How to Make Leather Bracelets

Tired of paying high prices for leather jewelry you could easily make? Then get out your crafting gear, and make your own leather bracelets from scratch! The process is easy, and you will be left with a handmade, sophisticated piece of jewelry. Try one of these five techniques for making your own leather bracelet at home, and show off your creative sense of style.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Making a Beaded Leather Bracelet

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You can find leather supplies at most craft stores or online. To create a beaded leather bracelet, you will need leather chord or strips, as well as beads with holes large enough to fit the leather.
Cut 2 strands of leather cord or strips with scissors. When crafting leather bracelets, you can estimate the length by wrapping the strand around your wrist and adding a few more inches to the overall length to compensate for a tie.
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Tie the strands together at 1 end with a secure knot, leaving a bit of leather on the end for tying the bracelet around your wrist. For the easiest beading process, tape one end to a tabletop or pin it to your pant leg.
Place a single bead onto one of the strings and slide it to the base of the knot.
The leather chord should slide in the same bead from the opposite side. This will create a loop around the bead, securing it in place. This process will be done for every bead added.
Continue adding beads to your bracelet by sliding a single bead up one of the strands, and then pulling the same strand through the center in the opposite direction. Do this until your bracelet is long enough to wrap around your entire wrist.
Use a basic knot to tie off the other end of your bracelet. Remove the tape from the opposite end, and tie the tails together around your wrist to finish off your piece of jewelry.^{[1]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Making a Braided Leather Bracelet

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This bracelet can be made from any three strips of leather - either chord or full pieces of the material. For a more bohemian look, use thick leather strips. A polished look can be accomplished by using leather chord.
Wrap the leather around your wrist to determine how long to cut your pieces. Cut 3 strips of leather cord or strip with scissors.
Tie a regular knot at one end of the strips, securing them together. Attach the strands to a table with sticky tape or use a safety pin to pin the leather to your pant leg.
Wrap the right cord and set it over the left cord. The braiding used for this simple bracelet is the same used for hair.
The second step is to move the piece from the far left, and place it over the center. It will now be the new center strip.
Move the piece from the far right over the center strip. This is the same step as the first one.
Following with the same pattern, move the left piece of leather over the center piece.
Braid the leather strips until they've reached a length long enough to wrap around your entire wrist. Smooth out the leather wrap to flatten out the braids.
Secure the strands with a regular knot, and then remove the sticky tape and place the wrap around your wrist.Tie the two ends together and cut off any excess you may have.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Making a Leather Cuff

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To create a leather cuff, you will need strips of tooled leather, leather glue, a leather needle, waxed linen thread, and a button snap or clasp for the ends of the bracelet.
Use a ruler to measure a strip of leather 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide, by the length of your wrist plus one inch. Cut the leather to size with a pair of sharp scissors or utility knife.
Attach your cut and sized leather to a larger, tooled piece of leather with leather glue. Use your fingers to smooth out any wrinkles, and allow it to dry overnight. Adding a second layer of leather to your bracelet will give a more finished look.
Trim the edge off the tooled leather to make it the same size as your original strip. You should now be left with a nearly completed double-sided leather strip.
Use a leather needle and waxed linen thread to stitch the cuff together. Any stitch is appropriate; the stitching is simply securing the edges of the leather and giving a more sophisticated look.
Use your needle and thread or the leather glue to secure your clasps to either end. With the completion of this step, you're finished!

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Making a Friendship Leather Bracelet

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For this bracelet, you will need thin leather strips or chords, leather or fabric glue, a needle, and embroidery floss in multiple colors. You will also need scissors to cut both the leather and the thread. Clasps are optional.
Wrap a single piece of leather around your wrist, and add 2-3 extra inches to the length. The extra leather will be used to tie the ends together when the bracelet is completed. Cut the leather to size.
Tape down one end of the strip to a table top, about two inches from the end.
Dab a bit of glue to the leather, and then wrap a piece of embroidery floss around it. Wrap the embroidery floss tightly around the strip for as long as you would like, before switching to your next color. When you finish, add another dab of glue and cut off the excess embroidery floss.
Follow the same process as above by dabbing on a bit of glue to the leather, and then wrapping a new color of embroidery floss around the strip. Continue wrapping the floss as far as you would like, and then dab on some more glue and cut off the excess.
Add as much floss as you would like to your bracelet to give it a bit of color. You may choose to wrap the entire leather strip, or only a bit of it; the choice is up to you!
When you've added as much thread to your bracelet as you would like, thread the end of the floss through a needle, and cut off all of the string except for about 1 inch. Thread the needle under the embroidery floss that you've already wrapped around the leather. Pull the needle out the other side, leaving the tail end of the thread hidden under the wrappings.
If you want to add clasps to your bracelet, attach them to the ends of the leather strands at this point. Otherwise, simply tie the ends together around your wrist, and you're finished!^{[2]XResearch source}

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Making a Studded Leather Bracelet

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A studded leather bracelet requires strips of tooled leather, assorted studs, an x-acto knife, a hammer, a snap-on clasp, and scissors.
Wrap the leather strip around your wrist, and add an additional inch to the measurement. Use the scissors to cut the strip to length, and cut off the corners to round off the ends.
Take your studs and arrange them how you like over the leather bracelet. When you've gotten them just where you want them to be, gently poke the leather with the prongs from the stud. Doing this will not pierce the leather, but leave a small indent.
Use the x-acto knife to cut small slits where the prongs indented the leather. These cuts need only be wide enough for the prongs to be inserted through; cutting them too wide will show up on the finished project.
Slide each of the studs through the slits you have cut. The prongs will stick out the back end. Twist them around just how you like them before securing them in place.
Flip the leather strip over and use your hammer to bend down the prongs. If there are two prongs on the back of each stud, hammer them down in opposite directions.
To create the clasp, add the snap-on buttons to either end of the bracelet. These may have prongs that can be slid through the leather and hammered down like the studs, or they may need to be glued in place.
Use the snaps to secure the bracelet on your wrist. Adjust any studs that may have gotten twisted around or moved out of place. Your bracelet is finished! Show off your new style by making several and stacking them.^{[3]XResearch source}

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Question
Where can I purchase a roll of thin, leather cord online?
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Most craft and jewelry supply stores carry thin leather cord. Try Jo-Ann, Michaels, or even Amazon.
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Can you use other material? If so, what kind?
Community Answer
The closest equivalent would be vinyl. You can get many types in leather looks (search for vegan leather). Some people have also had success with using some types of rubber (like wheel inner tubes) as an alternative. Basically, you want something that is not woven like most fabrics, as they will require much more work to finish the edges and keep them from fraying.
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How do you make an engraved leather bracelet?
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To engrave, or 'tool' the leather, you will need to specifically buy 'veg tanned' or tooling leather. Normal chrome-tanned leather will not mark well.
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When making wrap bracelets with leather, remember to leave a 2-3 inch gap before cutting the leather to make provision for mistakes.
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