How to Make Recycled Water Bottle Beads with a Torch

This article, DIY Recycled Water Bottle Beads, is sponsored by Bernzomatic. All opinions are 100% my own.

Recycled crafts, like my DIY DVD and CD mosaic tray and DIY milk jug flowers, are my favorite crafts to do. After all, my passion for repurposing is the reason I started this blog ten years ago. Today I want to share a fun handmade gift idea for the holidays. Be forewarned, this craft is addicting! You will want to make these bracelets for all your friends. Here is how to make recycled water bottle bead bracelets.

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Watch the full tutorial video. Keep scrolling to find the materials list and written instructions.

Here’s What You Need

Time: 1 hour

Materials:

Bernzomatic ST2200
Bernzomatic Butane
Water Bottles with Smooth Surface
Scissors
Needle Nose Pliers
Cookie Sheet
Beads
Elastic

Instructions:

Preparing Your Torch

The Bernzomatic ST2200 is a 3-in-1 torch. You can use 1) the torch itself, 2) the torch with a hot blower extension, and 3) the torch with the hot blower extension and the fine tip point. For this craft, you will use #2, the torch with the hot blower extension. Simply attach the extension and screw it in to tighten it.

Note: The hot blower extension is ideal for this craft because the plastic will not burn, like it would with an open flame.

Next, fill your ST2200 with Bernzomatic Butane. To do this, turn your torch upside down. Insert the butane tip into the torch and lightly press down. You will hear the butane fill up the torch. You know it is full when you hear a spitting sound. It takes about 10 seconds to fill.

Cutting the Water Bottle

Use scissors to cut an empty water bottle. Cut off the rounded end with the hole first. Next, cut down the side of the water bottle. Then, cut around the bottom. You will end up with a rectangle.

Cutting lengthwise, cut the rectangle into long narrow strips. Note that the widest part of your strip will be the length of the bead. The size is up to you, it does not have to be perfect.

If you are making beads like the one in this post, one 16 oz. water bottle will make approximately twenty beads.

Making the Recycled Beads

Use your needle nose pliers to hold the widest part of the triangle and wrap the triangle around the pliers to create the bead. Pinch the bead and move the pliers so that the narrow tip of the triangle is secured closed by the pliers. This will take some practice.

Ignite your Bernzomatic ST2200 and put it in continuous mode. Melt the plastic. You will see the bead melt together. Melting the plastic into a bead will take about 30 seconds. Lastly, lay the hot bead on your cookie sheet. It will be cool to touch in a few seconds.

Assembling the Bracelets

For the bracelets shown, I used a combination of glass, rubber, and wood beads. String them on elastic. I used approximately 18 beads per bracelet. Tie the elastic into a knot.

You can make these bracelets in a variety of patterns and colors. It is important to note that the color on the water bottle will show on the bead.

DIY Recycled Water Bottle Beads

How to Make Recycled Water Bottle Beads with a Torch

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