Hex Nut Bracelets

This Christmas is brought to you by Pinterest.  I'm sure you know about it, but if you don't, hop on over there and sign up!!

HEX NUT BRACELETS

materials:

30 Hexnuts (I used the brass/gold ones) (either size 6-32 or 8-32, mine are 6-32 because I got more in a pack for the same price.  They are a little smaller.) These are 5-10 cents each at Home Depot and Jerrys

Twine (whatever kind you want.  I used a smoother white kind which looks nice but does not hold a knot very well because it is slippery.) Maybe $4 at Jerrys for way more than enough for five

Clasps (2.99 for 5 sets at Michaels) Jewelry Essentials Findings: Toggle Clasps Item JC11856-102

Crimps (2.99 for 150 pieces at Michaels) Bead Landing Crimps.  I just bought the largest ones I cold find because they hold six pieces of twine.

 I copied these bracelets from this brilliant blog and adapted them slightly.

Firstly, Cut three 2 ft pieces of twine and tie a knot at the end.  Leave a few inches to put the clasp on later.

Braid the three strands about two inches.  This is easiest by taping the knotted end to a table while braiding.  On the link I have provided there are great pictures of the process which make it very easy to understand. 

When it is time to braid the leftmost strand over the middle one, thread a hex nut onto the ledft strand and push it up the the braid.  The hex nut should be at an angle with the outside part higher than the inside part.  In this direction ( \ ).  After the hex nut is pushed up to the top, then braid the left strand over the middle like usual.  Pull it tight.

Now do the same thing with the rightmost strand.  Push a hex nut up to the braid at this angle ( / ) and braid the right strand over the middle.  You will notice that you are doing a regular braid and just beading on a nex nut before you braid over the strand. 

Continue this process with the number of hex nuts you prefer.  I used 18 on my first one and then decided to do 30 on the rest.  It depends on the look you want. 

After you have put on all your hex nuts, continue braiding normally for another 8-10 inches, depending on your wrist size.  Also, this depends on how many hex nuts you put on and the size of the hex nuts. 

The bracelet I made is designed to wrap around your wrist twice.  You can also make this bracelet shorter, with less braid if you want it to only wrap one time.

Tie a knot to finish it off.

I wore mine like this and tied the ends, but since my twine was so smooth, it kept coming unknotted.  I decided to add a clasp to mine, which the other blog did not do. 

To add the clasp, string the strands onto one half of the clasp and fold back toward the knot.  Wrap a crimp bead around the three strands and the other three strands that were folded back (6 strands total).

Crimp it tight and do the same thing on the other end of the bracelet.

This bracelet is a unique way of making everyday objects into something beautiful and unique.  The hex nuts can be arranged differently after it is made, which makes the bracelet have multiple looks.

Enjoy!