• Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Work
  • Contact
  • Categories
    • DIY Projects
      • Home & Interiors
      • Jewellery Making
      • Gift Wrapping
      • Flowers & Plants
      • Sewing
      • Christmas
    • Creative Living
    • Home Renovations
    • Motherhood
    • Travel
    • Styling Seasons
Lotts and Lots | Making the everyday beautiful

DIY - leather cord love bracelet

Monday, 9 February 2015

I want to go through some basic jewellery making with you all today. I whizzed up these love bracelets in time for Valentines day to show you different ways of using cord ends. I was talking to my friend and she said how much she likes my tutorials but could never do them (she totally could). The key with jewellery making is to start small and build your skills up with each project, it's amazing how the most complicated makes become easy once you start to break down each step of the construction process. Don't be fooled by fancy findings, most pieces in the shops really aren't that complex, I promise. I have gone through all the steps below but if you have any questions please get in touch, I'd love to help you or even better come along to a jewellery making workshop! 

You'll need - Metal charms with an eye at either end, leather cord, cord ends (specifics below), 5mm jump rings, 7mm Jump rings, 7mm bolt ring 

Step 1. Cut your leather cord to length. Measure the exact width of your wrist and measure the exact length of the charm (you could use a charm like this, a fancy bead or cabochon wold also work just as well,). Subtract the charm length from the wrist measurement and divide by 2.

For the cord the same maths applies - wrist length minus charm length divided by two. I looped the cord through the holes at the side and made sure each length was the same. I added a gold crimp to keep the pieces of cord together, if you don't have a crimp then you can make a simple knot. 

Step 2. Using a 7mm ribbon end, add a small dab of glue between the teeth and insert the leather cord (you could use a heavy ribbon or lace). Squeeze the teeth closed with pliers.

Step 3. Using a 4mm cord end, add a dab of glue to the inside of the barrel and then insert the leather cord (you could use a fabric cord instead just make sure it fits snugly in the barrel).

Step 4. Using a box closure (I find these the trickiest to use) add a dab of glue to the centre and then add the cord. Carefully fold each outside edge into the centre to enclose the cord using pliers.

Step 5. Add the charm to the cord using a 5mm jump ring. To open a jump ring take a pair of pliers in each hand and really tightly clamp the jump ring in one hand (I'm right handed so do this in my left hand) With the opening facing up take the second pair of pliers in your other hand (right) and put them at a 45 degree angle to the opening. Gently open the jump ring by pushing the opening in opposite directions. Thread on your charm and cord to each jump ring before you close. To close push the sides of the jump rings back together in the opposite direction to how you opened it.

Step 6. Open a 5mm jump ring and thread the cord and a 7mm bolt ring, close. Open another jump ring and thread on a bolt ring and other end of cord.


I was so tempted to add extra beads and tassels but kept it simple for this tutorial. I really hope these bracelets inspire you to get creative, I've really been enjoying trying different makes lately so if you haven't had a go a jewellery making then maybe give these bracelets a try. Happy making! x

The leather cord used in this project was kindly gifted to me from Endless Leather, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 
Share:
Labels: basics of jewellery making, Bracelet, Bracelet Tutorial, DIY
Posted by Lotts and lots

8 comments

  1. Crafternoon Teas9 February 2015 at 00:27

    They look so pretty Charlotte! I love textile jewellery. These would be pretty to wear on a V day date to match your outfit or give to a sister or mate. x Samantha www.teacakecraft.eu

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  2. Unknown9 February 2015 at 10:01

    Wow! Your blog is so lovely! I'll keep on following it!
    xx Francine

    www.francinesplace.blogspot.it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  3. KelsyC10 February 2015 at 10:14

    I'm in love with the colors you picked. I would definitely wear all three of these bracelets and probably at the same time. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  4. Unknown25 February 2015 at 21:53

    Check out best juicers;

    http://www.besteverstuff.com/best-top-10-juicers-2015/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  5. zdf27 March 2015 at 20:43

    Wow, perfect. Fortunately, I found your website!
    Thanks for sharing! swarovski crystal earrings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  6. Addison pf9 April 2015 at 22:49

    PiercingPros specializes in all premium but affordable tattoo supplies and body piercing jewelry as well as a huge assortment of fun belt buckles. Here are Piercing Jewelry, Body Jewelry, Tattoo supplies, Tattoo Supply, Tattoo Ink, Tattoo Needles, Belt Buckles and Leather Bracelets.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  7. Numbing cream for tattoos31 July 2015 at 13:13

    I like the pink and purple one

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
  8. Unknown5 March 2018 at 00:02

    Great write-up, I am a big believer in commenting on blogs to inform the blog writers know that they’ve added something worthwhile to the world wide web!..
    here

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
      Reply
Add comment
Load more...

Newer Post
Home
Older Post
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

About

About

Lotts and Lots is a DIY & creative living blog for the modern maker.

You'll find a collection of DIY tutorials, targeted towards other busy crafters on a budget.

Featured posts

Strawflower Workshop

CATEGORIES

  • DIY Projects
  • Creative Living
  • Home Renovations
  • Motherhood
  • Travel
  • Styling Seasons

Popular Posts

  • DIY - floating driftwood shelf
    I can't tell you how excited I am to share this floating driftwood shelf DIY with you all. I didn't know it was possible to love ...
  • Home - Bathroom, before and after
    I'm so excited to share this house makeover with you today - my bathroom has to be my favourite room in the house, its simple, clutte...
  • DIY - Floral Bath Salts in collaboration with Polly's Petals
    I swear it's a happy coincidence that I'm posting this floral bath salts tutorial on Valentines Day. Having a bath once a week ha...
  • DIY - Embroidered t-shirts
    I love seeing all the sweet embroidered t-shirts out there at the moment but I'm reluctant to buy as nothing currently fits my growin...
  • Dining room details
    I shared the before and after of our dining room a few weeks ago but didn't share the details. For me a room really gets its person...
  • DIY - Jewellery Box
    Today I'm sharing a made-over DIY jewellery box. As part of my mission to condense my stuff before we move I have cleared out a large...
  • Petal Cupcakes
    Hello! A pretty post for you today with a little help from my friends at Polly's Petals . We haven't done much baking during LD - ...
  • Strawflower Workshop
    A photo filled post today as I feel like we could all do with a little uplift. A week ago I had the pleasure of running a strawflower wor...

search

Instagram

Powered by Blogger.
© Lotts and Lots | Making the everyday beautiful · Blog Theme by XOmisse