. awesome . really crreative

  20. so great , i got many ideas from it

  21. This is very similar to the process guitar makers use to bend the sides of a guitar. That being said, if you have a large barrel curling iron, after the soak, you could use that to bend the sticks to get exactly the shape you want, then tie a piece of string or a ribbon around it to hold the shape as it cools and dries. I think I might try this to see how it works!

  22. that craft is working really good for me i love it

  23. Nicole, I’m so glad they worked out for you! Sounds like you were incredibly busy!

  24. I tried these, and they came out fantastic! I boiled the popsicle sticks like you said for 30 minutes, then let them cool slightly while still in the water. I formed them into 5 oz. plastic dixie cups to dry and those were the perfect size for the kids. I made 75 of them and only a handful splintered. They were much easier to bend while still warm and wet.

  25. Great idea I love these bracelets!

    Jewelry Rage

  26. If you have trouble bending the sticks try this – boil for about 30 minutes. Turn off heat and let sit in hot water for another 30 minutes. Drain off hot water and rinse the sticks in cold water. Drain and refill the cold water 2 or 3 times. Let the sticks you are not working with sit in the pan of cold water while you begin bending the first stick.

    I just finished bending 300 sticks for a crafting party and using this method seemed to decrease the splitting rate dramatically.

  27. Hi Nicole!

    Yes, several others had mentioned in the comments that they went this route. A great idea! Mine were actually too small for my wrists as I had used very small glasses to make them. The process of adding wet paint to the wood will usually make them open up a bit, that is why I suggested small mouthed glasses. I used juice glasses. They were perfect for my daughter’s skinny wrists. Thanks so much for stopping by the Sitcom! Send me a photo of your finished project and I will be sure to post it!

    suzy

  28. This is well intentioned, however I did them and they are WAY too big for a wrist, and I have a fat wrist! If you have a rotary tool drill that is delicate, you can easily poke two small holes on each end, and I actually strung through an elastic bracelet band so it snuggly fits your wrist! Thank you for the initial idea though!

  29. Jennie Blackburn says:

    What if you put small holes in the ends of the sticks before soaking, either with a drill or crop aedile, then used ribbon to tie the bracelet together?

  30. These are beautiful. Great painted designs. An impressive inexpensive craft. Love it.

  31. Fantastic! My granddaughters and nieces will love these as gifts. : )

  32. Janyce Bailey says:

    My brother recommended I would possibly like this website. He was totally right. This put up truly made my day. You can not believe just how so much time I had spent for this info! Thank you!

  33. Anonymous says:

    would adding food coloring *or easter egg die* in the boiling water work??? gonna find out! 🙂

  34. Zauberpalme says:

    What a brilliant idea! Absolutely awesome.

  35. Anonymous says:

    Such a great idea! I can't wait to do this with my daughter and the little girl I nanny. They are always asking for a new and fun craft…I think I found one. Thank you!

  36. Anonymous says:

    Suzy– This is such a cute idea. My 11 year old loves your site. She is very creative and likes to make things. She tried this, and soaked and bent, and they did bend but perhaps because none of our glasses were small enough (or too small) they were not good to actually wear as bracelets. But, she decided to practice painting designs (on flat sticks) while waiting for curling/ drying etc. and it turns out they make GREAT bookmarks for yourself, little gifts. So cute. My husband drills a small hole in the end when done to attach a tassle.

  37. Suzy
    You are devine for responding. I had no idea one could set their comments so no replies can be posted so I most humbly apologize 😉 Thank you for responding anyway!

    So, I did buy the wider ones first. I soaked them over night. I boiled them for a half hour and messed with them for a minute before I decided to boil them for a half hour longer. And therein lies another problem. Wood floats. How do you jump that hurtle?

    It just seems like they JUST NEVER got soft enough, especially the ends (same brand as in your pics). And the ones that I could bend slowly and gently enough never were circular- they wouldn't bend at the ends to lay flat against the inside of the glass.

    So. Any thoughts to this would be greatly appreciated because I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS!!!

    P.S. I'll mess with some buttons so comments can be posted!

