Endless Summer Projects | Friendship Charm Bracelet

by Jennifer Cooper, posted on July 17th, 2013 in Endless Summer Projects

This Endless Summer Projects post is sponsored by OgoSport. Tell OgoSport your favorite playground, park or outdoor space to play and your favorite place to refuel with a bite to eat using #playrefuel or by visiting them on Facebook and you’ll be entered to win a $250 OgoSport gift basket and other prizes. Contest ends August 31st.

Friends, I’m just going to lay it out for you here: I went into major flashback mode for today’s Endless Summer Project. Get ready to channel the 80s with me… We’re making friendship charm bracelets. They’re the exact type of thing I would have loved to rock in my childhood days.

Some things about this project. One, if your child doesn’t have many neighborhood friends to swap charms with, mail a pack of supplies to a friend, cousin or pen pal. They can mail charms back and forth all summer long. I also think it’s a super sweet idea for parents and kids to exchange charms.

Second, I had to help the kids with the jump rings and fasteners. They can be a tricky, even for 10 year olds. And finally, I know this project requires a trip to the craft store. But, I think these turned out so cute, the trip is worth it.

Okay, let’s get to it, shall we?

For this project, you’ll need…

Step 1
Use a large circle craft punch on your Shrinky Dink paper. If you don’t have a craft punch, you can cut out circles using scissors. Same thing, just takes a bit longer.

Step 2
Use permanent markers to decorate Shrinky Dink charms.

Step 3
Use a hole punch to punch holes at the top of the charms.

Step 4
Place charms on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 5
Once cooled, place jump rings through holes using pliers.

Step 6
Take a length of string or cording and attach closure to one end. You can often find packages of cording and closures together in the jewelry section at your local craft store. If you see one, grab it. It makes life easier not having to hunt through all the fasteners and jewelry stuffs.

Step 7
String on charms. Attach jump ring or other closure to opposite end. You’re done!

ps. Want to see Shrinky Dinks in action? Just hit play… (the pieces in the video could be made into charms by punching a hole into the top before baking)

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Check out the other great ideas in this series:
Mosaic Stepping Stones DIY by Lulu the Baker
Weeknight Barbecue by Alexandra Hedin
Sharpie Dyed Tee Shirts by Pars Caeli
Make a Bug House by Classic Play
Mini Masterpieces by Lulu the Baker
Bubble Painting by Alexandra Hedin
Memoir Boxes by Pars Caeli

About Endless Summer Projects
Now through August, I’m teaming up with my friends Melissa aka Lulu the Baker, Alexandra Hedin and MJ from Pars Caeli to bring you crafts, games and party ideas all summer long. Visit any of our blogs on Wednesdays for a new project each week.