5 Ways to Turn Zippers into Awesome Arm Candy

UPDATE: By popular demand, Zipper Bracelet Kits ($15) and readymade Zipper Bracelets ($20) are now available in the Brit + Co. shop!

You know we love turning unconventional materials into wearable accessories. Today, we’re tackling zippers! We figured out 5 simple, beautiful ways to create bracelets, cuffs, and bangles out of metal, plastic, and repurposed zippers.

Materials:
– zippers

– E-6000 quick hold contact adhesive

– velcro or snap buttons

– leather crimps + clasps

– Tools: needle nose pliers, sharp scissors

First thing to do is get your zippers! We got most of these for $1 a piece. And if you’re really on a repurposing kick, you can steal one from an old hoodie or that dirty windbreaker you’ve been hanging on to since the late ’80s.

1. Zipper Bangles

These bangles are sweet, and have a definite friendship bracelet vibe.

Use colored zippers for these, in whatever colors you like. Cut close to the zip so that there’s almost no fabric on the sides and measure around your wrist. Cut any excess zipper but make sure it can still zip!

Attach cord ends so that you can add a clasp and loop. Repeat with each color and you’re done!

2. Braided Cuff

For this one, you’ll want a zipper with some contrast.

We chose a black zipper with gold teeth. Cut it in half and then unzip so you have four pieces. Discard one. Clamp three with a leather crimp and braid! Add a crimp to the other end, clasp, and done.

3. Denim Bracelet

This one is silly simple!

Get a zipper with a more interesting material like denim. Cut it down to the size of your wrist. Clamp one end and twist. Clamp the other end. Zip or unzip, and rock it!

4. Blinged Out Cuff

This one is definitely the most complicated but it’s still pretty simple!

Take a long zipper and cut it in half (make sure it fits around your wrist twice!). Glue the two halves together. Add velcro on either end or snap buttons to fasten it around your wrist.

Now, get some more zippers (preferably the same color) and cut them down to the teeth. Use glue to attach and start making a spiral design. Keep gluing along the way (use a toothpick to tidy up glue that squeezes out).

5. Zipper Wrap Bracelet

Last, the wrap bracelet! You want to use a pretty long zipper for this one as it should wrap around your wrist two or three times.

And that’s a wrap (hehe!). We’re loving our new zipper accessories – perhaps a zipper belt is in our future?

And they actually look pretty awesome when you wear them all at once!

Have you tried making jewelry (or anything else) out of zippers? Tell us in the comments below. And if you have questions about this tutorial, give us a shout!