    Thanks again!!

  38. Val Bennett says:

    these are wonderful! And your artwork makes me envious! Sooooo beautiful. Thank you for sharing your ideas and talents

  39. Suzy Myers says:

    D&N- your comment is set to no-reply, so I will have to try to help you here. I would recommend using the wider craft sticks if you are having difficulties. Soak them over night and then you have to gently bend them, working them into a good curve with your fingers. My success rate was definitely not 100%. If the stick had any mars or problem areas, the stick didn't bend to my liking. I went through a few before I got some that worked.

    Hope that helps.
    suzy

  40. erm. ok. yes. love these. so i tried it. did NOT work AT ALL. when i put them in the glasses none of them would bend completely so they turned out more horse shoe shape than half circle. they also all split horribly. what'd i do wrong? please help me out with this!

  41. Woow!! Love this one! I gonna try this one! Please take a look on my blog!

  42. Also shear genius. I would have never guessed these were made from popsicle sticks.

  43. Hi Suzy! I remember seeing these when you first posted them. 🙂

    I have a new site, Fun Family Crafts, it's similar in nature to Craftgawker and Spotlight, but different in that it's a library of craft tutorials geared only at kids. I would love it if you'd stop by and submit this to be featured! (I link to you, I don't post your tutorial on the site) Feel free to submit as many kid friendly craft tutorials as you like! http://funfamilycrafts.com/

  44. Anonymous says:

    Ingenious ! ! !

  45. Eylem's Wardrobe says:

    oh wow you are a genius!!!! thats so clever and so cute!!!

  46. I volunteer at our local senior center where I brought these to be decorated by the seniors. They had a great time, using markers and glitter glue as well as ribbon to make cute bracelets. The idea came from perusing your website. Thanks so much, Lisa Jo

  47. colormeperfect says:

    These would make good napkin rings as well 😀

  48. Thanks for posting this!

    These will make great napkin rings too!

    I was able to start bending my sticks after boiling for 30 minutes. I used a lower quality stick and it came out fine. I also noticed that the sticks with the knots would splinter or break every time.

    I think I'm going to use mine as a craft for my dd's 5th birthday.

  49. I love it! Although I've tried to do and I have a problem, it is very open to me. Sorry for my bad English!

  51. Anonymous says:

    School's out for summer & I SO need to get some sticks! What a great craft idea. I think the kids would luv to decorate a few of these…and mommy would too!
    Kim @ tiarasandbowties.blogspot.com

  52. One of the most creative craft ideas I've seen in a long, long time. Gonna try it!

  53. am gonna try this and I hope it works 😉

  54. these are so good i am a speech therapist so i have a lot of tongue depressors 🙂 they will work great too :)stumbled you

  55. Amazing.

  56. I'm a teacher , and my children will love this.
    Thank you for this great idea.

  57. these totally rock…i love them

  59. i am so going to try with my students – thanks!

  60. Jacqueline says:

    I love these! Was wondering though, have you tried the pre-colored sticks? I saw those today when I went to get those and man would that make things easier!! Wasn't sure if the color would come off though when soaking.

  61. This is so cool. I actually ordered some large sticks and small ones to make bracelets and rings. Instead of drawing on them, I am going to make felt coverings for them and then decorate them with beads. I just loved this idea! You are so smart.

  62. AllieMakes! says:

    WOW! Very cool!
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie!
    AllieMakes.blogspot.com

  64. Nicolette @ Momnivore's Dilemma says:

    Simple. Easy. Must try!

    Thanks for sharing this at Creative Juice, Suzy! Hope to see you back this week…

  67. Patricia L says:

    Now that is cool. I saw you featured on All Things Fee and had to click through to see how in the world you could bend popsicle sticks like that!

  68. Amy Bowman says:

    featuring this post tomorrow at "AP Tuesday!" Thanks for linking up…my daughters can't wait to try this!

  69. I wanted to let you know that I featured these in my "What I Bookmarked This Week" post -stop by and check it out.

    Danielle

  70. How cool and fun. I might have to try making some of these. Love the designs on yours, but I think I will stick with mod podge. You got skills girl with that paintbrush. Found you at New Nostalgia.

