About

Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
20 mins

Hot Fresh Tute and Pix 4 Days.
Eleven jump rings - $1.00
One lobster claw clasp - $2.00
Knowing you'll never spend money on your maxed out credit cards again - Priceless.

I can't believe I found creative inspiration from the recession, the credit crunch for you royal subjects, but I did and here's the result. The Credit Crunch Bracelet is a great way to take your credit cards out of rotation, at least for a while.

It's a perfect project for creating a great conversation piece out of old credit cards and perhaps impress the financial goddess that is Suze Orman.

Sure, there are a few things that I already had to finish this project. Namely the disc cutter. I used the largest hole to make the punches, but you can mix it up and add different sizes through out your own bracelet.

And of course I have had way too many credit cards, as well. I only used two cards (for a total of 10 discs), but someone might make a necklace version and use several more. You might also want to use several cards for a variety of designs and patterns.

Here's the disc cutter. (It obviously works on plastic, but also thin metals, I'm tackling aluminum cans next)

(yes it's rusty, but like wrinkles, rust just means it's had an interesting life.)

You could also just use a pair of sharp industrial scissors and cut out of your shapes?

There are a couple different disc cutters out there, but I got my disc cutter here:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V9B36O?ie=UTF8&tag=macaroglitte-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001V9B36O

I also had hole punches

(I have two versions, but I like the hand held one (blue) because you can see what you are punching)

Posted by Steven James from San Francisco, California, United States • Published See Steven James's 17 projects »
PrintEmbed
  • How to make a recycled bracelet. Credit Crunch Bracelet - Step 1
    Step 1

    First, punch or cut your pieces. It's best to work on a hard surfaces, like a cement floor.

    If you are hand cutting your cards a) be careful and b) trace your design first.

  • How to make a recycled bracelet. Credit Crunch Bracelet - Step 2
    Step 2

    If you are using a disc cutter, stick the card between the slit and place the punch peg in the hole. Next, hammer the punch peg to make the disc. Think happy thoughts like - NO MORE FINANCE CHARGES FROM YOU!

    Make sure it's a firm strike, don't be weak about it, you want clean sides to your punched piece.

    Here it is...(take that Visa you evil bastard)

    Continue until you have enough discs (don't forget matching earrings - )

  • How to make a recycled bracelet. Credit Crunch Bracelet - Step 3
    Step 3

    Now punch your holes. You saw the hand held version first, here's the second technique.

  • How to make a recycled bracelet. Credit Crunch Bracelet - Step 4
    Step 4

    Open your jump rings and begin to make the attachments, if the rings are thin enough you can use your fingers or grab a pair of pliers. Create the connections between each disc.

  • How to make a recycled bracelet. Credit Crunch Bracelet - Step 5
    Step 5

    Use another pair of pliers to finish the connection.

  • How to make a recycled bracelet. Credit Crunch Bracelet - Step 6
    Step 6

    My father always said credit cards were evil, but I think this bracelet looks rather nice don't you?

Versions

Comments

Janie R.
Janie R. · Eastern, Kentucky, US · 25 projects
I have been saving my old cards for this! I saw someone who just cut them into pieces for a charm bracelet-this looks easier on my hands, lol. Thanks for showing it!
Reply
ficklephonebug ..
ficklephonebug .. · 60 projects
Very Clever, who wouldn't love this!!
Reply
Soundsargent
Soundsargent · Weldon, Saskatchewan, CA · 2 projects
This is perfect for all my old Itunes cards! Thanks!
Reply
Janice C.
Janice C. · Singapore, SG · 1 project
this is so cool! it has kind of a retro look as well, which i like Happy i don't have those kind of punches though... any alternatives?
Call me Buddy
Call me Buddy · 15 projects
Janice,you could just use a drill with a small bit!
Reply
liss601
liss601 · 1 project
thats cool as junk man!! love it!!!
Reply
Dee S.
Dee S. · London, GB · 41 projects
Gorgeous, I may try it with the loads of bottle caps I have stashed away.

Thanks for sharing
Reply
Crystal C.
Crystal C. · Huntsville, Alabama, US · 3 projects
i love it! i use old credit cards(and the fake ones that come with the credit card offers in the mail) to make guitar picks for my musician hubby! he loves them! Happy
Reply
Manga Lover
Manga Lover
love this bracelet, it is awesome!!!
Reply
Michelle W.
Michelle W.
awesome!
Reply
Jean
Jean · Stafford, Virginia, US · 24 projects
this is just freaking awesome!!! now i know what i can do with my capital one cards. Happy (well, you can change the picture once a month)
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