Big news! The Starburst Wrapper Bracelet Tutorial is now available as an Amazon e-book!
It’s only $2.99 and with the e-book version, you can take this handy step-by-step guide wherever you’re going to be folding! For an excellent crafty gift, give the e-book along with a pack of Starburst. The purchased book can be read on the iPad, Kindle, e-reader, or your computer screen so it’s portable and versatile.
Thanks for your support of Fluffyland Craft & Sewing Blog, and enjoy crafting!
Have you been wondering how to make the amazing bracelets from Starburst wrappers? A simple folding method, plus some finishing tips, will help you make your very own Starburst bracelet. It looks like a lot of steps, but after you’ve made a few links you’ll have the folding method memorized. The average bracelet takes 30-36 Starburst wrappers, so save up! Ask friends to unwrap carefully and “donate”, and to avoid candy binges and sugar highs, unwrap all your Starbursts and save them in a ziploc bag for later. You can save money by buying Starbursts in bulk from Amazon.
If you’re clever, you can make this bracelet from any rectangular wrapper: dum dum wrappers, tootsie roll wrappers, most gum wrappers, now and laters… be creative, there are lots of options!
Keep in mind that when you have finished, you need the bracelet to be big enough to slide on and off your wrist without too much trouble. Because of the folding method, the bracelet will stretch slightly, so this shouldn’t be much of a problem.., but be careful. This is the only tutorial that contains the ending method that blends in with the rest of the bracelet; it’s very tricky but entirely feasible.
Click on any of the photos for a larger view.
Step 1
Take your first wrapper… and flip it over.
I know, it’s tricky.
Step 2
Fold (hot dog) one side in to the halfway point.
Step 3
Fold (hot dog) the other side to the halfway point.
Step 4
Next, fold (hot dog) the whole thing in half so the raw edges you just folded are on the inside crease.
Step 5
Fold (hot dog) in half again.
Step 6
Fold (hamburger) in half.
Step 7
Fold (hamburger) one side to the halfway point.
Step 8
Fold (hamburger) the other side to the halfway point. Steps 1-8 give 1 completed link.
Repeat steps 1-8 with the next wrapper.
Step 9
Insert points 1 and 2 into slots A and B, so it looks like this:
Step 11
Continue making links (steps 1-8) and adding them on (steps 9 & 10)…
Step 12
… until you begin to build up a chain.
Step 13
Once you have reached the desired length… this is where it gets tricky.
Step 14
Make one more link the same way as the others (steps 1-8), but then unfold the last two folds. Insert these raw edges into the same spots in the “V”.
Step 15
Pull the two ends of the bracelet close together, and hold the edges of your long “V” over both edges of the end of the other side.
Step 16
Insert the raw edges into the first wrapper. You’re doing the same thing we’ve been doing, but backwards. That’s the easiest way to think about it. It’s hard to photograph and explain, but if you’re making it look like all the other links, you’re doing it right.
Step 17
Pull ends through until you reach the original folded point, and tuck the raw edges into the previous wrapper, so it looks just like the other wrappers in the chain.
tip! At this point, I find it helpful to use a paperclip or similar item to push the wrappers through. This is the trickiest part, and will require a bit of fiddling.
And you’re done! Congratulations!
I’d love to see pictures or hear about your bracelet-making adventures! Leave a comment below or send me a picture of your new bracelet!
I love these things! A girl at my school is making a bunch and selling them for $3 each and all the money is going to a kid in her hometown who’s trying to raise $1,000,000 to put towards research for muscular distrophy. I bought three =) Good luck, Alex Amble!
WOW that is really wonderful! What a great idea!
THis brought back memories! My sisters and I used to make long chains like this using gum wrappers in the car while traveling with Mom and Dad. Love the application for the bracelet. Nice tutorial!
Well I tryed to make got to the end and i cant do the last bit its really frustrating and i dont understand the instructions but i did like how mine looked but its just a long strip as i cant do the last bit
where can u buy the starburtst wrappers in packets (100 each)
Hi Shoshana,
I found some on Amazon here:
Starburst-Original Fruit Chews, 36 packs
omg thank you soo much this helped A LOT!! I’m not making a braclet like u but im making a candy wrapper purse using your folding methods. Once again THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!
This was great! I just finished mine. A little sad tho. The midnight starburst runs are over.
thank you it was helpful now my friend and i could make them and sell them at school
anyone nows how to make a purse out of candy wrapper please reply.thanks to anyone who replys
Upcycling? Please! It’s still called REcycling when it’s garbage. I made a chain over 6 foot long back in 1968 from wrappers I picked up on my 10 block walk to and from school. In a miniskirt and knee-high boots. Now GET OFF MY LAWN!!
so did I, stop crabbing and do it again – just for the fun of it!
