Friends 4Ever Friendship Bracelet Kit by Alex Toys

Published July 6, 2010 |

When I was in high school, friendship bracelets were all the rage. I can remember sitting in class, with a safety pin pinned on my jeans, a knot of embroidery thread attached to the pin, and me making these bracelets through out the day. The type of bracelets I made were more like macrame than weaving though. So mine always came out with the same pattern, diagonal stripes. Only the colors were different. But I still made them constantly. I think I wore 2 or three all the time and gave them to all my friends. I wore them until they basically rotted off from all the showers… cuz of course I never took them off. LOL!

Growing Tree Toys is a great store with lots of various educational toys for kids of all ages. So when Growing Tree Toys gave me the opportunity to play with there Alex Toys Friends 4 Ever friendship bracelet kit, I was THRILLED! I loved making the striped bracelets but I always wanted to make the different patterns. I figured this would be a great way to learn how to make the various patterns.

The kit comes with :

22 colors of floss, including silver & gold metallic
4 foam weaving looms – 2 round & 2 square (each side with a different pattern layout)
2 containers of beads
beading needle
instructions
Great carrying case with handle!

The instructions are very easy to follow. Basically measure out the length of the strings that you want in the colors you like, tie a knot, and start weaving them through with the foam boards. The boards are all notched, so you just have to bring the string from one notch to the next to make the pattern. The only thing about the instructions is that the side strings that you need to help with the weaving weren’t long enough for the bracelet.

Because I didn’t have the time that I had when I was a teenager, finishing the bracelet took me a while. I actually had to work at my regular job, cook, take care of my family… you know, take care of my responsibilities! It’s like I”m a grown up or something! LOL! But I did get the bracelet done, and really the most difficult part of the whole project was keeping the threads from tangling while I was weaving. Other than that it was really easy to do! It was also a lot of fun. This is how my bracelet turned out.

Ok, so it doesn’t look as neat or polished as the ones on the package. But it was just my first try. I had a little trouble keeping the width of the bracelet consistent, but I think that’s more a matter of practice than anything else. If it turned out a little better, I’d probably wear it, because I still like these cute bracelets. So though it’s my first try, it won’t be my last!

I highly recommend this bracelet kit to kids, ages 8+. It might be a little difficult for younger kids because of the hand coordination that it takes to do the weaving, and the patience it takes to complete one of the bracelets. I think that teen girls will REALLY love this, mostly because I know I would have as a teen! Probably would be a perfect present for a girl who loves crafting!

Product Description:

From Website
The Friends 4 Ever Bracelet Kit from Alex Toys allows kids to show the world that they are so important to each other that they share and wear their imaginative bracelet masterpieces everywhere they go! A super-stocked craft kit for best friends, the Friends 4 Ever Bracelet Kit includes 4 color-coded foam looms, which allow kids to make 2 distinct bracelet styles in 8 funky patterns; 22 colors of floss; funky beads for adding special accents; and a beading needle, making it easy for kids to create unique friendship bracelets in no time. Plus, this fabulous Friends 4 Ever Bracelet Kit is the friendship kit that features a convenient, take-me-anywhere storage suitcase with handle for on-the-go fun that friends will love. The newest and trendiest way to make bracelets, the Friends 4 Ever Bracelet Kit from Alex Toys is the ultimate jewelry kit for kids that have already decided that they are “BFF’s!” Instructions included.

Features

Bracelet kit in a great suitcase that includes 4 color-coded looms, 22 colors of floss, beads, and beading needle
Make 2 bracelet styles in 8 patterns
Instructions included