Celebrating bonds and Relationship ties - Tutorials

This week starting with August 7th or Friendship day is a special week of Festivals celebrating bonds and wonderful relationship ties. Friendship day, Varlakshmi Vratham – August 12th (Women fast, Pray to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity and Tie Yellow cords on their wrists), Aavani Avittam – August 13th (men change their sacred threads and offer prayers to their ancestors), and Raksha Bhandan again on August 13th (where girls tie a sacred thread -‘Rakhi’ on their brothers’ wrist and pray for their well being and in turn brothers would give their sisters gifts or money and promise them to help them when ever they need and protect them throughout their lifetime) all operate on the metaphor of a thread or band. As this is my 100th post on this blog, I am going to celebrate it the way I know best..By making cool stuff & writing a tutorials for them. Celebrate Raksha Bandhan this year with this DIY Rakhi

Yo Yo Rakhi

Materials Required

1 Yo yo in the chosen fabric
1 metallic flower spacer or a flattened bead cap
2 jump rings
20″ decorative cord
2 small tassels
Matching thread and needle
Some time and loads of Love!!.

Procedure:

Make a Yo yo in required size (follow this link for a Yoyo tutorial) .
I have replaced the button with a flattened bead cap for a traditional look). Now add Jump rings at either side. Take 10″ of the cord, slide a small tassel into it and knot it. Put the cord into the jump ring and knot it once again to secure it. Repeat on the other side. Done!! Surprise your brother with this self made rakhi this year.
(Refer this visual if you want to learn how to make a quick yarn tassel )

Or if you like something funky…Create a Craft foam Rakhi using the Above tutorial for a friendship band. Replace the alphabet tiles with kundan stones to give a traditional touch to it

If you are interested in making a Suraksha Kavach (Protective amulet) take a look at my tutorial using Evil Eye beads to make the Kakatiya Bracelet, which can be used for both Raksha bhandan and a Friendship bracelet