First you'll need to gather all of your materials, which you can find listed in the original post over at the Instructables website. Then you'll be ready to start putting it all together:

Step 1: Take apart the tape measure
Take apart the tape measure using a flathead screwdriver. Take caution, as the wire spring may pop out. You will get four parts: the shell, button, small spring, measuring tape, wire spring (spring) and black holder part (holder). For this project, you will need the spring and holder.

Step 2: Place the spring back into the holder
If your spring popped out of the holder, coil it back up and place it back into the holder. It is wise to wear thick gloves to protect fingers against the sharp edges of the spring. The holder should have two notches were the end of the wire goes to keep it in place.

Step 3: Cut out the cardstock tube and cap
Measure the circumference of the holder and the height of your bottle cap from the inside up. Then, cut a piece of cardstock that length and height. For instance, my holder had a circumference of 10 centimeters and the bottle cap was 4 centimeters high, so I cut out a 4 by 10 piece of cardstock. Turn this into a tube by taping the two ends as shown. Keep aside for later. Cut out a circular “cap” that is the diameter of the bottle cap and add flaps to use to tape on later. Save this too.

Step 4: Make the spring holder
Also cut out two thin strips of cardstock to tape onto the holder as to keep the wire from popping out. Tape as shown.

Step 5: Cut the chopstick and put into the bolt
Take out the chopstick and X-acto knife. Measure 2 centimeters from the top and cut off the rest of the stick. Then, use the knife to make an indent in the center of the chopstick, taking care to not break the chopstick in to two pieces. Place the chopstick into the bolt so that it fits snugly.

After this, cut a hole in the bottle cap, making the hole big enough that the chopstick can fit through. Then, glue the bolt that holds the chopstick into the bottle cap, and use an X-acto knife to cut two holes in the bottle cap, positioning them so that they face each other. Now, take the holder and position the wire so that it fits into the gap in between the pieces of chopstick. Then, place the cardstock tube into the holder wrap the cord around the tube. Put the cap on and you're done!

What do you think of this DIY project? Is this something you would do? Would it make life easier to have a self-retracting earbud case? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Article Source: Instructables