Hardware Store DIY

Ever since I was little, I’ve had a love for hardware stores. I’m not sure exactly why but there’s something about all those hooks and nails and shelves all lined up and neatly sectioned, just waiting to fix your annoying household problems. Maybe it appeals to my sense of order, or perhaps it just goes to show that I’ve always been a DIYer. Hardware stores, aside from just being neat, are obviously a DIY gold mine. We’ve already covered how you can punk up a pair of boots with a bit of chain and how to add chain to your light fixtures, but it also works perfect for purses and jewelry.

Wrapping chain around a stone (or orphaned earring) is a pretty good place to start; another entry level move is adding claps to a length of chain. I’m partial to the braided hex nut bracelet, which is a bit like making a friendship bracelet – but adding nuts. The ball chain wrap bracelet is another good one – and hey, all you gotta do is twist stuff together. If you’re feeling that, then there’s a parachord version as well as several necklace options. The best of which is to add a large brooch to strands of various widths of chain, but the version that strings washers on wire is kinda lovely too. If that’s too much metal for ya, then check out the flowers and lace version (which I believe just involves glue?); or try the leopard belt (simply weaving cloth through chain). The even simpler option is to just attach and string chain to an existing belt – that’s just gonna require some jump rings and an eyelet kit.

In addition to chain accessories, consider bolts and nuts. Screw enough odds and ends together and it’s pretty easy to work up a set of candle holders, or even a chess set.

Images courtesy pintrest.com, etsy.com seller beckydzoro, hontesywtf.com, and dollarstorecrafts.com