Hardware Jewelry

Among the bins of nuts and bolts at a hardware store lies a treasure trove of enticing and mysterious objects for kids to explore. Set aside time to join your children on a prowl through the aisles. Most stores still sell huge reels of chains, wire, ropes, tubing and bungee cord, which can be measured and cut to order. Old-fashioned stores stock bins of nails and barrels of bolts. Let the materials inspire creative arts projects to try at home. Here is a well-worn favorite that can be made for less than $5.

HARDWARE JEWELS
A necklace or bracelet, made from a ball chain and fastened with a coupler, is an all-time favorite for kids of all ages. Decorations include anything with a hole: round nuts, wing nuts, washers, couplers, blank keys and so on.