How to Make an Origami Bracelet Using Metallic Paper

If you're looking to spice up your wardrobe with a different colored bracelet for every outfit, but don't want to spend a fortune in the process, then this little origami bracelet may be just the right accessory for you. Or if you're a student in school, you can wow your friends in the cafeteria with this quick and easy fashion project. The paper-folding techniques used to make this bracelet stem from the East End of London during the early 20th century, where poor children living there folded and linked old candy wrappers into floor mats to sell.

Things You'll Need

• Metallic origami or foil paper (two contrasting colors)
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors or paper cutter
• Small amount of glue

Instructions

1. 

   Measure and mark off the metallic paper into 8 inch by 1 inch oblong sections. Use scissors or a paper cutter to cut the 8 inch by 1 inch oblong strips (see Figure 1).

2. 

   Fold each oblong strip in half, crease, then unfold (to establish a center crease). Bring the edges of the oblong strip toward the center crease. Crease end folds (see Figure 2).

3. 

   Fold the creased strip in half, as if you were closing a book. Now, you have a completed bracelet link. Repeat Step 2 using a contrasting colored 8 inch by 1 inch oblong strip. Slip one of the paper links into the folds of the second link (see Figure 3). Pull down on the inserted link as far as it will go (in Figure 3 that would be the blue link).

4. 

   Repeat Step 3 again and again, adding on to the first unit. Remember to use contrasting colored links while forming the bracelet's chain of links (see Figure 4).

5. 

   When the desired chain length is reached (to fit around your wrist), prepare to lock the bracelet by making the last bracelet link (See Step 2). Open this last link, and crease it in half, so that it is one long unit (see Figure 5). Insert this long, center-creased oblong strip through the folds of the last link.

6. 

   Gather the other end of the bracelet chain, and tuck the ends of the long oblong unit into the folds of the first, original bracelet link. The ends need to be tucked up and under the first link, which is probably the most challenging part of making the bracelet (See figure 6). Use a drop or two of glue to make a secure lock, if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• One problem you might run into is if the 8 inch by 1 inch strips aren't cut accurately. Trim each folded bracelet link, as necessary, before inserting into a contrasting-colored link. If you have trouble with the ending lock, just make sure the ends are tucked and secured the best you can, adding a bit of glue to glue things in place.