Turn Hardware (Hex Nuts) Into Jewelry

This tutorial will show you how to turn ordinary hex nuts into a extraordinary peace of homemade jewelry

Recycling or upcycling unusual objects &/or materials combined with paracord can create unique items of jewelry

Wear it next to your other stainless steel/silver jewelry

Even if you're not familiar with the basic cobra/solomon knot this project should be easy!

1. Ruler
2. Torch Lighter
3. Stainless Steel Buckle 5/8
4. Scissors
5. Stainless Steel Hex Nuts 5/16
6. Paracord (550) 8 feet (two 4 feet cords) for a 8.5 inches bracelet
7. Eight (8) feet paracord should be enough for a regular size

If you get one of those minimum paracord of 16 ft/4.8 m it should be enough for 2 bracelets (four 4 feet cords = 4x4)

PS: You can find/buy stainless steel buckles online and stainless steel hex nuts at a tool/hardware store
Jig not necessary to knot this bracelet "use your magic hands"

Make a loop and pull it through the male side of the buckle
Pull the cord ends through the loop
Repeat, make another loop and pull it through the male side of the buckle
Pull the cord ends through the loop
There should be 2 knots attached to the buckle
The inside cords should be smaller than the outside cords, adjust the length to 1.5 feet (inside) and 2.5 (outside)
There's no need to measure your wrist now
You can do it later, you can measure it as you knot
This way you can add or remove hex nuts depending on the size of your wrist
1.5 feet should be more than enough to work with any wrist
Tighten up those knots!

Hook the left running end right, over the vertical cords
Drop the right running end over the cord beneath it
Then hook it left and through the back of the left crook
Tighten firmly
Hook the running end left, over the vertical cords
Drop the left running end over the cord beneath it
Then hook it right and through the back of the right crook
Tighten firmly

If you need more help with the cobra/solomon knot click on the following link

Insert the hex nut through the end of the vertical (inside) cords from the bottom all the way to the top
Keep knot tying
Follow the same technique explained in step # 3, only with hex nuts
There should be a knot between hex nuts
Look at the images...
Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Continue knot tying and adding hext nuts until your desired lenght
[I added 9 hex nuts to mine for a 8.5 inches bracelet, I have a small wrist]
Measure your wrist as you knot
You are in control, keep knot tying and adding hex nuts &/or unraveling and removing hex nuts

Pass the vertical (inside) cords through the female side of the buckle
Follow the cobra/solomon knot technique shown in the sketch to finish the bracelet with the last knot
Once you have made the last/closing knot you should try the bracelet on and see how it fits before going to step 7
If it feels too tight then go back to step 5 and add another knot &/or hex nut, there should be enough paracord left
Tighten up the last knot!

Carefully snip and singe the excess cords
Watch your fingers, don't cut or burn yourself!

If you did everything correctly your bracelet should look like this

Congrats you've created a piece of jewelry out of tools/hardware
It has an edgy & elegant look to it :-)

Either side of the buckle variation: (m or f)
You could start with either side of the buckle, starting with the female and ending with the male

Plastic buckle variation:
Substitute the stainless steel buckle for a plastic buckle, you could to match the color of the cord with the color of the buckle

Less hex nuts variation:
You could add more knots and less hex nuts

D Shuckle variation:
Substitute the stainless steel buckle for an stainless steel D shuckle which is both decorative & functional, it will still maintain the original aesthetic of the bracelet and also can be deployed
But it won't be quick, since you would have to remove the hex nuts

Brass hex nuts:
Substitute the stainless steel hex nuts for brass hex nuts if you prefer golden looking jewelry

Color variation (Cord):
2 different Colors

Solid Colors

Camo Colors

I used bright Neon colors

You can also make a good looking belt out of hex nuts & cord
Turn ordinary hex nuts into a extraordinary belt!
Same knot technique as the bracelet (cobra/solomon)
Just substitute a bracelet buckle for a belt buckle (Stainless Steel)
You'll need at least 50 feet of paracord (2 X 25) For a Medium belt

I wear this belt with formal clothes! :-)

You can also create a necklace out of cord & hext nuts
Turn ordinary hex nuts into an extraordinary necklace
Not the same knot technique as the bracelet & belt though… but still easy!

Use between 4 to 6 feet of paracord. Depending on how long you want it (I used 4)
Insert both paracord ends into the hex nut in opposite directions
Pull both paracord ends
Insert many of hex nuts as you desire (I inserted 15)
Be careful not to insert too many because because of their weight (hex nuts are kinda heavy)
Use a hex nut as necklace closure

I hope you enjoyed this instructable as much as I enjoyed creating it
Please vote for my instructable here

Thanks
Jimmy