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Anyone with a little punk in their blood knows that a DIY spirit is encoded in the movement?s DNA. That being the case, it would seem that environmentalists and punks have more in common than you might think?take this DIY project of making a studded belt out of an old bike tire instead of leather via Punk Rock Domestics.
What You'll Need
It's a simple project that makes for some ingenious recycling. Here's what you'll need:
- An old bicycle tube
- Scissors
- Studs (and you can always leave these out if you're not partial to the punk aesthetic)
- A marker
- A safety pin
Begin the Belt-Making:
1. Start by cutting the old tube widthwise at a point near the nozzle (so you can remove it). Next cut in a single straight line along the length of the tube, in order to open it up.
2. At this point, you'll probably want to wash the tube, so soak it and scrub it down.
3. Now, wrap the length of tube around your waist in order to judge how much more to trim, then make the cuts. When you've got it at the right length, feed it through your belt loops, and make a mark on each side where you want the studs to start and end. Leave enough room on one end for the "buckle."
4. Pull the ends together where the tire ends will meet in the front, and make marks where your buckle can comfortably go.
5. Apply the studs in whatever pattern you'd like. Now use the scissors to make three or four incisions along the side you left space on, with the marks.
6. Now, line them up, and use whatever you want for the 'buttons' on the buckle—a stud and a safety pin will work fine.
Voila! A punky green belt. Now, you can move on to your next project?a recycled beer cap belt.
Are you a green hipster looking for all things green and cool? Then you'll love actor and eco-activist Adrian Grenier and his team of environmental experts, who live it up with sustainable style on Planet Green TV's Alter Eco.
