One lazy Sunday, I decided I was going to get crafty.
A few weeks prior, I went to visit my mother, who lives on the beach, and I picked up a few shells and some sea glass. Early morning walks on the beach are generally the best for finding whole shells – they wash up during the night and are not picked over yet by tourists and children.
I decided to clean out my closet one weekend shortly after and had a bag of clothes ready to go to Goodwill. One shirt I held on to, due to the fact that it had a giant red wine stain on the front. I felt bad throwing it away, so I decided to try and recycle it into making some cloth jewelry. Here is what I ended up with:
Pretty right?
This bracelet was really simple, and I get a lot of compliments on it. People are stunned to know it is made from a recycled T-shirt. Here is how it’s done:
- Cut off a thin strip of fabric off of the bottom of the T-Shirt about 15 inches long.
- Thread pink pearls (these cost me a few dollars at a craft store and came with hundred of these little pearls) onto the fabric using a large needle.
- With crazy glue/super glue (I am not sure what other glue sticks to both shell material and fabric) fuse both loose ends onto the back of the shell. Let dry for an hour.
- Twist around your wrist and position shells and pearls to your liking.
Why I love this little green thing:
It’s eco-friendly
Made from natural and recycled materials
It contains beach memories
I like it better on my wrist than in a landfill
I made it myself
It doubles as a necklace
The cotton material is soft and non-allergenic
Shell necklace
Got to see one of these up close at a private arts and crafts show in Gainesville a couple weeks ago… Very cool! Inspired me to make my own, but with fine otter hair instead of a t-shirt. Gave it to my dog, Mr. Schmills, as a present. He ate it though… and coughed up a shell two days later! Silly little guy.
so cute! love it!