  71. Vicki Smith says:

    This is a fantastic idea and I can't wait to try it out with a class that I teach. Thank you for sharing.

  72. {nifty thrifty things} says:

    Thank you so much again for linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday} and making my first party such a great success! I would love if you stopped by tomorrow and share more of your cute projects! 🙂
    xoxo,
    Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things}

  73. Sweet Peas and Bumblebees says:

    So Adorable!!

    I would love it if you would link it up to our What I Made Wednesday Linky Party!!

    Also, stop in for a chance to win our 100 Follower Giveaway {{Beaded Watch & Hobby Lobby Gift Card}}

    Alisa
    Sweet Peas and Bumblebees
    sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com

  74. They're incredible. I didn't think it was possible to do that with popsicle sticks.

  75. lbolling2 says:

    Such a cute project! I love them and I really love that anybody could do them in some way shape or form. We are not all great painters but with all the pretty papers and stick on stones out there most of us can come up with something great. Thanks for sharing.

  76. amyswandering says:

    What a great summer project for my girls. Thanks!!

  77. Jessica, The Mom says:

    I love this! I saw it on Not Just A Housewife and had to click for more details. Fabulous idea that I will definitely be trying with my three year old daughter! Thanks!

  80. liZ evans says:

    Dude…I can't believe that really works! How fun. I totally have to go and try it now.
    liZ
    (simplesimonandco)

  82. Nancy ~ Inkcicles says:

    Very clever!
    🙂

  84. I never would have thought that brittle popsicle sticks could be flexible. Amazing! Yeah for old magazines and thanks for sharing.

  85. Condo Blues says:

    That's just brilliant! What really makes is your painting. Girl, you have TALENT.

  87. concretenprimroses says:

    these are great! I love vintage craft books too. TFS
    Kathy

  88. Rachael @ The Little Birdie says:

    BEAUTIFUL!! What a great idea, and a fun activity for kids too. I am definitely filing this one away. Thanks for posting, and for linking up at The Little Birdie! 🙂

  89. Great Tutorial! Thanks for sharing! I am definitely going to try this!

  90. How about using them for headbands for such as american girl and stuffed dolls. I can see fancy fascinators for dolls right now !!!
    That is why I never throw a craft magazine away. Particularly since they are so expensive now. $5 to $15 means it is a keeper!!
    Thanks for the idea. I can't believe I came across one of those packs of sticks just yesterday while hunting some other stuff. Now if I can find the pan and start the water. Let you know the results Thanks again for the Idea!!

  91. The Gunny Sack says:

    These are so cool! Never would've thought you could do this. Thanks for sharing with us!

  92. Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says:

    this is seriously cool!!! My daughter and I will have so much fun making these!!!

  93. K. the Littlest Crafter says:

    Very cool!

  95. A Creative Dream... says:

    Those are just great, I can't wait to try them myself!

  96. This is such a fab idea, they look awesome!

  97. harika ya teşekkürler

  98. April Showers says:

    LOVE this idea!!! I'm definitely going to be making these. I have hoards of popsicle sticks. I love your blog, and am your newest follower. And I'm follower #1000!!! Congrats! I feel so special to be your 1000th follower. 🙂

  99. These are absolutely AWEsome!!!

  100. This is AMAZING!!! I can't wait to try this!

  102. Oh my gosh! How awesome! I am definitely going to try this. I've been searching for a new jewelry project. Thanks!

  103. The Activity Mom says:

    so fun! love it!

  105. Never knew you could do that with popsicle sticks! What a cute idea!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

  106. So cute! Kids will love making these. I'm posting a link to my Artfire Kids Guild. Thanks for posting.

  107. Emily Elliott says:

    My daughter would love doing this project with me. Thanks for sharing!

  109. Sara Henton says:

    Holy freakin dinah who knew you could manipulate popsicle sticks? I'm so on this!!

