Isn't all the leather jewelry that's out there just beautiful? I especially like it mixed with metal. In all my jewelry making I've never really worked with leather, but there's always a first time. You know my affinity for all things Vintaj... I mixed turquoise colored leather with antiqued brass findings for a perfectly simple leather bracelet. Here's how.
***Note: Please forgive my dry, snarly hands. I know I need lotion, but I can't stand the slimy feel of it.
Supplies:
Four 9" lengths of 1/8" wide deerskin leather lace (Hobby Lobby) or other very soft leather
One 2mm circumference hammered ring
small lobster clasp
2 small jump rings
Two 9mm crimp ends
beading glue
ruler
beading pliers
Directions:
Start with two of the leather strands. Find the middle of both and center the middle over the middle of your hammered ring.
Pull the ends around the back of the ring and through the loop of leather on the front, making sure that the shiny side of the leather (not the suede side) is the side you see. Pull tight. Repeat with the other two strands of leather on the other side.
Now center your brass ring, which is almost an inch wide, on your ruler. Measure from the ring about 2 3/4" and cut all the strands. This measurement is for a 7 1/2" bracelet. Adjust your length here if you want a smaller/larger bracelet.
On one end of your bracelet, gather all four ends of the leather into a nice neat stack.
Place your stack shiny side down into the crimp end lining up the ends of the leather with the top of the prongs.
Add a little bit of glue to the sides and top end of the leather/crimp end.
Using needle nose pliers, crimp one end down tightly over the leather. Then crimp the other end over. Give it a good squeeze and add a jump ring.
Repeat with the other end attaching the lobster clasp along with the jump ring.
This bracelet is so lightweight you'll hardly even know you have it on. Looks perfect with jeans and a t-shirt or more dressy attire. I'm pretty sure this will be my go-to bracelet for the spring/summer!
