Denim Rings from Faded Blue Jeans

Before you throw those old denims in the rag bag, consider using them to create some jewelry.

Denim Rings from Faded Blue Jeans

Age: Upper elementary and middle
Time: 10-15 minutes
Type of Activity: Art

Materials needed:

Jeans that nobody wears
Scissors
Needle and thread (or glue if you prefer)
Paints

Procedure

Cut the belt loops off the old jeans. Try wrapping a loop around a finger. Too big? Cut it a little smaller. Too small? Cut another loop. Next, sew the ends of the loop (or loops) together to create a ring just right for a finger -- or a thumb. If sewing isn't your cup of tea, squeeze out some glue instead. Voila, a one-of-a-kind denim ring to decorate with paint, or leave in its natural blue jean state.

Facts

Blue jeans were invented in the year 1873 -- now that's a long, long time ago. Lynn Downey, a Levi-Strauss and Co. historian, tells us, "It was two visionary immigrants -- Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis -- who turned denim, thread, and a little metal into the most popular clothes on earth." Want some more facts? Well, did you know that the first "jeans" were called "waist overalls"? The word jeans didn't come into play until 1960.