How in the world is it September 15th already?! Didn’t this month just start? Regardless, it’s the 15th again which can only mean one thing: The Home Depot Gift Challenge! We took last month off due to crazy busy summer shenanigans, but we are back this month with a new item and recipient (AND, a little giveaway for you down at the bottom of this post; don’t forget to enter!).
If you’re new to this series or to Dwelling in Happiness, once a month some fabulous bloggers and myself get together and make a gift using one chosen item from Home Depot (you can see our last several months items: copper tee, wooden dowel, pegboard, a 2×4, and concrete). A gift recipient is also chosen, and then we let our creativity spill as we get working coming up with a clever gift. This month, the chosen item were hose clamps, and the gift recipient was ourselves. Possibilities were endless!
(We are in no way associated with Home Depot; we just love their stuff!)
I didn’t have as much trouble with this month as I have in past. I have a little wall between our kitchen and living room that needed something, so mirrors instantly came to mind. I love seeing those round mirrors made from trays and other things, so I knew some industrial looking mirrors was just what I wanted for this wall.
To make these DIY industrial hose clamp mirrors, you’ll need:
- One 7″ Everbilt Hose clamp
- Two 4″ Everbilt Hose Clamps
- One 6″ round mirror
- Two 3″ round mirrors
- Old Chain/necklace
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Pliers/wire cutters
This little craft was incredibly easy to do, just took a little time and patience. To start, I made sure my hose clamps were open as far as they could go, using a screwdriver to open them as necessary. Then, I placed a corresponding-sized mirror inside of the hose clamp. I found these mirrors at Joann’s, which were really inexpensive.
I wanted my mirrors to sit as far back as possible so you can see a little ‘lip” from the hose clamp. This part was a little tricky, but I just held my mirror where I wanted it with one hand, and slowly tightened the clamp using my screwdriver in the other. As it got almost tight around the mirror to hold it in place, I made sure the mirror was even and flush with the back edge of the clamps. I kept tightening until the mirror was staying put without moving. Be careful not to tighten it too much or you’ll chip/break the mirror!
I did the same with the other two clamps and mirrors. To hang, I wanted to keep the industrial feel so I used an old chain from a necklace I had but didn’t wear anymore. It was a little tarnished, but I like the contrast it had against the sterling silver clamps. Using my small pliers, I pulled apart one of the small round metal links in the necklace shown below.
I did this twice, removing two round links to use on either side of the clamp for hanging. I kept them open so I could easily slip them on the clamp.
I took one round link and put it around the very outer edge of the clamp’s “tightened” end. This little “tail” is the excess metal as I tightened my clamp around the mirror. After my link was placed in the slit of the clamp, I carefully put the end of my chain on and used pliers to close it up tight so the chain wouldn’t come off.
For the other side, I wanted to make sure they were evenly spaced when hung. To do this, I counted the little slits on the “tail” side that started from the top, and counted down the same number of slits down the other side so the tightener piece would be in the very middle when hung.
Once I found where my link needed to go, I slipped it up through the inside of the clamp so the opening was facing up (shown in the picture below). Then I put on the other side of my chain, and closed up the ends tight with my pliers. This side was a little trickier to work with, as the other link was attached to the very “tail” end, making it easier to work with. It might take a little finagling with your pliers, but once on, make sure the link is closed tight so the chain can’t fall off.
That’s it! It may seem a little tedious, but I had these three mirrors done in under an hour. I hung them off centered on the wall, and they add the perfect industrial touch!
I’m tempted to make even more on a bigger scale! I love how simple they are, and how inexpensive. Yay for craft gifts for myself! 😉
If you want to see some more incredible hose-clamp gift ideas, head on over to my bloggy friend’s pages by clicking the photos below!
AND, we have something else fun for you, too. We are giving away a $75 Home Depot gift card to one lucky winner!! Just fill out the rafflecopter below to enter!
Have a great week, friends!
(I link up at these fun parties!)
You are so creative! I just LOVE this project!
Katie @ Little House of Four recently posted…Quick and Easy Book Page Garland {VIDEO!}
Thanks girl!! Gotta love the industrial projects! 😉
Amanda, this was a GREAT idea, I really love these!!
Roxanne recently posted…How to Fake A Chandelier
Aw thanks Roxanne!! I’m so happy that they turned out as cute a they did. I wasn’t sure how it’d work out! 🙂
Amanda you are sooo clever. These mirrors are fantastic!
Carmody recently posted…Oyster Shell Napkin Rings & Home Depot Gift Card
Thank you, Carmody!! I couldn’t get great photos (I hate photographing mirrors!) but I’m so happy with how they turned out!
Amanda this are so great! I love how you made them into mirrors! Super creative!
Thanks, Ruthie!! Hope your week is going great! 🙂
Oh my gosh! These are SO cool Amanda! BRILLIANT!!!
Kristi recently posted…Dream Kitchen Design with Dezignable
Thank you, Kristi!!! I was surprised they were so easy to make! 🙂
I think this challenge would be hard for me! I only go to Home Depot for paint… most of my DIY/crafts are from things I purchase at Hobby Lobby or fabric! HA! You have done awesome and these mirrors look great! Thanks for the giveaway!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom recently posted…Currently
It’s totally hard each month!! It really makes us think outside the box. Thanks so much for stopping by and checking them out, Carrie! 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
Amanda, these are brilliant! I LOVE what you came up with!! I never would’ve thought to do this 🙂
Lindi recently posted…Talented Tuesday
Thank you, Lindi!! I don’t even know how I came up with it, but it came to me pretty quickly. Unlike every other month! Ha! Hope you have a great rest of the week, girl!
This idea knocks my socks off! So creative. Love!!!
Erin recently posted…How To Build A Wine Bottle Bird Feeder
Thank you Erin!! So glad you like them! 🙂 Have a great Wednesday!!
In. Love. Enough said! Definitely putting this on my project list.:)
Shannon recently posted…Long Days, Short Years
Aw thanks Shannon! They were so easy to make, which is totally my kind of project! 🙂 Hope you’re having an awesome week!
This is perfect for my room! Will try do it in larger scale, hopefully the clamp can hold 🙂 Thanks for this idea!
Ron@MichiganHomes recently posted…4 Awesome Tips That Can Make Your Open Floor Plan Home More Stylish and Homey
Thanks Ron! Send me a picture if you get to make them, I’d love to see them on a bigger scale!
Ok, this is crazy creative Amanda! Love it!!
Thanks girl!! 🙂
Girl… you’re my hero. So clever!
Jen @ Fresh Crush recently posted…Paper Princess Party Crown
Ha! Thanks Jen! They were fun and so easy to put together!
You’re so creative! These are great, Amanda.
Amy | Canary Street Crafts recently posted…Adding Detail To Furniture With Washi Tape
Thank you Amy!! I was so happy with how these turned out! 🙂
I’ve had a bunch of those duct clamps sitting in my laundry room for about three years now. And I don’t think we will need to be replacing any more ducts soon, so they were probably just going to go in the trash for our annual winter clean-up. I think I’m actually going to use these to frame some mirrors! Thanks for the cool idea.
Hi Jenn! Yay! These mirrors are the perfect way to use up extra hose clamps lying around for sure! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
That’s really creative and love the way you have done, great work
Thank you! 🙂
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and I love it, love it, love it! Wow!!!
Thanks so much!! 🙂