leather wrap bracelets - untamed · pdf fileleather wrap bracelets blend bohemian influences...

Leather Wrap Bracelets 2012 Kim K. Mayne-Hatzold. All Rights Reserved.
http://untamedspiritstudios.com Page 1
Leather Wrap Bracelets
By Kim Hatzold, GG, AJP (GIA) You know the look! Leather wrap bracelets blend bohemian influences with sophisticated style. Theyre dramatic, brimming with color possibilities and rich texture. Wear them alone or pile them on to create your own signature statement. These artisan-crafted bracelets are perfect for mixing, matching and layering with other jewelry pieces. Cream-colored crystal pearls provide a lustrous, neutral accent that complements every outfit. Faceted gem-tone crystals add color and sparkle to your free-spirited bracelet mix. More kits are coming soon! Once youve completed your first bracelet, you'll be able to make the next one in just a couple hours. Follow along with my expert instruction and detailed photos. Soon, youll be making these gorgeous bracelets with wild abandon. Yes, this project is addictive in a good way! Enjoy, K.

Supply List Your kit includes: - Swarovski Crystal Beads
Crystal pearls or faceted gem-tone crystals. 4mm or 5mm round beads. Refer to Determine Your Bracelet Size for the approximate number of beads needed. Ive provided you with plenty.
- 1.5mm Round Leather Cord 1 meter (3 feet, 3 inches) is an ample length. Ive given you 2 meters.
- High-Performance Nylon Thread 4 feet of micro bead cord. Ive included an extra length.
- Flexible Beading Needles 3 flex needles are in your kit. You only need one, but these are easy to misplace.
- Sterling Silver Button Additional supplies needed: - Standard Size Clipboard with Low Profile Clip. Dimensions approximately 8 x 12. Look for rubber padding on clip edges.
Can be found at office supply stores or websites like Staples, Office Depot or Amazon. Im currently using Bazic Standard Size Hardboard Clipboard with Low Profile Clip that I purchased from http://amazon.com.
- Binder Clip
Medium size - 1 width. Also found at office supply stores. - 12 Straight Ruler with 1/16 Markings and Flexible Tape Measure
Favorite ruler: Schaedler Precision Ruler - http://schaedlerprecision.com - Item #46-IM. If your tape measure has 1/16 markings, you dont need a straight ruler. I use both because my tape measure only has 1/8 markings.
- G-S Jewelers Cement with Hypo Tip
Local bead stores usually carry hypo cement. You can also order it from a jewelry supply company, such as http://riogrande.com - Item #206083.
- Small Dish or Tray (to hold beads)
In the photos, Im using a 4 x 2 acrylic tray from http://firemountaingems.com - Item #H20-2614PK.
- Scissors
http://amazon.com/http://schaedlerprecision.com/http://riogrande.com/http://firemountaingems.com/

Getting Started 1. Cut your leather cord in half so you have two pieces that are 3 feet, 3 inches long. You only need one piece for this project. Ive given you a second length in case something goes awry and you want to start your bracelet from the beginning again. 2. Fold the piece of leather that youre working with in half. Then, press the folded section with your fingers to create a slight bend that marks the center. 3. Thread your leather through the button. If your button has a shank, thread one end of the leather through the shank until it reaches the center. Check that your tails are generally even. If you have a two-hole button, thread the leather ends down through the buttonholes at the same time. Check that your tails are generally even.
Tip: If youre working with regular dyed leather that has a finish coating, you may need to cut the leather ends at an angle before threading them through the buttonholes. The leather can be slightly wider than 1.5mm at the factory cut ends.
4. Tie an overhand knot next to the button. To form a knot that looks like mine, hold the button - facing downward - between the tip of your left index finger and the middle of your left thumb. Keep the leather strands in alignment as you guide the tails down behind your thumb. Continue wrapping the tails around the end of your thumb until theyre pointing down again. You now have a complete loop.
Next, feed the leather tails (left to right) through the front side of the loop, which is resting against your thumbnail. When the overhand knot is loosely formed, you can let go of the button. As you tighten the knot, guide it towards the buttons edge. The top edge of the knot should sit next to the outside edge of the button when the tails are pulled to one side.

5. Open the clipboards clip. Secure the button under the rubber pad on the left side of the clip. To make sure your project matches the lessons images, position the button facing upward with the lower angle of the overhand knot pointing left. 6. Fasten the leather tails to the bottom of the clipboard with the binder clip. You want the tension to be taut but loose enough that you can comfortably slide your index finger underneath the two strands.

7. Place the clipboard lengthwise in front of you with the secured button on your left hand side. You're going to work from left to right as you thread on your beads. 8. Count out the desired number of beads and place them in your dish. Refer to the size chart to determine the approximate number of beads needed. Im using 5mm crystal pearls in the lessons images, so I put 29 beads in my dish for a 6 wrist size.
Tip: If youre working with the crystal pearls, see the special supplement for key information on sorting and threading. 9. Retrieve one length of nylon thread from its poly bag. Youre going to anchor your thread to the bottom piece of leather by tying two knots.
Your first knot is a half knot. Begin by guiding one end of your thread between the two leather strands and underneath the lower cord. Form an open loop around the lower cord with your thread tails. I hold the short tail to the left of the long tail.

Next, pass the short tail over the long tail and through the loop. (Give yourself 4 to 5 of length for the short tail so the next knot is easier to tie.) Position the half knot 3/16 away from the outside edge of your leather knot. Once in place, tighten the half knot so it doesn't move.
Tip: Why is 3/16 important? Leaving this open space allows the first bead to fit properly between the two strands of leather cord. If your measurement is on the short side, the first bead will pop out of place rather than staying in line with the subsequent beads. Its better to err on the side of making the space of bit longer than 3/16. The second knot is a barrel knot. This knot is similar to a half knot, except the short thread tail passes over the long tail and through the loop two times. Before starting the barrel knot, check that your half knot is still tight against the leather. Next, form an open loop above the half knot with your thread tails. Once again, I hold the short tail to the left of the long tail. Guide the short tail over the long tail and through the loop twice. Then, tighten the barrel knot over the half knot.

The knot group should sit tight against the leather when you're done. If your knot group slides along the leather, you have enough thread to cut off the errant knots and tie them again.
10. Push the short thread tail to the clipboards outside edge so its out of your workspace. At the end of the project, you'll cut off this tail after you glue your knot. 11. Thread your flexible needle onto the longer tail. To thread your almost invisible needle with ease, bring the needle to the thread. With your left thumb and index finger, grasp the thread near its cut edge. Then, holding the needle in your right hand, slide the eye over the threads end.
12. Pull about 18 of thread through the eye of the needle - doubling it. This reduces the excess length that you have to deal with when stringing on your beads. Leave approximately 6 of single thread exposed at the bottom (between your knot group and the doubled portion). This single strand is your working thread. Note: Throughout the project, youll continue to adjust the section of thread that's doubled so you always have several inches of single thread at the bottom to work with. Great! Youre ready to start stringing on your beads!

The First Bead 13. String on your first bead. The eye of the flexible needle will narrow as it passes through the beads drill hole, so dont be alarmed if you have to tug on the first bead to pull it over the eye. The flexible needle will pass easily through the subsequent beads. If you're using crystal pearls, remember to thread up through the larger drill hole. 14. Pull the first bead down the threads length and position it between the two leather strands.
15. Hold the bead in place by pressing down on it with the side of your left thumb as you continue the sti

leather wrap bracelets - untamed · pdf fileleather wrap bracelets blend bohemian influences...

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