Tutorial for a Leather Bead Wrap Bracelet
Beaded leather wrap bracelets have transformed from an obscure piece of jewelry into a trendy craft item. Sondra Barrington--jewelry designer, sales manager and writer at Rings and Things, reports "This style of wrapped leather bracelet is everywhere this season. Everywhere!" Avoid paying $100 or more for these bracelets by making them yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- 30 6-mm round beads with holes
- Leather cord, 2mm wide, 3 feet long
- Beading thread or beading wire, 4mm, 10 to 12 feet long
- Beading needle
- Scissors
- Bracelet clasp, bead or button
- Beading board or workspace
- 2 metal clamps or clothespins
- Tape
Instructions
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Select Your Materials
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1
Choose the beads for your bracelet, in a standard size 6-mm bead with a hole. Select from various bead materials such as wood, metal, glass, crystal, pearls or gemstones.
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2
Use leather cording, available in a variety of colors, 2-mm wide. For a single-wrap bracelet, cut a strand 1-mm long, about 3 feet long. Multiple the length, if you want double- or triple-wrap bracelets.
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3
Select the beading needle and thread, or the beading wire without needle. Test to see that the needle can go through the bead hole. Ensure that you can string four lines of thread or wire into the bead hole. Use a common size, such as a 6-mm bead with 0.92-hole size and 20-gauge wire.
Prepare for Beading
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4
Prepare a workspace or beading board to accommodate the beading process requiring 10- to 12-feet of thread or wire. Place your beads in a nearby shallow bowl or dish for easy access.
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5
Gather tape, metal clamps or clothespins for holding the bracelet in place as you string the beads. Consider using the outside of a large, sturdy cardboard box if need be.
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6
Cut 10- to 12- feet of thread or wire. Thread the needle and double knot the ends of the thread so for double strands. If you selected wire, double strand and double knot the ends without a needle.
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7
Hold the leather cord so that the two ends hang down. Make a small loop at the top of the double strands of leather. Hold the loop closed and make sure your button or clasp will fit though to secure the bracelet after you are finished beading.
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Place the knotted end of the thread or wire just above the leather loop. Secure the leather loop by tying the thread or wire to the bottom of the loop with an overhand knot. Secure the loop to your workspace with tape, metal clamps or clothespins.
Beading the Bracelet
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9
Arrange the two loose leather cords to run parallel down your work space. Clamp the ends of the cords down with tape, clothespins or metal clamps. Hold the two strands of thread or wire between the cords.
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10
Weave the strands under the right cord, over the right cord, under the left cord and over the left cord, in a basic figure eight design. Repeat five times to secure the top of the cords together. Finish with the strands under the left cord.
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Place a bead between the two leather cords, just below the top. Bring the double strands of thread or wire under the left cord, through the bead hole, over the right cord, under the right cord, through the bead hole again and over the left cord. Pull the thread or wire tight. Add the next bead and continue the figure 8 to add all the beads.
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12
Finish the bracelet by lashing the thread or wire without beads five times. Double knot the lashing. Slip the button or clasp onto the lashing and tie a double knot.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Work with a beading buddy to help prevent long strands from knotting.
Keep beads, needles, thread and scissors away from young children.
Resources
- Photo Credit Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
