Leather Works – Welcome to the Blog for John Bead Corporation: Beads, Crystals, Components and Carnival

Working With Leather Cord

There are many great options for finishing your projects with leather cording.

A Pewter End Cap is really pretty. You simply flatten the middle of the finding with pliers.

This is also a pewter end cap with four leaves. We recommend a small dab of glue on the end of your leather cord and then carely press the leaves together over the cord.

This is a medium sized leather crimp. You place the cord in the centre and fold the two flaps tight over the cord.

These are stainless steel end caps. End caps are available in many sizes and they will work with the the thinnest to the widest cords. You glue the cord into the cap.

These are called “coil with loop.” You glue the cord into the coil. The loop makes it easy to either add a clasp or jumpring for a closure.

This is a more decorative crimp end. You slide the cord through the backside and flatten the one or all three round coils to keep the cord in place. Our collection of crimps is here.

These pretty crimps come in different sizes, so it is good to know the thickness of the cord you will be working with.

Lets not forget that a simple knot is a classic style for leather cord projects.

This is a “magnetic tube clasp“. You glue your cord into the two components that make the clasp and you have a finished piece in minutes. Tube clasps are available in many sizes, so being aware of your cord thickness is important. You can see all our magnetic tube clasps here.

This is a simpler “Tube clasp” without the magnet. It works the same and as long as you know your cord thickness you can get the right sized tube clasp set to work with. Our collection is here.

If you have time to google or go to YouTube you will see lots and lots of how-tos explaining how to add macrame knots to finish jewelry. We have a square knot step by step right here.

A popular way to create a finished piece with leather cord is by using the “sliding knot.” We have a step by step for that technique here.

Adding a bead to the end of a leather cord is also a great addition. It can also act as a clasp.

Wire wrapping the ends is also a nice finish. Simply leave enough space so that you have an opening which can act as a clasp as well.

Create Your Own Badge With Leather and Beads

John Bead Beaded and Leather Badges!

Earlier this year we shared some images of the “make and take” project John Bead presented at the winter trade shows. These leather and bead badges were very popular so we are sharing our step by step with you.

Color has meaning and we chose to focus on five unique palettes.

The leather badge was created utilizing tooling leather for the shaped background and leather sheets for the stripe.

We have attached the PDF created by our Marketing department so you can make your own.

Leather-Badges-template

Leather Badges template

It is helpful to have a leather punch so you can make holes for the pins to go through.

We also provided some leather crafting tools so that the leather edges received some detailing. This is the leather edge beveler.

Each badge featured one of these kilt pins. There are three open spots to hang an embellishment or charm on.

Beads we have an abundance of! We provided a selection of gorgeous Czech glass beads for our make and takes along with eye pins and jump rings. We think everyone really enjoyed creating their own bead charms/dangles. We also had some tiny metal spacers available for anyone wanting to add some metallic shimmer.

Although we had a color palette for inspiration we noticed quite quickly that some participants wanted to select their own colors. That worked out really well too!

We also gave our participants one more opportunity to embellish their pins since there was a little extra space available before setting the kilt pin onto the leather badge.

I think the extra beads made the top look extra special.

This is an easy make and take to set up. It is a great way to use up smaller beads and leftovers. We hope you enjoy making your own badges, with and without, a leather badge background. The kilt pins are perfect for all awareness campaigns.

IMG_8783 copy IMG_8739 copy

New TierraCast!

Our new TierraCast components work beautifully with our soft leather collection. These bracelets designed by Fernando DaSilva also feature Tropical Punch Lucite sliders.

Soft Leather

Soft leather!

Tropical Punch Lucite Sliders.

Leather Crafting For the Catwalk – Post Five

Here is a closer look at a necklace that went down the catwalk during the “Goddesses and Gladiators” runway show in the United Kingdom.

The necklace was designed by Fernando DaSilva exclusively for the Craft & Hobby Stitch International Show.

The Latest from John Bead – New Leather Sheets, Tools, Snaps and Rivets

Our Leather Works program has grown to include several new and much loved tools for leather crafting enthusiasts. We have a new Stitching and Lacing Pony, Rivet and Snap Setters, Edge Slickers and new Stitching Awl Bobbin replacements.

We know you will love our new selection of 8 x10 soft leather sheets. The rich range of colours will result in gorgeous finished leather projects.

We also have new snaps, double cap and rapid rivets in several sizes.

Stitching And Lacing Pony – New Leather Works Tool

We have another new tool for leather crafting enthusiasts. Our “Stitching & Lacing Pony” is a traditional tool allowing you to secure your project in place so you can use both hands to focus on lacing and sewing. You will be able to work a lot quicker to finish numerous projects with this tool.