I love these elastic hairbands (or hair ties)…..and with an etched glass recycled jar they make a cute, practical gift too!
On my last trip to L.A., I bought a bunch of foldover elastic (FOE) by the yard (I’ve seen rainbow lots of FOE on ebay if you are looking for a source):
To make an elastic hair tie just cut a strip about 7 inches long, fold it in half and then tie a knot at the bottom. Clip off the end at an angle to make it neat and pretty:
A large assortment of colors is what makes it such a great gift…who wouldn’t want to receive these as a present? I love using these in Boo’s hair because they don’t break and they don’t tangle either:
To make the glass container I used my Silhouette machine to cut a quick stencil out of vinyl shelf paper (available in a large roll at any home improvement store) and applied Armour Etch according to the directions:
The finished etching:
With all the colorful hair ties it looks like a jar of candy:
I cut a larger band for the top and added a cardstock tag to complete the gift. This one was for my sweet sister-in-law Carolyn:
A jar o’ headbands!
This post is featured on Babble’sĀ The New Home Ec.
Here’s another tutorial on tie dyeing elastic accessories if you like funky!
Chrystal says
I love these! I wonder how well they’d stay in stick straight thin hair š
Clover says
these r great. I just bought one to see how they work and they stay put and are soft. I bought some more elastic to make for gifts too!
Amy says
I really really love these hair ties. Clover, if you don’t mind me asking, I don’t know where I get them? Is there a store? I got mine from a friend, but I ended up snapping them/ losing them. š
Kristi says
Wherendidnyou buy the elastic from to make this? What kind of elastic do you use?
Julie says
@Kristi…you use Fold over elastic which you can get 10 yards of for only $3 at etsy.com 10 yards will end up making a TON of hair ties.
I’ve checked other places but I think etsy has the best deals š
Hope this helps š
Allyson @ All Our Days says
I found the elastic in the ribbon section at Michael’s craft store. If you just want to try it out you can use a 40% or 50% coupon to get a good deal.
Nancy says
Ashley, What a wonderful Idea!! I have to make one now for my Granddaughter, just love it! Thanks for Sharing~
Huggs, Nancy
Hollie says
I am in LOVE with wearing these as wristbands/bracelets/whatever you wanna call them. I paid THREE DOLLARS each for them at a little boutique, but I think I might make a ton for girls at Christmas time. Thanks for the post š
Jamie says
Great gift idea! And thanks for reminding me to use contact paper for this type of project. I have done a few etchings and have used the regular vinyl. Duh.
And you’re right, the rainbow of colors is awesome!
Jamie
Sheila says
I bought some FOE and 7″ knoted will not work as a headband maybe a ponytail tie or a bracelet. I have a headband for a baby ,that is made of this same FOE and it measures14 ”. Love the idea and I ran out and bought 10 colors and plan on doing it for Xmas presents.
Christina Crabtree says
Sheila – I think she is meaning ponytail holders. Seems like everyone calls them something different! : ) I’m not sure if you were saying you were going to do a jar of headbands of ponytail holders but I love the jar of headbands idea!!! Nice twist on her idea. I have a BUNCH of friends with baby girls and how cute of a Christmas present that would be!!
Keshet says
Hi Ashley!
I found your website while doing a search for tie dying the foe bands. I was so happy to find you. I’ve been doing all this research on what to use as far as the Dharma dyes with the foe matieral. Do you know what the foe material is that you used. the Dharma dyes say they only work with cotton. I’m confused and just looking for help!
Thanks so much! Love your site š Take a look at my new biz if you have a chance… http://www.keshetlavoux.com
Kindly,
Keshet
Stephanie says
I’m finally getting around to playing with some FOE I bought, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with heat sealing the ends? (Or would I be better off using fray-check?) I’ve worked with ribbon with decent results, but never with elastic.
TIA!
Joy says
I have done them and you do need to seal the ends. I use a wood burner to seal the ends.
amy says
where did you get your FOE? i looked at target trims online but they only had prints.
Tia says
Amy,
We don’t have any stores anywhere near us that sell it, so I just bought a bunch from Etsy.com-Just Felt Supplies: http://www.etsy.com/shop/JustFeltSupplies?section_id=10928733
There is a very good selection of colors, and the prices are very reasonable.
Tawona says
You can find it at Michael’s , and JoAnn fabrics.
Anna Schmidt says
Thanks for the idea š Where can you get jars like that….I think they look really cute but I haven’t been able to find jars that seem like they would work to well….it would be a huge help if someone can suggest a place to buy them at š Thanks so much!
Joanie G says
What size is this jar? It looks like a pretty common 12oz. jar (like a jelly jar) but I wanted to double check before I act. Thanks!
Julie says
I was wondering that too…I think that it is an 8 oz jar but I could be wrong
Ashley Hackshaw says
It’s a typical jelly jar….I think this one was a jar of roasted red peppers….any size jar will work as long as you just fill it with hairbands!