Make a Louboutin Inspired Bracelet

As a green DIYer and crafter, I sometimes use products that may contain not so eco friendly ingredients. Generally, it is only one small component and I am fine with it because it contributes to the greater good of remaking the object into something clever, useful, or beautiful and saving it from the landfill. However, I am always on the lookout for an eco friendly equivalent that works just as well or better.

When I find a craft supply that promises me eco friendly ingredients AND is no odor AND eco-friendly AND water based AND low VOC I get excited. I racked my brain for an excuse to try them gift idea that lets me use the Delta Soy Stain and Soy Craft Paint I saw for sale on Scribbleshop AND makes a few Christmas gifts early.  

I am not using red for this demo because I don't want to be sued for trademark infringement.

Bangle bracelets are in style and I like the red soles on Christian Louboutin shoes. I don't see a pair of sexy designer shoes with red soles in my future because stilettos make bad safety shoes (although they may allow me to reach high shelves in my workshop without a step ladder.) I decided to use the red colored sole as inspiration for my bracelet instead.

DIY Christian Louboutin Painted Bracelets

You will need:

Wood bangle bracelet

180 grit sandpaper

Delta Soy Wood Stain - Cherry

Delta Soy craft paint 

Stir stick (I use an old bamboo chopstick)

Paint brushes (one for stain and one for paint please)

Rag

Optional: Wood wax or spray polyurethane

Make it.

1. Lightly sand the wood bangle bracelet with the 180 grit sandpaper so the stain will adhere evenly to the bracelet.

2. Wipe the sawdust from the bracelet when you are finished sanding.

3. Stir the non toxic soy wood stain with the stir stick.

 Tip: The soy stain separated almost immediately after I stirred it and dipped my applicator into the jar. If I didn’t stir the stain before each application, the stain was unclear and uneven and looks like this.

This is what happened in between applications. Give the soy stain a quick stir every time before you dip your brush in it and you'll be fine.

4. Apply one coat of soy stain to the outside of the wood bracelet using either a paintbrush or a rag.  Don’t worry if the stain drips off the bracelet. You will take care of that in Step 5.

Just in case you didn't follow my warning in Step 3. This is what the separated stain looks like when applied it on the first bracelet. This may or may not be the look you are going for.

5. Allow the stain to seep into the wood and bit and then wipe the excess stain from the outside of the bracelet with the rag and let the stain to dry. This is what my bracelet looks like with one coat of stain and after stirring the stain before each application.

On this bracelet I stirred the soy stain before I dipped my brush into it for every application. This is one coat of Cherry nontoxic wood stain.

 6. Apply as many coats of stain as you need to get the color and coverage that is pleasing to you. Allow the wood stain to dry thoroughly between coats. I applied three coats of stain.

7. Paint the inside of the bracelet with the nontoxic craft paint and a paint brush. Allow the paint to thoroughly dry.

I used two coats of soy craft paint per bracelet.

8. Optional: For a shiny finish buff the outside of the bracelet with a rag and paste wax (it’s eco too!) or cover with a coat the bracelet with a thin coat of polyurethane.

9. Wear your wood bracelet or wrap it up and give it to a friend!

Do you want to try it for yourself and at a discount? The lovely ladies of Scribbleshop asked me if I wanted to give you the chance to shop Scribbleshop.com and get 15% off your subtotal when you use the discount code CONDOBLU15 on whatever your little heart desires. I'm always looking for opportunities to thank you for reading Condo Blues and said yes! The coupon expires October 31, 2012. This is the perfect time to buy your holiday craft and gift supplies early and at a discount!

Did you enjoy this post? Get more like it by subscribing to the Condo Blues RSS Feed or to Condo Blues by Email.

Disclosure: Scribbleshop provided me with products for this review. This did not influence my opinion and all opinions are 100% my own.