For the longest time I was not a “bracelet person.” They just felt awkward and heavy on my wrist the same way my ears felt when I first got them pierced when I was 13. I loved how a stack of cute bracelets looked on other people, so I figured if I just kept wearing them, eventually they would feel more natural, and I was right! Now my wardrobe feels incomplete without a stack of multi-finger rings and a few bracelets to go along with it. I’ve been really getting into jewelry DIYs lately, and I wanted to find a few ways to make embellished skinny leather bracelets with leather cord. These 3 options are all quick and easy, and they make great gifts as well! Let’s get started!
Supplies:
–round leather cord*
–end caps with loop
–lobster claw clasps with eyelet
-gold hex nuts (check your local hardware store for these)
–long gold tube beads
-small needle nose pliers
–jewelry glue
*There are lots of different thicknesses of leather cord. I used 2mm for mine, but just make sure whichever you choose, that it matches the size of your other items (like your end caps, hex nuts, and tube beads) so they will all fit together properly.
For the first bracelet, cut your leather cord to size (make sure to leave space for the end caps and lobster claw closure in your measurement). Take your jump rings, slide them onto your leather cord, and use the needle nose pliers to close the jump rings tighter onto the leather cord. Like in the photos above, you can either tighten the jump rings separately with even spacing, or you can tighten one, add a long row of rings, and tighten the last one to keep them all together. Quick and easy!
For the second method, cut your leather cord and slide your long tube bead onto the middle of the leather. Pull the tube bead away from the center placement and place a dot of glue on the leather. Quickly slide the tube bead back into place and allow the glue to dry. This will keep the tube from sliding around your bracelet and lock it into position. Doesn’t get much faster than that!
For the last bracelet, you’ll cut your cord and place a jump ring just left of the center of your cord. Use the needle nose pliers to tighten that ring and place a hex nut right next to the jump ring. Place another jump ring on the other side of the hex nut and tighten that one as well to secure the hex nut in place. Continue the process with 2-3 more sets on each side. Now you’re done and ready to add your closures.
To finish the bracelets, drop a small drop of glue into the end caps and place the cord into the end cap until the glue dries. Repeat with each end.Use your pliers and jump rings to connect your end caps to the lobster claw closure and eyelet. Mission accomplished!
I love that since these are so simple and quick to make, you can make a lot at once. Once you’ve made a few, you can wear them together and get a pretty good bracelet stack going. Several of these tied together with a bow would also make a really cute gift for any occasion. Anybody else catching the jewelry-making bug lately? xo. Laura
Credits // Author: Laura Gummerman, Photography: Laura Gummerman & Sarah Rhodes. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
47 Comments
These are gorgeous!! Where did you get the gold hexnuts and gold long tube? Can you find them at a craft store in the jewelry making section?
These are cute! I love the fun colors complimented by the gold details.
Jewelry making it my favorite craft! I’ve got a bunch of tutorials on my blog. These are so fun, I love how simple they are but very fashionable and on trend 🙂
These are beautiful! I’m especially loving all of the gold accents!
http://www.bohochiccafe.com
You should be able to find the gold tubes in the jewelry section, just go to a hardware store for the hex nuts 🙂
Laura
I love this DIY and color combo! I make leather bracelets all the time for my shop and now I want to make some with hex nuts. Thanks for the inspiration!
Carol
Calyptecollection.com
I love this! I actually bought a similar bracelet from Old Navy, but am going to try making these on my own!
-Chanelle :: thekimchronicles.com
I love this idea! Can’t wait to try!
xo, erica
sweet-endeavors.com
Love this! Love them bunched up and layered! SO fun!
http://sometimesgracefully.com
These are so cute and perfect for stacking – my favourite! I love that you can pick leather colours too. That aqua colour is adorable! Xo, Sarah
These are SO cute! Love them, Laura!
xx- Els
Wow, these look great. I think I will make them for all my girlfriends for x-mas gifts this year.
http://palsywalsyblog.blogspot.ca/
Great DIY ^^
Muilo Burbulai
Love these! I’ve been having fun with metal stamping which was inspired by your metal stamping post a few months ago! Thanks for the great tutorials!
me encanta !!!
besitos
http://www.normcoregirl.com
I love this idea, Laura! I think these will be the perfect inexpensive christmas gift for my stepsisters, ages 14 & 16.
This looks like such a cheaper alternative than buying these! Great for gifts too!
http://thatsmagsforyou.com
Great idea! I love doing jewelry on my own and this delicate bracelets are just the perfect DIY <3
http://anovamelody.blogspot.com
These are so adorable! Look like a great idea for girls wine and cheese night!!
http://revengebakery.com
They look amazing! Definitely going to try this out 🙂
Love this! Gonna do it today!!!
I’m also gonna incorporate the “Morse code” msg/names via beads & sliders!
Thanks SO much!!!
These look really pretty! Need to try this DIY! 🙂
ALINA ERMILOVA
I REALLY like these! I love arm stacks, but they can get pricey! You’re not just buying 1 bracelet anymore, but multiple! Making a couple yourself will cut down on the cost, and it has more meaning 🙂
http://www.littleblackshell.com
AWESOME DIY for these bracelets! I love the leather bracelet look, but haven’t purchased any because they just weren’t quite right…totally can make them! Great idea!
I love this idea! I love bracelets but often take them off due to a little man trying to eat them off my arm. I would love to try making these but am worried he would break them accidentally.
Beautiful! x
https://www.marjorievie.blogspot.com
These are super cute. I actually made similar bracelets not too long ago. I absolutely adore simple projects like these.
http://xfallenmoon.blogspot.com/
Super cute! I love the neon colours. These would be great gifts for family and friends.
xoxo
The Accidental Mama
http://www.theaccidentalmama.com
Such a cute DIY!
I was goo a make bracelets just like this before my holiday but couldn’t the right fastenings. I want to make them with rainbow colours
Lauren
livinginaboxx
LOVE these DIYs! I just moved and didn’t get to keep all of my accessories, I’m going to have to make some!
StephanieLists.com
These are amazing! Going to make a few for Christmas gifts.
Thanks for sharing! xxx
naturallybeige.wordpress.com
These are amazing! Going to make a few for Christmas gifts.
Thanks for sharing! xxx
Beautiful bracelets!
Fashion latte with vanilla
I am in love with this DIY. MUST-DO NEXT WEEKEND
Very cute!
I have to try these! They are so cute and look super simple.
These look cute, and so easy to make… love bracelets, but its been forever since i bought a new one..maybe i will try these..
xo
http://agoldentulip.blogspot.com/
This is gorgeous!! I love it!
Such a great idea for presents for friends! going to be making these:)
http://www.girlonaladder.blogspot.co.uk
These are so cute! And they look so simple! Thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait to try these!
Ah, I could actually make these! And they look like they’d make great stocking stuffers.
Philly
http://togetherinitaly.com/about-our-family/
these are so cute!!
xxoo,
nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Beautiful for every occasion and so versatile! I’ll be making some of these for the coming birthdays. Thanks for the ideas!
These are beautiful bracelets!
So I ordered both the recommended 2mm cord and the tube beads shown in the link. However, the tube beads were too skinny for the 2mm cord. Thought you should know! Where did you buy the tube beads you used? I’m not able to find a different size anywhere.
I love those long gold tubes. Do you know if I can get them someplace other than hobby lobby? I don’t really want to patronize them.