Hey everyone!

Today I’m doing a blog swap with Amy from Green Eggs and Hamm!

You can find me over at Green Eggs and Hamm posting about an old men’s tie turned statement necklace!

I have a feeling you’ll fall in love with Amy.  She is A-MA-ZING. She blogs about her insane thrifting finds like this Burberry trench, recipies, incredible repurposing like this thrifted dress turned carry-all, and her adorable kiddos who I love so much!

Without further delay here she is!
Hi there!   My name is Amy, and I am so excited to be over here doing a guest post.  Yup, that’s me, looking at my new dreamy boots back in the day.  To give you some background on my obsession with thrift…it took me until three years ago to part with that old 70s furniture that was handed down from my parents, I almost cried seeing this picture. I tried garage selling it twice, but both times couldn’t part with it…that’s how much I like old stuff.  You can check out my thrifting adventures here at greeneggsnhamm.blogspot.com.

First of all, let me say that Shelley is fabulous, and put simply, a designer ninja…a blackbelt…designer ninja.  I have had the blessing of being in her home (we’re cousins, she has no choice) and this blog of hers is only a tidbit of her fabulousness.  Enough of me rambling about Shelley…did I mention she has great hair too?  Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!

Today we are doing a tutorial I found over at Honestly WTF.  It’s a braided Hex Nut bracelet.  The best part: it cost around $2, and takes less than 10 minutes, plus all supplies can be found at a hardware store, or in your hubby’s toolbox.

Supplies:  3 strands of twine (you could even use leather) cut into 1 yard pieces
                18 small brass hexnuts (but feel free to make it your own and use silver)
                scissors
Gather the 3 strands and tie a knot at the top, then braid it about an inch or so.  I stuck a safety pin in my bed to hold it firm while braiding (do at your own risk).
Once you get a good inch or 2 braided, start incorporating the hex nuts.
This photo is courtesy of Honestly WTF
  • Start with the strand on the left and holding the braid taught add a nut and push it to the base of braid.  You’ll want to hold that nut firmly in place.
  • Then crossover that strand.
  • Before joining the right side, add another nut, hold firmly then crossover.

Follow this with the remaining hex nuts, then finish with another inch or 2 of braid, tie another knot and you are finished.  You can leave a long strand and tie it with a knot, or do what I did and find a nice clasp.  I hate wearing jewelry at home.  It’s the first thing I take off when I enter the door…right before I put on my sweats.

 

This project was so fun and easy I made two.  One out of small hexnuts, one out of the medium.

pardon the paint on my hand…

I used a magnetic clasp I found at Joanns.

I enjoyed it so made much I did another one of their tutorials making “grown up” friendship bracelets.  I am totally addicted.  Here is the link to the other tutorial.
The top is an old bracelet I haven’t worn in years.  The bottom is an old gold chain from back in the day when I was a true gangsta.
 Close up of the necklace.
If you do this second project with a small chain, use about 1/2 as much embroidery thread and instead of using a bobby pin to pull the strands through, use a small piece of embroidery thread tied around the two strands you are working with.  It makes it much easier since a bobby pin won’t fit through the small links.
Warning: just like friendship bracelets from the 80s, these are totally addicting and will have you remaking all your old jewelry.

 

Hope you all come by and say hello.  Much love!  Amy

***linking up to these great parties and more below***

The DIY Show Off

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10 Comments

  1. so cute!! what a great idea!
    Shelley, I just wanted to let you know I featured your slipcover makeover on Transformations and Treasures today. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this!

  2. Wow..what a brilliant idea! So beautiful. Wish you a great Thursday
    Kisses

  3. Seriously some talented and creative cousins! I totally remember friendship bracelets! Do you remember the safety pins with beads?

    Okay, this is weird commenting here for Amy when Shelley will get the response. Love the necktie necklace. Found Amy's blog through Cariboo Butterfly, and yours through Amy's.

    Jen Hemming and Hawing Again

  4. Beautiful bracelets, Amy! I love the mix of natural with hardware – creates such pretty pieces! Thank you so much for linking your creativity to the Earthy Essentials party at the DIY Show Off! 🙂

    Roeshel

  5. Hi! Your Neck-Tie-Necklace was linked up over at my Making It With Allie party… I clicked over to find it on your blog and haven't been able to! I would like to add it as part of my features if you can't point me to where it is at on your blog!
    Allie
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

  6. I just found your blog and am your newest follower! These bracelets look amazing! Thanks for creating such a fab blog full of inspiration.

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