Father's Day Leather Boot Lace & Hex Nut Bracelet

Make Dad's day with this tough, unique bracelet!
What dad wouldn't be proud to sport hex nuts and leather on his wrist?

Step 1: What You Need

• A leather boot lace
• 10-12 hex nuts Jewelry wire (I used 20 gauge)
• Pliers (either nylon jaw or flat.. Don't use pliers with 'teeth')
• Scissors
• A lobster claw hook

Step 2: Preparing the Lace

Fold the boot lace into thirds, so you have a loop at each end.
Cut a piece of wire about 5 or 6 inches long.
Twist the wire around one end, leaving a loop of leather above it

Step 3: Wrap the End

Wrap the wire TIGHTLY around the lace.
For extra 'staying power' you can pull the wire through the loop and use it to either secure the end of the down to the bracelet or make a loop to use as a hook.
(If your lobster claw is small, you'll probably need the loop, if it's larger, you can use the leather loop to clasp. )
Use your pliers to press the wire ends firmly into the leather so they aren't scratchy.

Step 4: Start Braiding

Cut the other end of your lace (the end you did not wrap with wire) so you have three ends to work with.
Start a simple braid.
Make the braid fairly tight.
When the braid is about 2" long, move onto the next step.

Step 5: Add Hex Nuts to the Braid

For this step, it's probably easiest to follow the pictures.... As you braid, add a hex nut to both outside laces.
Complete the braid stitch, pulling the leather tight.
Add two more hex nuts to the next stitch, following this pattern until you have 10-12 hex nuts braided into the bracelet.

Step 6: Finish the Braid

Braid another two inches or so past the last hex nut, making both sides of plain braid about equal length.

Step 7: Add a Clasp

Cut another piece of wire, about 5-6" long.
Fold it in half and string the clasp so it hangs from the bend in the wire.
You might want to give the wire a twist to keep the clasp in place.
Place the clasp against the end of the braided section of the bracelet and wrap the wire TIGHTLY around the braid.
Wrap the two ends of the wire in opposite directions so that they cross in front and back of the braid.
Once you have the wire wrapped as tight as you can, press the ends down, into the braid.
Use the pliers to flatten the ends so they don't stick out and scratch Dad's wrist.

Step 8: Finish!

Once you are sure the clasp is secure, and the bracelet is the size you want it to be, cut off the excess boot lace.
Hook the clasp to the leather loop or wire loop you made in the beginning step.
And, done! Wrap it up for an awesome, one of a kind present for your awesome, one of a kind Dad!

(Trying to figure out how long to make this for a surprise for Dad? Here's a tip.. If he's a watch wearer, measure his watch to the 'used' hole in the band to see what size is comfortable for his wrist)