  110. What a great idea and a craft to do with kids too!

  111. Evimin İncileri Belgin says:

    Süper fikir kızımla yapacağım teşekkürler 🙂

  112. Handy Man, Crafty Woman says:

    What a fun project!

  113. Anonymous says:

    Beautiful! Thanks for posting. XXOO

  115. Amy@ServingPinkLemonade says:

    This is awesome! I will definitely be remembering this one. Thanks!

  118. CelebratingGoodTimes.com says:

    love this and do I have a lot of sticks!!! Now if I can just paint them as beautifully as you do!

  119. This is insanely awesome, and the decorating is beautiful!

  120. This is crazy! How cool. Great kid project!

  121. Spontaneous Threads says:

    This is seriously great. Boiling the water- brilliant! Thanks

  122. Etcetorize says:

    Love love love this project! It's definitely going in my 'to do' file.

  123. Christine says:

    Wow! These are so cute.

  124. ❀❀❀Ðαωᾔ❀❀❀ says:

    I'm impressed, very cleaver and cute also. Visiting for Sew Happy Geek.

  126. Love it! THose are awesome!

  128. Anne Maskell says:

    What a great idea! Your designs are fabulous. I'm going to file this project away for when my nieces visit me this summer. Thank you so much for sharing!(I'm visiting from SHG, hope you visit me too!)

  129. This is so cool. I am actually looking for crafts for Vbs this summer. Awesome. Love it.

  130. kristy.lynn @ kristy.makes says:

    WOW! who knew you could bend those things?! what a great idea! totally bookmarking for later use! 🙂

    thanks for sharing! found you via fingerprints on the fridge! 🙂

  131. GET OUT! this rocks!!! Thank you SO much for sharing this AWESOME idea. I can't wait to get started!!! 🙂

  132. What a great idea! These remind me a little of a modern (and much cuter) version of the old 80's slap bracelet. 🙂

  133. ladyjane1967 says:

    How cute, will love to try these .I have a friend who will do this as she has several children.
    Will pass this on to her. Thanks to people who are doing green projects!

  134. Great idea! I love how they turned out!

  135. what a fabulous idea! can't wait to try this out!

  136. Deepi's World says:

    What a great idea…they are so pretty!!

  137. So cool! I can't wait to try these with my daughter. She will love them!

  138. These are awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your bracelets. I wonder if you could even use a Sharpie on it?

  139. Harika.Çok beğendim.

  140. Shala Kerrigan says:

    Just a fantastic project. Thank you!

  141. taidyeoriginal says:

    wow! These are amazing and so simple! Thanks for the fun tutorial!

  142. Michelle L. says:

    Absolutely gorgeous! What a genius idea to use a glass like that!

  143. they turned out prettier than I could picture them , of course.

  144. Jaderbomb says:

    OMG!!! I LOVE THIS!!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

  145. ohazgal.1463 says:

    L O V E This ! No kids, but I'll try this one !LOL! It probably would work for kidlets too. Maybe want to do the "bending" then let the kids decorate.

  146. Cheryl @ Sew Can Do says:

    These are awesome!!

  147. {nifty thrifty things} says:

    That's so cute!! I love the bracelets!
    I am hosting my first linky party today and would love for you to link up! 🙂 {nifty thrifty sunday}
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

  148. House Revivals says:

    OH, Wow! These are beautiful! Such a cool idea, but you took it over and above with your fabulous painting!
    ~Amanda

  149. Wonderful idea and perfect timing! I was just hoping for some cute bracelet tutorials to participate in Craft Hopes newest endeavor. Thanks!

  150. Jengerbread says:

    Very cool! I may have to try this!

  151. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says:

    So I thought I'd seen everything — NOT! And I thought those WERE covered with paper — you are one talented painter! I think I'll stick to paper! Thanks for the great tutorial and suggestions — will be bookmarking this one for sure!

  152. La Bouilloire Noire says:

    loads of fun! Who needs kids to do this one?

  153. How fun! We will be making some of these for the next Craft Hope project!!

  154. Rebekah★All Thingz Related★ says:

    My daughter and I are going to try this! 🙂

  155. Chameleon Girls says:

    We will give this a try! Great ideas!!!