My cousin’s cousin made a tie out of Starburst wrappers. It is really nice, but took him his entire senior year of high school.
this is very cool but for some reason im having problems connecting i am still on step 11
Can you use dum dum wrappers? But there not the same size……
As long as the wrappers have the same length-to-width ratio, it should work… the bracelet will just end up smaller or bigger.
i just made one and i looks awesome!!!!!!!!!!
um on average how many wrappers do i need to fit it on my wrist?
Hi, my cousin taught me how to make these about four years ago, and i still impress my friends when i ask them for their wrappers at the movies. This weekend i spent $8.50 on Starburst and made three bracelets that all of my friends are already fighting over. They are so cool! Ive always used staples and put the smooth said against skin, but they never really worked. i finally gave up and Google it. thank goodness! that connecting way makes so much more sense.
i can NOT get the last part -_- i know how to do everything, but i want to make a thicker one, but i don’t know how do the last part to start the second chain. someone help! please?
I have heard people use velco for closure. Can you explain how?
fondly, Nancy
Love your starburst bracelet. It’s a nice simple project to get anyone started. I made my grandaughter one a few years ago and she loved it. I have just started my own blog on Paper Folding which may be of interested to you.
http://johns-paperfolding.blogspot.com
As time permits I will be adding more content to it.
John
These were popular when I was a teenager (MANY years ago), but I think I used Life Savers gum wrappers then…
Amazing!!! Just started teaching kids about upcycling. This is deffo what they should see!!!
These bracelets taste sooooo good! I like them alot!
this really helps!
Hi, I’m a website designer and I’m creating a new website on ways people can be friendly to the enviroment. I came across this article and thought it was amazing – making a bracelet out of starburst wrappers! Who knew? Anyway, with your permission, I’d like to suggest this on my website – the credit would go to you, of course.
Please respond soon!
Hi Jen,
Yes, you have permission to link to my tutorial! You can use a few pictures, as well, as long as you provide a link back. I’d be honored to get a mention on your new site! Let me know when it’s up.
thanks,
sam
Why not just staple the ends it helps and its easier.
Hi! These are soo cool and eco friendly. If you put a piece of tape on the middle part then fold where the tape ends, don’t know if that makes sense? but the color won’t fade and it’ll be more waterproof![[:
I used clear nail polish and it really worked!
thanks for making this i went on youtube and couldnt find anything that could help me but this really helped me now i have 20 starburst bracelet THANKS!!!!
So funny, we used to make these out of bubble gum wrappers – back in the day. (90s).
these are really hard to make can you make a video so i can see it better
um… This is VERY simple
yo sam! you forgot to mention you have to cut the wrappers if you are using dum dums! mine came out neat!
Looks just great :)
Cheers
Palle
http://københavnskerestauranter.dk/
i agree with jamie
my friend an makes these all the time how rad are they
i taught some girls in school and this was our little hobby WAS because school just ended SHOUT OUT to Nanci Elissa and Edna don’t forget Barbara who tried
OMG!!! LOVE these bracelets. all my friends want me to make one for them!!!haha
We made these chains out of gum wrappers (like wrigleys) when I was young. My cousin Martha was all the time trying to show me how. Does this tell how old I am.lol Still a very cute idea. Love it.
I made these in the 60’s Back then we used Wriglys Juicy Fruit, Spearment, and Doublement Gum Wrappers
Wow! THanks dude- sooooo amazing and fun!!! teehee, sugarush!!!!! :D
gahh . its soo stressfull . i had to staple it . -__-
this is so cool! i am making one rite now! i was going to make a belt but decided this was easier! i am going to send one to vinny(ICONic Boyz) he loves starbursts!!!!
I made a chain out of gum wrappers back in the 60’s! I was about 90 feet long! What fun to see this art again and with more colorful wrappers! Can’t wait to show my grandkids how to do them! :)
Wow have a good ideas and recycle not much more on design but good thanks for it.
oh my god! i just finished making mine! having a little trouble closing it but it looks really cool! thank you so much! this helped a lot! (:
It’s hard
Hello!
I first found this link on a polyvore web page because some girl made her own and was showing us how though I used the link she provided. I just started making mine and it is soooooo fiddly, do you have any tips to make the paper sliding into each other more easy?
I can’t wait to finish this bracelet!!
I wore my bracelet to gymnastics practice and all my friends saw it and want me to make one for them. So I have to make like 20 bracelets, but I told them they have to provide the wrappers. This tutorial REALLY helped me out. Thanks so much!!!!
Hi! I really LUVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV these braclets!! They’re really easy to make, but hard in the beginning… I still luv them though!!
deffenitly going to try this while im bored at work tomorrow. my friend has been looking for a tutorial like this for a few weeks now so we can try it. thanks
tammy
thanks so much! this has to be one of the best tutorials i’ve found. I’ve been hoardinmg my starburst wrappers for a couple months, but now, I have a lovely bracelet!
I’ve been looking for an idea for a bracelet for my little girl who is much too young to have a real charm bracelet.