Tag: Suede

The Tassel Trend

Row 1: ZAC Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen, Dries-Van-Noten, Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schoule
Row 2: Lanvin , Lanvin, Ben-Amun, Suzi Roher, Vivien Frank Designs
Row 3: AOS, Car Shoe, JewelMint, Alexander McQueen, Lanvin
Row 4: Alexander McQueen, MOSCHINO, ROSANTICA Salvador, La Droguerie,

Everywhere I look I see a tassel!  Have you noticed this trend as well? It would seem that everything looks a little more finished and beautiful with the addition of either a small or large tassel.

So I am thrilled to showcase the new faux suede tassel collection that is now at John Bead!

Fernando DaSilva designed this new set of jewelry to introduce the line to you.  The tassels combined with kumihimo and our new fancy chain looks so luxurious.  These pieces will definitely take you from day time to night time.   We’ll be featuring lots of tassels in the weeks ahead.

Beaded Edge Cuff

This will be my last ultra suede cuff sample for a bit.  I hope you enjoyed the earlier posts too!

I am turning the new John Bead ultra suede strips into cuffs with crystal snaps.  The Crystal Applicator allows me to add a snap closure in just seconds.  The teal cuff looks just gorgeous with the addition of the snap closure.

I decided I wanted to bead the edges of this cuff.  I marked all the holes I would need because a needle does not pass through the suede easily…it is better to have a hole already in place.  Then I wondered, what could I use to make the holes quickly?

I used my Metal Complex plier circle hole punch to make all my holes!  It was so quick and easy.  The plier was designed to make holes in metal…so ultra suede was super easy to punch through!  I used SWAROVSKI PETROL BLUE beads and Dazzle-it SILK in Navy Blue to sew them in place.

Goat Suede – Simply Braided

From the minute I got this sea green coloured goat suede I wanted to do something special with it.

The goat suede is so soft.  I opted to add some matching sea blue cotton wax cord to the braid to give it a little more strength.  You might see the cord in the picture above.  To start the braid I attached a nickle ribbon/cord end.

When I finished my braid I thought it still needed a little something extra.  Happily I found these matching square turquoise beads in my John Bead stash.

Oh, and here is a little tip I found online this week.  Do you struggle to get bracelets on by yourself? I do.

Just use this handy paper clip idea!

 

 

John Bead has every possible lobster clasp you might need.

I hope you get a chance to experiment with the goat suede soon!

Goat Suede as a Pendant

Since I started working with the new goat suede (I have 5 of ten colour options) I have accumulated a small bag of left over pieces. The suede is available in 3.5 or 5 ml widths.

I decided to do something with those leftovers.  I used silver leather crimps to finish the edges.  These crimps fold over perfectly.

I used one large jump ring to gather all my finished pieces.

For the necklace I used the black goat suede with some very beautiful components to complete my project.  1. Heart Crimp and 2. Pewter hook and loop clasp.

I have a fun and very lightweight necklace now.  Imagine if I add some bead, feathers and other components.  Goat suede is a wonderful stringing material but it stands alone too.

Braided Goat Suede and Leather Cord

This bracelet features one of the really great colours of goat suede now available at John Bead.  This is the light brown.

I was inspired to make it when I came across a simple tutorial on a blog called //between the lines//. I did my braiding on a handy cute clipboard.

The tutorial on the blog I linked to is for crafters only and not meant for commercial use.   I thought it was great that they were helping people to learn how to work with leather in such a great way.

The basic wrap around braid is showcased in hundreds of samples.  My braid shows off the black leather cord I chose to work with.

I also finished my bracelet with some gorgeous components as opposed to simple knots.  The patterned pewter end caps by JBB, were ideal to finish my ends before adding the hook and loop clasp.

Braiding leather is relaxing!  With or without components and tools!

Goat Suede and Dazzle-It Aluminum Wire

The  goat suede at John Bead has me thinking of ways to incorporate this soft stringing material into my designs.

These two goat suede colours were perfect to highlight the glass bead in this aluminum wire pendant designed by Nancy Donaldson.

 

I cut a point on my leather pieces so they would be easy to thread through the little hole on each side of the pendant.

The patterned pewter end caps by JBB, were ideal to finish my ends before adding the hook and loop clasp.  I love these hooks.  I chose not to add the matching clasp so I could show off a little more of the suede.

I can’t believe how quick this bracelet came together!

Suede Lace

Have you worked with suede lace?  The trend to make knotted and simple bracelets includes the use of leathers.

For this simple bracelet I used some of this purple suede.  It is thick and easy to design with.  I didn’t have instructions.  I have been experimenting with so many knotting techniques that it was fun to try and figure out how to make something without a pattern.

To complete a simple project you really don’t need tools.   These additional embellishments do make the bracelet look extra pretty though.  Many leather artisans tie simple knots for closures.  I preferred to use these nickle swivel clips.   I also added these hammered pewter beads.

I use a wooden hand to help me decide how much leather I need.  A little extra silver wire helped to make my ends look polished.  I think this could be worn by a man or woman.

The colour options are fantastic!  The suede lace collection is linked here.

Goat Suede Sampler

These suede dangles are the prefect way to start experimenting with a new selection of stringing material from John Bead

The goat suede I received was sitting unrolled on my work table.  I could not decide which colour to work with first. So, I decided to use them all!  The new kumihimo end caps are the perfect component to make something special and quick!

I filled the end cap with E6000 (about 1/4 full) and then pushed my goat leather strips into place.

All I did was let this dry overnight and they are ready to wear!  A simple earring back completed the project.