How to Make Crafts From Gum Candy Wrappers

Chewing gum has been around for many years. The first patent was issued to an Ohio dentist in 1869, according to the National Association of Chewing Gum manufacturers. Many types of gum now come in paper wrappers. Folding those wrappers and connecting them to create a chain can be a fun way to recycle what would normally be trash. The longest gum wrapper chain on record is 58,266 feet, according to GumWrapper.com. Chains can be created with other types of material, such as candy wrappers or even colorful strips of paper.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper wrappers from sticks of gum

How to Make Crafts From Gum Candy Wrappers

1. Tear or cut the wrapper lengthwise. Each wrapper will yield two strips.

2. 
    
   One strip

   Fold one strip in half lengthwise, then fold it in half lengthwise again.

3. 
    
   Strip folded into a V

   Fold the resulting strip in half, then unfold. Bring the ends of the folded strip in to the center and fold in half the short way to create a V.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the second half of the wrapper. Connect the resulting Vs by threading the arms of one of the Vs into the folds of the arms of another V.

5. 
    
   Zigzag pattern of connected Vs

   Repeat steps 1 through 4 with as many wrappers as you have, connecting the resulting Vs to the previous V. The resulting chain will have a zigzag pattern.

6. Drape the chain to decorate a room or connect the ends to create wearable art. The chain can be glued to other items, such as a picture frame or mirror frame. Multiple chains can be connected to create baskets.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your fingernail to make sharp creases in the paper. A similar chain can be made from candy wrappers, as long as the resulting strips are roughly the same rectangular shape as half a gum wrapper.

References

• Guinness World Record Gum Wrapper Chain
• National Chewing Gum Manufacturers Association

Resources

• Buy gum or candy in bulk at the CandyLand Store

[goldiec]

on 10/21/2009 Thanks for the great tips on How to Make Crafts from gum candy wrappers. 5*