How to Make a Kid's Leather Bracelet

Use wire cutters to cut the wire wrap around the end of the leather.

Man has been making belts, clothing, shoes and accessories from leather since prehistoric times. Worn by both men and women, leather accessories are timeless and sturdy. Thin pieces of leather can be braided to make a fashionable bracelet for either a boy or a girl. If the child is old enough to know how to braid, he can help you make the bracelet. If he doesn't know how to braid, this is a good project to learn with.

Things You'll Need

• 3 6-inch thin strips of leather, approximately 1/2-inch wide
• Wire
• Needle-nose pliers
• Wire cutters
• Clasps

Instructions

1. Lay three 6-inch thin strips of leather, approximately 1/2-inch wide next to each other. They can all be the same color or three different colors, depending on what your child prefers.

2. Wrap wire about eight times around the three pieces of leather. Cut the wire with wire cutters and bend the ends of the wire in toward the leather with pliers, so the wearer doesn't get poked with the ends.

3. Braid the leather in the traditional 3-strand braid style.

4. Wrap the wire around the three pieces of leather as you did in Step 2 when you reach the end of the leather.

5. Attach claps to each end of the braided bracelet. Squeeze the clasps closed with the needle-nose pliers.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a few beads to the bracelet as you are braiding if the bracelet is intended for a girl.

• Push the wires securely into the leather so the wearer does not get poked.

References

• The Beading Gem's Journal: How to Make Leather Jewelry Turorials
• Simply Leather: History of Leather
• Artists Helping Children: How to Make Bracelets

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish