Browsing Tag

leather cuff bracelet

DIY Multi Strand Leather Charm Bracelet

December 8, 2015

One of my favorite combinations when making bracelets is leather and charms! When deciding what color of leather to use, I chose turquoise because it’s a color that always calms me – plus it seems to work for all seasons. It reminds me of the beach where I would love to be! I decided to make this a multi strand bracelet because the stacked bracelet look is such a huge trend right now. To make your own version of this multi strand leather charm bracelet, read on. It’s easier than you think! Continue Reading…

DIY Leather Bracelets: Setting Rivets and Eyelets

February 19, 2015

I love leather cuff bracelets! Whether I wear one alone, or layer them with other metal and leather bracelets, I think they are always in style. They are bohemian, and can be in funky bright colors or subdued earth tones. With the large selection of pre-made cuffs we sell, the possibilities are endless! I made a few examples using the TierraCast eyelet setting tool and eyelets to show you! Check out how to make them below!
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How To Set Eyelets in Leather

January 29, 2014

Eyelets in leather jewelry can be both decorative and functional. Whether you want to add an industrial punk look to a leather bracelet, explore a new way to finish a choker, or find new alternatives to add embellishments, eyelets offer a clean and finished look to jewelry! With Rings & Things new EXCLUSIVE Leather Embellishing Kit, some leather and a little creativity is all you’ll need!

Here are simple step-by-step instructions for setting eyelets in a leather bracelet…

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How to Make Leather Bracelets – Two Finishing Methods

August 12, 2013

In this do-it-yourself jewelry-making tutorial, the bracelet blanks from last week’s blog post, “Customizing Tim Holtz idea-ology® Word Bands for a Handmade Look”, combine with Rings & Things’ new leather strips to make two styles of leather cuffs.

 

How to make a leather bracelet with metal stamped word band blanks.

Combine a customized bracelet blank with one of the many colors of Rings & Things’ leather strips to create a handmade leather bracelet.

 

Leather Bracelet Style One – A Single-Wrap Bracelet with Drawstring Clasp:

“In the Moment Leather Cuff Bracelet”

Tutorial: how to make a leather bracelet with drawstring clasp; a step-by-step DIY jewelry project.

Step 1: Gather together the supplies you will need to make a drawstring clasp leather bracelet.

You will need the following tools and supplies:

ruler

cutting mat

hobby knife

rotary leather hole punch

1/2″ wide leather strip

3mm suede lace

5-ply waxed linen cord

large-hole bead (hole size 4mm)

customized Tim Holtz idea-ology® word bands

Sharpie®, Extra Fine Point

 

Make a DIY leather bracelet: Cut the leather strip with a hobby knife.

Step 2: Cut the leather strip to length. Size the leather so it fits comfortably on the wrist, ends butted together; mark the leather at the cut length. Use a ruler and hobby knife to make a straight cut at the mark.

 

Tutorial Leather Strip Bracelet D

Step 3: Measure and mark the position of the holes to be punched (it is easiest to do this before you curve the word band). Mark two “stitching” holes on either side of the two word-band loops. Also mark a “lacing” hole set 1/4th inch from each leather end.

 

How to make holes in leather with a rotary leather hole punch.

Step 4: Use a rotary leather hole punch to cut holes in the leather strip at the marked positions. Use the smallest punch (2mm) to punch the stitching holes for the bracelet blank; use the largest punch (4.5mm) to punch the lacing holes for the drawstring closure.

 

How to attach a metal-stamped bracelet blank to a leather cuff using waxed linen cord.

Step 5: Align the bracelet blank with the punched stitching holes and stitch each side in place. The waxed linen cording is stiff enough to go through the 2mm holes without a needle. After making two or three stitches, pull the cord tight and secure with a knot on the backside of the bracelet.

 

How to make an adjustable drawstring closure for a leather cuff bracelet.

Step 6: To create the drawstring closure, lace the suede cord through one hole and then back out, so the cord tails are on the outside of the cuff. String both cord ends through the large hole bead. Combine both cord ends and make an overhand knot approximately 2″ from the cuff. Slide the bead to tighten or loosen the cuff.

 

How to use a drawstring closure on a handmade leather cuff.

“Live in the Moment” leather-cuff bracelet with drawstring clasp is ready to wear.

 

Leather Bracelet Style Two – A Double-Wrap Bracelet with Hitch Clasp:

“The Journey Leather Wrap Bracelet”

 

How to make a double-wrap leather cuff bracelet--you will need these supplies.

Step 1: Gather together the supplies you will need to make a double-wrap leather cuff bracelet with hitch fastener.

You will need the following tools and supplies:

ruler

Sharpie®, Extra Fine Point

cutting mat

hobby knife

rotary leather hole punch

screwdriver

1/2″ wide leather strip

idea-ology®, Hitch Fasteners

5-ply waxed linen cord

customized Tim Holtz idea-ology® word bands

 

How to make a double-wrap bracelet cuff--size and cut the leather strip.

Step 2: Cut the leather strip to length. Size the leather so it fits comfortably wrapped twice around the wrist; add one inch for the closure overlap. Mark the leather at the cut length. Use a ruler and hobby knife to make a straight cut at the mark.

 

How to make a leather cuff bracelet--measuring and marking for hole punching.

Step 3: Measure and mark the position of the holes to be punched (it is easiest to do this before you curve the word band). Place the leather on your wrist and determine approximate placement for the metal blank. Mark two “stitching” holes on either side of the two word-band loops. Also mark a “hitch” hole set 1/4th inch from the first leather end and 1/2 inch from the second end.

 

How to make a leather cuff bracelet--punching holes for a hitch fastener closure.

Step 4: Use a rotary leather hole punch to create holes in the leather strip at the marked positions. Use the smallest punch (2mm) to punch the stitching holes for the bracelet blank; use the largest punch (4.5mm) to punch the fastener holes for the hitch closure.

 

How to attach a metal-stamped bracelet blank to a leather cuff using waxed linen cord.

Step 5: Align the bracelet blank with the punched stitching holes and use waxed linen cord to attach the word band blank to the bracelet. Stitch the blank in place and knot the cord on the back side. For ease, a large sewing needle can be used.

 

How to make a hitch style clasp for a DIY leather cuff bracelet.

Step 6 a: On one end hole insert the screw side of the hitch fastener.

 

How to make a hitch style clasp for a DIY leather cuff bracelet.

Step 6 b: Attach and screw the hitch in place. From the backside, use a flat-head screw driver to tighten the hitch.

 

How to make a hitch style clasp for a DIY leather cuff bracelet.

Step 7 a: On the other end hole, use the hobby knife to cut 1/8″ slits on opposite sides of the hole, running parallel to the strip length. This will allow the hitch to slip into the hole, but stay securely in place.

 

How to make a hitch style clasp for a DIY leather cuff bracelet.

Step 7 b: Insert the hitch through the hole to close the fastener.

 

How to make a leather wrap bracelet with metal stamped blank --ready to wear.

“The Journey Leather Wrap Bracelet” is ready to wear!

 

Layer bracelets for a trendy look.

Bracelets can be worn together for a layered look.

 

Make things,

Mollie

 

Easy to Make Lashed Rhinestone and Leather Bracelet

July 10, 2013

Learn to make a rhinestone and leather bracelet in just minutes.

Create wrapped bracelets with this simple lashing technique.

Making wrapped bracelets just got easier because this simple lashing technique takes just minutes to learn.  You can combine leather cord with rhinestone chain for a sophisticated style or use ball chain and leather for an industrial look.

Continue Reading…

The Man Cuff: How to make a Manly Etched Metal and Leather Cuff

September 10, 2012

The Man Cuff. The perfect gift for that hard to shop for guy in your life!

As a jewelry maker, one of the most difficult things for me to do is make men’s jewelry. I think it is just my instinct to make things that are pretty and feminine. My husband has been begging me to make him a “cool” bracelet for years. I always kind of shrug off his request, but keep the idea simmering on the way back burner. Recently I began etching metal, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally make something masculine. Etching metal gives you the freedom to incorporate any design into your work, even manly ones.

For this bracelet, I am going to briefly show how to etch metal using ferric chloride acid. If you plan on etching metal, I highly recommend that you read through our metal etching blog and all the safety guidelines associated with etching metal.

You can also do this project by using metal stamps to create phrases or designs, if you are not ready to dive head first into etching.

Items needed to make this bracelet:

To start this project, first etch the metal piece that will be the center of the bracelet. The way that the etching process works, acid eats away at the metal where there is no ink. Therefore, you can stamp any image onto your brass or copper sheet metal, and any exposed metal will be etched. I have done a wood grain pattern for this bracelet, but any masculine image would work. It seems like images of fish, guns, tools, bicycles, or anything sports-related would work well, depending on the hobbies of the recipient.

