Summer is upon us, and that means bugs are upon us too. If you want to spend some quality time outdoors, you need to find a way to keep the pesky insects away. These two DIY bug repelling bracelets help to keep pests away, but are still super cute to wear! They are a great natural option for bug repellent for kids too.
DIY BUG REPELLING BRACELETS
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE CITRONELLA BRACELETS
Today I am sharing two easy ways to make bracelets that will help to keep bugs at bay. For the first bracelet, you will need a few basic polymer clay supplies. There is a little bit of initial investment, but you will use so little clay that you will have plenty left over for other fun projects!
The second bracelet is easy and cheap to make. If you have ever made a camp or friendship bracelet from embroidery thread, you are well on your way to making this simple bracelet.
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- Polymer clay
- Bead making kit
- Jewelry wire
- Crimp beads
- Jewelry pliers
- Jewelry clasp
- Embroidery thread
- Mason jar
- Rubbing alcohol
- Citronella oil
- Peppermint oil
- Eucalyptus oil
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HOW TO MAKE NATURAL BUG REPELLANT BRACELETS
Watch this short video for the instructions for two different bug repellent bracelets. I have included the step-by-step instructions for the clay citronella bracelet, but the embroidery thread bracelet is easier to make if you watch the video.
You can make your own polymer clay beads and soak them in a mixture of bug-repelling oils. The clay will absorb the oils to help keep bugs away.
Clay Citronella Bracelet
- Kneed polymer clay until it is pliable. Mix colors together, if desired.
- Roll the clay out to an even thickness.
- Use a small circle cutter to cut uniform circles of clay.
- Roll each circle of clay into a small ball.
- Pierce the ball of clay with a bead-making tool to create the hole in the bead.
- Set each bead on a soft baking mat, and bake according to the directions on your package of clay.
- Cut a length of beading wire a few inches longer than the circumference of your wrist.
- Add a crimp bead and one clay bead to one end of the wire.
- Thread the wire back through the crimp bead and use jewelry pliers to crimp the crimp bead.
Test the wire to make sure it is securely in place.
- Thread the clay beads onto the wire.
- Secure the other end of the wire with another crimp and clay bead loop.
- Add a jewelry clasp to the ends of the bracelet.
- In a small jar or dish, mix 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 tsp each of citronella oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil.
- Place your bracelet into the liquid and let it soak for a few hours.
- Remove the bracelet and let it dry overnight.
The embroidery floss bracelet is an even easier way to make a bug repellent bracelet. If you have grade school-aged kids, they could make this version themselves.
The bracelets will need to be re-soaked in the essential oil mixture after a few uses. If you make the mixture in a mason jar, you can reuse the same liquid all throughout the summer.
You might like these other jewelry DIYs:
