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DIY Hardware Store Necklace

Oct 29

bolt necklace diy- such a fun gift idea!

Hi lovelies!  Amanda here from On the Corner of Brodhead. Its Friday!  Can I get and Amennn!?
I hope this weekend you’re all getting dressed up for Halloween and eating wayyyy too much candy and creating every single one of Colleen’s to die for Halloween DIY’s!  I know I am. For sure!

Ok, so I’m taking DIY’ing to a whole new level.  And I have officially added jewelry making to my repertoire. Because, why in the world not?!

So, here’s how it all happened.  I have been completely uninspired by my jewelry collection as of late and was in need of something new and sparkly to take me into the fall wardrobe-ing season.  That’s part I of how I became a jewelry maker.

Part II of this jewelry making journey finds me in the hardware store.
Lowe’s is my second home.  We’re in the midst of a bathroom addition.  Therefore, when you can’t find me, 9 times out of 10, I’m hanging out in the tile aisle.

But this girl can only take so much.  So I left the tile aisle and wound up in the hardware aisle where I laid eyes on some sparkly gold bolts.
And I had an aha! moment.  Gold bolts = delicate gold beaded necklace.  Thank goodness the craft store is just a mile away from the hardware store so I could pick up the rest of my supplies!

bolt necklace diy- such a fun gift idea!

DIY Hardware Store Necklace Supply List:

  • Gold Bolts from the hardware store
  • 3 Jump Rings
  • Head Pin
  • Lobster Claw
  • Necklace Chain
  • Round Nose Pliers (I recommend this pair)

This project is pretty much like a puzzle.  Its all about fitting the pieces together!  So easy, it just takes some steady hands and tad bit of patience.

1. Begin by choosing the length you’d like your necklace to be.  I didn’t get fancy and measure, instead I held the chain up to my neck and estimated.  Using the plier tool, de-link the chain amount you’re happy with from the rest of the chain.

2. Split the chain you’ve de-linked into 2 separate equal pieces.  You’ll now have 2 smaller chain pieces.

3. Add the bolts onto the head pin and make a loop using your trusty plier tool at the open end of the pin.  There will now be a closed “eye” at each end of the pin so the bolts stay in place and don’t slide all around.

4. To these “eyes” add a jump ring to each.

5. Now, to each one of the jump rings link 1 piece of chain.  At this point its really starting to look like a necklace!

6. All that is left to do is add one more jump ring  and the lobster claw.  The lobster claw will clasp to the final jump ring.

7. Voila! Pat yourself on the back and add jewelry maker to your resume!

bolt necklace diy- such a fun gift idea!

bolt necklace diy- such a fun gift idea!

diy bolt necklace

My fall wardrobe is completely paired down this season.  Can you say all the neutrals?  And basics.  The simplicity of the hardware store necklace is going to pair with all of my fall go-to’s (cable knit sweaters everyday) so perfectly!  Not to mention, the gold hue of the bolts is just so rich and warm.  The perfect cold weather quick fix!

bolt necklace diy- such a fun gift idea!

So, now its your turn.  Conquer your fear of jewelry making and get to the hardware store stat!
What other unexpected materials would make a new piece of jewelry?  More ideas, please!

Follow along with me on Facebook and Instagram!

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Category: DIYTag: Contributor, Craft, Gifts, Wearable
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Comments

  1. Avatar photoCindy Eikenberg

    Nov 01 at 3:52 am

    Hi Colleen – I love this necklace and think they’ll make great gifts, too! Visiting from Snickerdoodle Sunday and pinning! Have a great week!

    Reply
    • Avatar photoColleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 6:48 am

      They would make awesome gifts! I always try to pick one DIY gift to make for all my girlfriends for the Holidays, this one is definitely in the running!

      Reply
  2. Avatar photocreativejewishmom/sara

    Nov 01 at 6:48 am

    love it! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    Reply
  3. Avatar photoMary-In the boondocks

    Nov 01 at 12:45 pm

    Really pretty necklace. Perfect in the steampunk tradition. Also a great gift for a DIYer who is into tools.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoAmanda Belanger

      Nov 03 at 10:17 am

      It would be such a great gift idea! So glad you like it!

