DIY Life

Continuing to recraft finds from the game closet (last week was Monopoly wine charms) here is another easy project that uses old dominoes to make a bracelet.

A single domino could be used as a pendant on a necklace as a gift for someone with a favorite number or a birthday present by using the numbers to represent their age. Wooden dominoes like the ones that I used would also make great coasters by gluing them together (like the Scrabble tile coasters).

After the jump is the list of supplies and suggestions for making a few of your own domino bracelets.

You will need:

• Dominoes
• Small diameter elastic cord
• Drill or rotary tool and small bit
  
• Scissors
• Beads

Most modern domino sets that I have seen are made out of plastic but I was able to find an older set made of wood at the thrift store for fifty cents. This would work equally as well with plastic dominoes.

Drilling through the side of the pieces is the most tricky part of the project. I don't have a drill press but that would be the best way to be certain that your holes are made parallel to the face. Making a jig to position the domino would be wise so that each hole is drilled in line with the next. Since my workshop is a bit less advanced, I just put a fairly small bit (but large enough to push the elastic cord through) in my rotary tool and clamped the domino to my workbench. A bench top vice would also help keep your flesh from that spinning blade.

It took me a bit of trial and error to figure out how many dominoes would be necessary to go around my girlfriend's wrist. We found that beads helped with the spacing and appearance and seven dominoes was most comfortable for her. Finish the project off with a few knots pulled tight and trim the elastic cord. Even the smallest set should have enough for three bracelets. With a little thought each domino could have some meaning such as birthdays, anniversaries, or any numbers of special significance to the wearer.