  156. Rhonda @ Dollar Store Crafts says:

    Love this idea! Thanks for submitting them to Dollar Store Crafts – I'll be linking!

  157. Judy Bagwell says:

    Awesome idea. I hope to give these a try myself.

  158. Rachael@Lovely Crafty Home says:

    Wow these are so neat, I never would have thought you could bend them link that. As usual, your artistic talent shows!

  159. Those are adorable!

  160. Maridith @ Strictly Homemade says:

    Now that is fun!! Great idea!!

  161. Ειρηνη Σ says:

    very nice!!!!!!

  162. Heidi @ Mom's Crafty Space says:

    I have a gazillion popsicle sticks, and kids who apparently don't care for crafting with popsicle sticks at all…thanks for the brilliant solution to my problem! 🙂

  163. Erica {B is for Boy} says:

    I would have never imagined that popsicle sticks could bend! I have 2 boys but I guess their's could be called cuffs vs bracelets!

  164. Prairie Patch says:

    These is brilliant! I had no idea popsicle sticks could bend. I'll be trying this soon.

    Cheers,
    Tracy All Thumbs Crafts

  165. June@I will craft says:

    Wow what a great idea. I remember getting those Pack O' Fun magazines when I was younger. A couple years ago I even came across a stack my Mom kept but they were so musty smelling that I didn't keep them to see what treasures they had inside.

  166. cherrylej says:

    wow! that's amazing, i didn't know popcicle sticks can be as fashinable as that! you're awesome.

  167. Two Shades of Pink says:

    This is incredible! I love this idea and my girls would go crazy over this! They are all about the bracelets and having them be a craft? Just awesome.

  168. Thank you for sharing that looks amazing and I will certainly be giving it a try!

  169. Jessica @ My World - Made By Hand says:

    This is amazing…thanks for sharing. I'm your newest follower and plan on featuring this in my Sunday Stalker edition. Please stop by, check it out, and grab a button if you would like.

    Jessica
    http://myworldmadebyhand.blogspot.com

  170. Decorating these would be a great little-girl-party activity. Of course, my big girl is gonna want to try this too!

  171. Maria-Isabel @ Agape Love Designs says:

    That is so cool! I love how you painted them and then added the little jewel. They all look amazing! 🙂 Im bookmarking to try later!! 🙂

  172. sweet european dreams says:

    oh. my. goodness. My daughter will FLIP over these. This is now added to my list of summer-survival crafts! Thanks so much for including the tutorial as well. Glad I found you today via the Favorite Things linky! -diane
    http://www.sweeteuropeandreams.com

  173. Kathy in FW TX says:

    Suzy – you are just so cool!! I wish I had kept all my old children's magazines now. Your painting is amazing!! Love this craft.

  174. Terri @ A Creative Princess says:

    Suzy, this is awesome!!! I'm going to try it today! Thank you! I'm featuring this on Sat.

  175. put quilling on them and sell them on etsy!!!!!!

  176. Are you gonna sell these on etsy? you should

  177. This is so flipping great!! I am going to run to get some sticks asap!!
    I tweeted your link lol 🙂 🙂 🙂

  178. Michelle@Somedaycrafts says:

    Very cool idea! I didn't know you could bend those without them breaking. I will feature this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com today.!

  179. Joyce - Quilted Nest says:

    You 'hand painted' these? Amazing! Everything is so perfect and even.

  180. Really, really cute!! I definitely see you coming up with a whole new series!

  181. chillin with Quillin says:

    Awsom ,love the designs and bling!
    Paula

  182. mississippi artist says:

    How cute! I might have to try this. Love the colors and designs on yours.

  183. Thanks! The bracelets are great, you did such a good job painting them. It would be fun to try with my grand daughter.

  184. Toucan Scraps says:

    fantastic fun project Suzy.

    I'm going to tweet this.

  185. Raquel W. says:

    Oh I am so gonna try this!!!! awesome POST! <3 your blog!

Comments are closed.