      Reply
    • Avatar photoColleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 6:49 am

      It would totally work for steampunk! Thanks for stopping by Mary :)

      Reply
  4. Avatar photoJessy @ The Life Jolie

    Nov 02 at 12:43 pm

    What a great idea- I never would have thought of this!

    I stopped by from Frugal Crafty Blog Hop.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoAmanda Belanger

      Nov 03 at 10:16 am

      Thank you Jessy!!

      Reply
    • Avatar photoColleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 6:50 am

      Isn’t she clever? I can’t wait to try it out myself!

      Reply
  5. Avatar photoSonja @ SustainMyCraftHabit

    Nov 02 at 6:19 pm

    What a creative idea. It’s such a pretty necklace! I think I’ll be rummaging through my husbands work shop later:) Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoAmanda Belanger

      Nov 03 at 10:15 am

      So glad I was able to inspire!! I’m sure your husband will have plenty of necklace making supplies in his workshop!

      Reply
    • Avatar photoColleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 6:51 am

      Ahhh I wish we had a workshop to rummage through! I’m just over here planning my trip to The Home Depot ;)

      Reply
  6. Avatar photoJulie

    Nov 03 at 9:47 am

    I love these kind of necklaces. This might seem like a slightly odd comment, but my son loves The Flash and Arrow TV programs so sometimes I find myself watching with him. 9 times out of 10 I’m looking more at the clothes and jewellery the female characters wear and I’ve seen quite a few pieces in this style. Obviously very on trend!

    Reply
    • Avatar photoAmanda Belanger

      Nov 03 at 10:14 am

      So glad you love it Julie!!

      Reply
    • Avatar photoColleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 6:55 am

      Haha! That’s how I feel about some of the shows my husband watches :)

      Reply
  7. Avatar photoNtina

    Nov 04 at 1:20 am

    Really creative idea! I love how this necklace turned out, it’s so cute!

    Reply
    • Avatar photoColleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 7:03 am

      SO creative! If she had explained it to me, I wouldn’t have pictured how cute it would be!

      Reply
  8. Avatar photoBeverly

    Nov 04 at 5:20 am

    What a creative idea! The necklace looks great. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday.

    Reply
  9. Avatar photoMisty

    Nov 04 at 8:38 am

    This is awesome! And unique.. I’m thinking these would make very cool and special gifts for my girls this year and not to mention inexpensive. Thank you for sharing! Be Blessed!

    Reply
    • Avatar photoColleen Pastoor

      Nov 05 at 7:07 am

      Yes! The perfect gift for all those girls in your life. I always pick one gift to mass craft for all the ladies in my life :)

      Reply
  10. Avatar photoJessica

    Nov 07 at 10:27 am

    These are really pretty! I’d never guess they were from the hardware store

    Reply
    • Avatar photoColleen Pastoor

      Nov 21 at 5:03 pm

      I know, right!? Amanda’s pretty clever ;)

      Reply
  11. Avatar photoJulie S

    Nov 14 at 6:37 am

    How clever and unique too! Never would have thought to make a necklace from hardware store parts :) #SITSblogging

    Reply
  12. Avatar photoAkaleistar

    Nov 14 at 7:22 am

    That necklace is so pretty, and I love how easy it is to make!

    Reply
  13. Avatar photoJennifer Dawn

    Dec 09 at 7:10 am

    What a unique piece! It’s hard to believe that you made it from bolts. I love when things are made from unexpected materials.

    Reply
  14. Avatar photoMarcia

    Sep 09 at 3:45 am

    Cute necklace…..I was a bit confused at first though. I think the hardware is more commonly known as nuts which actually screw on the end of bolts.

    Reply

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I’m Colleen: wife; mom to 4 wild ones; and DIY blogger behind Lemon Thistle. You can expect to see affordable DIY, cozy modern home decor, renovations, free printables, hand lettering and the occasional party on Lemon Thistle. Read More…

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