Spirited Star Bead Bracelet

Fourth of July is coming up and nothing shows your American spirit like wearing it right on your wrist! This Spirited Star Bead Bracelet is the perfect accessory to wear to attend a backyard BBQ or to watch the fireworks. Impress your friends and make your own beads by following these simple origami instructions. This patriotic craft is so simple and easy, you may want to make a necklace and an anklet to go with your bracelet. You’ll have an entire collection of star bead jewelry in no time.  

Materials:

• Bracelet string
   
• Beads
   
• Patriotic themed paper
   
• Needle

Instructions:

1. Cut paper strips 1/4 inch wide and 10 inches long with a trimmer.
    
2. Start by tying a know at one end of the paper strip. Pull slowly and carefully. Gradually flatten the shape until you have a perfect little pentagon.
   
   
    
3. Valley fold the short tail end over and tuck in or trim.
    
4. For the longer tail, also valley fold the strip over and around the pentagon shape. Repeat until the end and tuck in the excess.
    
5. To puff up the star, hold it with your thumbs and index fingers. Then with one of your thumbnails push in the side. Repeat this with each side of the star to puff it up.
   
   
    
6. Once 10+ stars are made, use a large needle to string together the stars and beads using stretchy beading elastic.
   
   Note: Use a thumbtack to make the holes.
    
7. Tie the ends once you have the desired length and itís ready to wear.
   
   Tip: For larger stars, increase to 1/2 inch by 12 inches