Use permanent ink to put your desired image on the metal. Make sure your metal is clean and free of any oils or dirt before stamping. I like to use a kitchen scrubbie to make sure it’s really clean first.


I made six pieces at once, by stamping first with the rubber stamp, then outlining the areas with a permanent black marker. If you want to make just one piece I would aim for dimensions around 1 by 2 inches. Also, make sure to cover the back of the metal with permanent ink.


Place the metal on packing tape and float it in a bath of ferric chloride, just enough so all the metal is touching the liquid. Remember to use gloves, safety glasses and read through the safety guidelines first! For a detailed explanation of how to use this product please read our blog on etching and on safety considerations when etching.


After about 30 minutes in the solution, your design will be etched nicely into the metal. Use baking soda, a scrubbie and warm water to clean your metal in a plastic container. Make sure to wear gloves. You can keep the remaining acid to etch more metal later; the acid will etch 3 or 4 times (or even more! but it takes a bit longer each time you use it). When it has lost all etching power, it must be brought to a waste disposal facility. Do not throw it away with the garbage or down the drain! Do you really want to find out what happens to your house when you etch the pipes?


Cut your piece using metal shears (if you only made one piece, you could have done this step before etching) and file the edges smooth. The image won’t show up very well yet, but after it is darkened with patina it will be easy to see.


Blacken the metal by dabbing on a little Novacan Black patina solution. I usually just use a cotton ball or paper towel to apply it. Rinse the piece in water, and then use a fine sanding sponge or steel wool to remove the patina on the raised parts of the metal.


Use a metal hole punch to make four holes on the corners of the etched piece of metal.


Bend the metal using H. If you don’t have these pliers, you can get a curve by bending the metal over a can of soup. It doesn’t work quite as well, but it will get the job done.


Place your piece of metal over the leather bracelet cuff. Use a small pen or marker to mark where the holes are onto the leather.


Using the metal hole punch, punch holes into the leather where you marked it.


Use a
needle and thread to secure the metal to the leather. I like to use
Superlon thread and a Big Eye needle, since I can never thread a beading needle.


I secured the metal by going around 7 times and then tying the two threads together tight on the back of the bracelet. Cut the thread short and for extra security add a dab of glue onto the knot.


Completed Bracelet! These leather blanks are great because they have two size adjustments and come in a variety of colors.


The Man Cuff

Well I hope I have inspired you to make something masculine! But of course you can still make these girly if you want with flowers and unicorns. That is the beauty of etching! Feel free to ask me any questions you might have about what I have done here.

~~Tiffany

If you are loving this leather cuff, here are a few more free jewelry-making designs from the Rings & Things Design Gallery:

“Having a Ball Bracelet” created by Rings & Things designer Valorie Nygaard-Pouzar.

“Palomita Wrapped Leather Bracelet” created by Rings & Things designer Polly Nobbs-LaRue.

“Tough Girl Rhinestone Chain and Leather Bracelet” created by Rings & Things designer Rita Hutchinson.

The easiest braided leather cuff bracelet ever

July 26, 2011

The magic braided cuff bracelet.

Hi bloglandia! I came across this great Magic Braided Leather tutorial today and immediately had to try it with our pre-made leather cuff bracelets. In less than 5 minutes I had a finished braided bracelet! Here’s how you can make your own:

Plain bracelet: the “before” shot.

Supplies:

  1. Leather cuff bracelet (mine is 0.5″ wide, dark brown)
  2. Sharp hobby knife

How to:

  1. Cut two slits in the bracelet blank, so that there are three strips or “strands.” (My strands are woefully uneven…I thought holding a ruler down next to the blade would help me cut a straight line, but the opposite occurred. I had much better luck just free handing.)
  2. Braid the three strands together. The bottom will get all twisted and tangly. Just ignore that until you’ve braided halfway.
  3. Then, holding your braid securely, untangle the bottom section by feeding the bottom bracelet end up through the tangle: “reverse braiding” if you will. It only takes 2 or three “reverse” maneuvers to make the bracelet straighten out.
  4. Then…just continue braiding. Untwist the bottom as needed and like magic the whole piece is one continuous braid!

Ta da! The “magic” braid.

As it gets worn, the leather braid will flatten out and get smoother, but I’m pretty happy with it as it is! ~ Cindy