Hardware Store Watch

It seems to be Hardware Store Jewelry Week here at Zodirowe, starting with my washer necklace from Tuesday. I always love a good theme party!

I was perusing Henry Happened again (see my first project inspired by this site here) when Stephanie posted this equally awesome idea.

See Stephanie's post here.

She made a cool industrial bracelet from a hose clamp and some ribbon. It was an inexpensive, quick, and easy project. As always though, I decided to expand on an idea and turn this bracelet into a watch! The technique was the same, just with a few added materials.

Here's what I used:



  • A simple watch with a leather strap, picked up from Wal-mart.
  • A seam ripper, although scissors could get the job done too.
  • An adjustable hose clamp, but check your local hardware store to find a size that will fit you best. (Located in the plumbing section)
  • Some string or ribbon. I originally wanted to use string but liked the look of the ribbon better. Your choice though!


First, I used the seam ripper to remove the leather straps from the watch. I chose a leather watch because the straps could be removed without damaging the lugs. You'll need those.

Ignore the nails. Thanks.

I weaved some red ribbon (on hand) through the hose clamp.


Once I got to the middle of the hose clamp, I weaved the ribbon through the watch as well, making sure to pull the watch face taut against the clamp.



Then, I continued weaving the ribbon through the rest of the hose clamp.


I glued the ends of the ribbons in place with some heavy duty adhesive. I also put some glue on the back of the watch, so it wouldn't wiggle. No one wants a wiggly watch.


Let it dry overnight. I put the watch on some paper so I wouldn't accidentally glue my new watch to the coffee table. It happens. 

Now you can enjoy being able to stylishly tell time!


And now, the lowdown.

  • Watch - $10
  • Hose clamp - $1.30
  • Ribbon - On hand
  • Tools & glue - On hand
Total = $11.30

I've worn this watch out and about and haven't had any issues, such as wiggling or fraying ribbons. However if it falls apart, this project only took me about an hour and wasn't too costly. The watch fits like a cuff, which I love. I've gotten a few compliments about my watch as well. And everyone has the same incredulous reaction when I tell them it's a hose clamp. Love that too!

A little tip to save you a trip, get your hose clamp from Home Depot, not Lowe's. The hose clamps at Lowe's didn't have slits all the way around, so you wouldn't be able to weave the ribbon all the way around the clamp. I wasn't paid or perked by Home Depot to say that. Just wanted to save you some gas!
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I’ve got a lovely bunch of washers, deedeely deedeely

Is that not how the song goes? Maybe I had a different version of The Lion King. Have I lost everyone with that *terrible* joke?

Labor Day weekend was uber-busy. I tried to wrap up some easy projects but, as usual, easy projects are not always easy. So, I didn’t accomplish as much as I had planned to but that could also be because I forced myself to relax a bit, spend time with family, and just try not to do too much. I have a tendency to overload myself with To Dos. Like a sickness.

See what I tend to pile onto myself? These are materials for about 5 different projects I had going on at once. And I had about elebenty million more not pictured.


One project I was able to knock out fairly easily was this necklace made from some metal washers.

Who knew hardware could look so good?



I found this tutorial  from Sarah of The Small Object. I can’t lie; it took me a few tries to get the hang of the weaving. Once I did, I made fast work of this project while watching some reruns of The Mentalist.

I used some washers (leftover from various furniture assemblies) I had lying around in our toolbox and some purple ribbon from Bed Bath & Beyond. No, I didn’t buy the ribbon. I had registered there (and Target of course) for our wedding and almost every gift I received at my bridal shower was from Bed Bath & Beyond. If you aren’t aware, they do free gift wrapping and use purple ribbons to wrap the gifts. I got a shit ton of purple ribbons. And I kept. Every. Single. One. Because, hello it’s ribbons. You can’t get rid of those!



I only had about 15 washers in my tool bag so I bought another little baggie for a buck. I used 30 metal washers in total. I wanted the necklace to be a choker style, with washers going all the way around my neck, so I used a shorter ribbon. I don’t remember the exact length because I just pulled all of my BB&B purple ribbon stock and said, “That one looks about right.”



I think it came out fairly well. And I used up some of my purple ribbon. Win win!

I still have a ton of purple ribbon, though. If you need purple ribbon, register at BB&B for your wedding. You will not be disappointed! Or you can call me. Your choice.
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