Braided Leather Bracelet
by Katie Hacker

Leather and crystals are made for each other! Create your own flower from crystals and wire, then use it to embellish a gorgeous braided leather cuff.

Materials & Tools for the bracelet:
5-ply braided leather in pearl
Glue-n-Go end cap/fold-over clasp
Scissors
Loctite Gel (or other industrial strength adhesive)

Materials & Tools for the flower:
6 indicolite 6x9mm and one 6mm pearl Swarovski Elements from Dreamtime Creations
18” length of 24-gauge silver Artistic Wire
1” antique silver filigree
wire cutters

Instructions:

1. For the bracelet: Measure your wrist to determine the desired length of the bracelet – be sure to include the clasp!
2. Cut the leather braid to the desired length and glue an end cap to each end, making sure that the clasp is facing the right direction.
3. For the flower: String a teardrop crystal a couple of inches from one end of the wire.
4. Fold the long wire toward the crystal's point and twist the wires together to form one petal.
5. String another crystal onto the wire and repeat the technique from Step 4 to form another petal; repeat for six petals total.
6. String a pearl onto the long wire and pass it across the front center of the flower.
7. Twist the wires together at the back of the flower, then bring the long wire forward and wrap it around the pearl for a little extra flair.
8. Press the wire ends through the filigree position it at the center of the braid.
9. Press the wires through the braid and wrap them around the braid several times to hold the filigree in place.
10. Cut off any extra wire and press the wire ends into the braid to prevent snags.

Tip: You can also stitch or rivet onto braided leather. The texture of the braid provides a beautiful background for a variety of styles.
 

From Milan to New York to Paris and every runway in-between, Leather Cord USA leathers are chosen by major designers worldwide. All of the cording is made from the most superior skins available. The dyes are exclusively made by the world’s leaders in dyes and commercial coloring and are free of lead, AZO’s and carcinogenic chemicals.