A major limiting factor when coming up with a project idea was finding material that I had on hand, as I tend to throw away most unnecessary/unused things. In addition to this, I had never done any DIY projects before where I used recycled materials, so my brain had a hard time even visualizing something that I could make let alone something that fit an aesthetic. In order to gain some inspiration, I spent some time searching for DIY projects that others have done that fit the punk aesthetic. There were plenty of examples, but I quickly ran into another problem. Even though I love, grew up with, and still identify with punk culture, the way I choose to express myself nowadays is far removed from the punk aesthetic. With this in mind, almost every example project I came across was a little too “loud” for my tastes, and although I could just pick anything to make for the sake of this project, I wanted to be able to create something that I might actually use after the class is over. After a bit more searching, I came across a video of someone making a bracelet out of soda can tabs. Despite this kind of craft having been around for many years, this was the first I had ever seen of it. The final product reminded me of the studded belts I used to wear in high school, which spurred me to brainstorm something I could make using soda can tabs.

I did not want to make a bracelet for two reasons. First, there were already plenty of examples and instructions on how to make them, and I wanted to make something that fewer people have made. Second, I don’t wear bracelets very often. While looking around my apartment hoping for inspiration to strike, my eyes quickly focused on one of my extra, unused guitar straps. I had already been thinking about buying a flashier looking guitar strap, so this was the perfect opportunity to make one out of soda can tabs for my upcycle project. I ran around grabbing some tabs off of empty cans that were waiting to be put in the recycling and began working out some of the preliminary details. I came up with a pattern that could be used as a single “link” in the strap and put it together using the string from an old drawstring bag that I haven’t used in years.
The plan is to replicate this pattern for the full length of a guitar strap. Unlike a normal guitar strap, the one I make will not be adjustable, so I will model the length after one of my guitar straps that is already adjusted to fit me. I need the finished strap to have a length somewhere between 39” and 42”. The single “link” I made comes out at around 1.25” long and is made of 8 tabs, so I will need between 248 and 272 tabs. Other materials I will need include some sort of black string/ribbon, attaching hardware for the ends of the strap so I can actually use it, maybe some clear paint/spray to coat the tabs with so they are less sharp and are protected, and some sort of buffer to put on the part of the strap that will go over my shoulder. I have some clear spray paint on hand that I can use as a coating and an old black shirt I can use as fabric for a buffer.
I also plan to use one of my old guitar straps for parts. I am currently unsure if I want to use the old strap as a base (i.e. the soda can tabs are just a decoration that attaches to the guitar strap) or if I want to cut off the attaching hardware from my old guitar strap and find a way to affix it to the ends of the soda can tabs (in this case the soda can tabs will need to support the full weight of the guitar. This is something I will decide on as I work on the project..
Unfortunately, although I have some soda can tabs on hand, I fall a little short of the 248-272 that I need, so I will have to purchase them (you can get them for around 1 cent per tab). Also, the string I have on hand is not long enough, so I will need to source some black string/ribbon as well.
Cited Sources:
- Soda Can Tab Guitar Strap Image
- Taken members of Escama Studio and posted to the Escama Blog
- https://www.escamastudio.com/blogs/news/7625269-pop-top-guitar-strap
- Taken members of Escama Studio and posted to the Escama Blog
- Soda Can Tab Bracelet Image
- Taken and posted by “Team Ideas24” on Ideas2Live4
- https://craft.ideas2live4.com/2015/03/23/soda-pop-tab-bracelet/
- Taken and posted by “Team Ideas24” on Ideas2Live4
- Studded Belt Image
- Product Image taken by Leatherpunk
- https://www.leatherpunk.com/products/pyramid-studded-belt
- Product Image taken by Leatherpunk
2 Comments. Leave new
Hi Nick,
I am super excited to see how this turns out! I like how you put a lot of thought into making something that you will actually use, and in an aesthetic you appreciate. Those soda tab bracelets are so nostalgic! I’m glad you are able to use upcycled materials for all aspects of the project as well. Are you worried about the tabs being sharp/ irritating your neck on the guitar strap? I wonder how heavy this will end up being as well. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Good luck!
I think that this is a very interesting project and a great use for old music equipment (I wish it was as easy to make a project with my broken drumsticks as it was a guitar strap). Does the thickness of the string matter? I imagine if it is too thick then the strap might not bend properly.