Tag: Leather

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.

Leather Cord Instead of Chain

A quick search on Pinterest for leather cord jewelry will pull up hundreds of great images and inspiration for leather projects.

Our genuine leather cord is available in many wonderful colors.  It is an ideal replacement for chain when designing necklaces and bracelets.

Leather cord can be tied together for fast no-clasp peices.  You can also use a number of unique products to finish the edge of the cord to make wearable jewelry quickly too!

We have over a dozen options to share with you.

  1.  Bend your leather cord and wrap with wire to make loops that can go over buttons and other clasps.

2.  Use end caps that are attached by flattening the mid section with pliers.  Finished jewelry looks high end and the end caps can be linked with jump rings to clasps, charms, tassels and more.

We have a small assortment of these end caps left in stock linked here.

We also sell a revolving version of these that are beautiful and linked here.

3.  These end caps “pinch” into place.  A little dab of glue keeps it more secure.

They are linked here.

4.  Leather crimps are the most common way to finish a cord.  We have a wide assortment of sizes so that more than one cord can be crimped too!  Linked here.

 

5.  Traditional glue on end caps in small sizing for leather is also very popular.  Many people glue several cords into one end.  We have end caps for one cord and more here.

6.  The coil loop is visible on lots of leather cord designs.  While you could make these yourself with wire, sometimes it is nice to have them finished and ready to attach with glue.  Linked here.

7.   We have some decorative crimps that act in the same way #2 on this list works.  These caps have a mid section that you flatten with pliers.  This grips and holds the leather cord in place.  Their design are meant to be seen and featured.

These crimp ends are also available in sterling silver.  Leafs linked here.

8.  Glue-on magnetic clasps make your peice instantly wearable.  The ends are finished and the clasp is easy to open and close.  Our entire collection is linked here but you will need the caps you can glue-on.

9.  The plug-in clasp tube is also a great option for finishing a cord.  The link is here.

 

10.  A knot is also acceptable for finished leather cord jewelry.  No tools, no components!

11.  A bead plus a knot is even better for a finish.

12.  Of course, knotting more than one cord creates a fridge effective.  Also, take a moment to google “sliding knot” for one of the most common additions to leather cord jewelry.  There is a video explaining the knot right here.

 

13.  Leather cord plus a bead also creates a button style clasp.  Easy and no tools required.

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.

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

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

Leather sheets  Tooling Leather

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

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Leather Badges template

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

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

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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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

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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.

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Creativity on The Catwalk Show – The Global Jet-Setter Look

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Our Global Chic product line was beautifully captured in this picture from the “Creativity on the Catwalk” fashion shows in the UK last month at CHSI Stitches. (Photo from CHSI)

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Our Creative Director, Fernando DaSilva designed an “out of the ordinary collection of jewelry that is delightfully different, chic and of course trendsetting.”  Here is a closer look at just one of the six models he styled.  The unique embroidered dresses were hand picked by Fernando in Brazil in January.

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Fernando combined a traditional caftan with one of a kind art jewelry.  Sandra Baumgartena is the perfect model for this look because she radiates confidence.  The look implies that she loves drama and texture and Fernando believed if she walked into Diane von Fürstenberg’s office she’d be hired in a moment!

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Sandra’s cuff prominently features wire and beaded flowers hand crafted by Lena Gillespie of Purple Lace Designs.  Her beautiful wirework uses our Tropical Punch flower maker as the centre.

Fernando used our leather sheets to wrap a brass cuff with hand stitched edging and a faux suede lining.  Lovely knots chocolate cord was used for the stitching.

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Leather strips are riveted in place to attach the flowers using the rings already soldered to the back of the flower maker.

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The earring are also show stoppers.

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Filigree is set with a Swarovski crystal stone.  Global Chic semi precious teardrop beads and gold chain tassels create the dramatic dangles.  These earrings could easily be turned into pendants as well.

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The Global Jet-Setter look was completed with the addition of these Czech rings which were already handmade and are being sold in our John Bead Outlet.

This is post three in our series.

Look One – Golden Butterscotch can be viewed here.

Look Two – Wild Boho can be reviewed here.

Kumihimo With Many Types of Stringing Material

My agate slab pendant is the inspiration for this kumihimo cord made with rattail, hemp, suede lace and cotton waxed cord.

The colours in the pendant are just stunning.

I gathered all the stringing material that would highlight the colours the best and set up my kumihimo round braid disk for a lovely hour of braiding.

I used Agate Slab Pendant with Pewter/Turquoise Setting

Sea Blue Cotton Wax Cord

Sea Green Suede Lace

Aqua Blue Dazzle-It Rattail

Silver Dazzle-It Rattail

Pastel Colours Dazzle-It Hemp

The suede lace was a wonderful new addition for me.  I did break the strand at one point and was happy a small knot could repair it so the braiding continued.

When my braid was the length I wanted I tied each edge.

I used my favorite new glue to attach a 7mm kumihimo end cap.  This cord is thinner than others I have made, so I am happy there are three different sizes of end caps to choose from.

You will love all the Agate slabs in the John Bead collection.

Shamballa Bracelets

It seems as though everyone is sporting a knotted bracelet these days.  The “shamballa bracelet” is the reference I have been seeing in fashion articles.  I found in my research that shamballa can be spelled differently and for some people has a symbolic or religious meaning.  For others, the bracelet is a series of Chinese or macrame knots with no symbolism.

Google the word shamballa.  You’ll be amazed at what you’ll see.  Sample after sample!

So, by looking at online imagery I decided to see if I could make a bracelet too!

All you need is some cord/string and some interesting beads.  AND…you need to know how to do a square knot.  I just learned how to make that knot yesterday!

My first bracelet features a longer series of knots and three rhinestone beads.

These RHINESTONE BEADs are available in many different sizes and colours.

I used 12mm ANT.COPPER/ CRYSTAL AB

I happened to have LEATHER GENUINE CORD in my stash so I opted to use this as my stringing material.

Since I only used three beads in my first bracelet I decided to make a second bracelet with the remaining seven beads.  I REALLY love how this looks!  Shamballa is a trend right now…why not make or teach someone to make a bracelet soon!

Take a peak at all the rhinestone components in the John Bead catalog.

Here is a link to a online video showing a square knot:

http://youtu.be/I0SqmQNV2yU