How to Make Braided Leather Bracelets With Crystal Charms

Making a braided leather bracelet with charms is actually quite simple once you have the right supplies. One of the most satisfying things about learning to make jewelry is applying acquired techniques to new pieces. By learning to make a braided leather bracelet with crystal charms you can easily apply the techniques used to matching necklaces and other decorative items.

Things You'll Need

• 25 inches of leather cord
• Scissors
• Flat nose jewelry pliers
• Round nose jewelry pliers
• Metal clippers
• 6 crystal beads
• 6 jump rings
• 6 head pins
• 1 crimp clasp
• Flexible sewing tape measure

Instructions

Creating your bracelet

1. Find the right supplies. Leather cord comes in many varieties. Purchase at least 25 inches of cord in a width and color you like. Coordinate the width of the braided cord with a crimp clasp large enough to secure the ends of your braid. Find six crystal beads that compliment your leather cord. Choose headpins long enough to thread through each crystal bead with 1/2 cm of extra wire on the end. Make sure your jump rings are wide enough to thread through one strand of your cord.

2. Make the crystal charms. Thread the first crystal bead onto a headpin. You will be making a loop to secure the crystal dangle to one of your jump rings.If the wire at the end of the headpin is too long, use your metal clippers to cut the wire to the correct length. Grip the end of the headpin wire with your round nose pliers and bend the wire around the nose to create a loop, but do not close the loop yet. Slip a jump ring into the open loop and then pinch the loop closed. Repeat this process with your other crystal beads.

3. Prepare to braid the bracelet cord. Measure your wrist with the tape measure to find the correct length to cut your leather cord. Don't forget to account for the length of the clasp in your measurement. Cut three equal lengths of cord. Bunch the ends of your cut cord together on one end and push these ends into the hollow end of the crimp clasp. Pinch the hollow end of the clasp with your flat nosed pliers until the cord ends are secured. Start braiding the cord, adding charms at regular intervals. Add charms by threading one strand of the cord through the jump ring on the end of your crystal dangle, and then continue braiding to secure each charm in place.

4. Finish braiding your cord to the end and pinch the ends tightly. Slip the other end of your clasp over the ends of the braided cords. Pinch the hollow clasp end with the flat nosed pliers until the braided end is secured. You should have a braided leather bracelet with crystal dangles hanging along the braid at even intervals.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to use jewelry pliers instead of mechanic's pliers. Jewelry pliers have a smooth nose to prevent damage to the metal.

References

• FusionBeads.com: Beading Glossary
• ArtBeads.com: How to Use a Crimp End
• ArtBeads.com: How to Make a Simple Loop