Make stunning edgy jewelry — with elements from your hardware store!
You don't often think to hit up your local hardware store when you're itching for some new jewelry. Add some edge to your outfit by accessorizing with some nuts and bolts and this tutorial for a rough-yet-chic hardware jewelry – no soldering or drilling required! Motorcycle not included.
Here's what you'll need:
- 3 strands of satin cord – each 3.5m long
- Clipboard
- 20 gold hex nuts
Here's how to do it:
Tie off one end of the satin cords, knotting them all together. Secure in the clipboard to keep it from slipping.
Time to put your summer camp skills to use – start braiding! Once you're about ⅓ of your way down the strands, add one hex nut to the leftmost braid strand, and one hex nut to the rightmost strand.
Keep up the process! Continue adding hex nuts while you braid down.
Once you're out of nuts, braid the cord 5 more times. Wind a strand around the base of the braid and double knot it tightly.
Remove the braid from the clipboard and flip the other way around. Undo the top knot. Once again, wind a strand around the braid and knot tightly. Continue 5 more times.
Time to secure your bracelet. Using one of the jewelry closures and super glue, attach one of the closures to two of the strands at the base of the braid. Make sure to tighten them with pliers. Repeat on the other side.
Cut the remaining cord of the strands within the closure. Leave one cord as is, and repeat on the other side.
Time to create a sliding knot for your bracelet! Double knot the remaining cords at each end of the bracelet.
Glue and clamp the excess cord with closures on both ends to make sure that the knots don't slide off when you're wearing the bracelet. Make sure to cut the excess off!
And there you have your DIY hex nut hardware bracelet! Time to make your necklace!
Repeat the same method as the bracelet and make a longer braided strand of satin cords at your desired length for your necklace.
Once you're about ⅓ of your way down the strands, begin adding hex nuts to each braid strand, interchanging the silver and gold hex nuts on either sides. Continue this for 75 millimeters, and then begin braiding again to even out the necklace.
Repeat steps 1-9 of the bracelet to use for the necklace.
Shrug on your favourite moto jacket and get ready to rock this strong, bold, and feminine look/