Leather and Pearls Bracelet {Tutorial}

Have you ever looked at something on Etsy and thought
*I could do that!*
And gotten all of the supplies home
And realized that, you,
In fact
Cannot do that?
Yea.
This is one of those.
But I got a little creative and went for it and made something totally different and massively awesome!
(because of that, the supply photo and some of the initial photos are using slightly different supplies...I switched half way through)

I've been dying for one of those wrap bracelets
But I can't handle how much they cost

So I figured that I'd make my own.

I totally made this deal up,

so if I'm not using proper techniques,

it's because I don't know what I'm doing

But the end product is nice, so just roll with it

Leather and Pearls Bracelet {Tutorial}

Supplies

2 different colors leather cord

(I used about 35 inches of one and 70 inches of the other)

Thread

(in a color similar to your cord)

A beading needle

Pearl beads

One large button to use as a clasp

Here's what you do.

Cut your favorite color of cord in a piece that's about 70 inches long. 
Weave it through your button so that there are equal legnths on each side. 
Tie a knot so that it's secure.

Thread your needle with about 35 inches of thread and tie a large knot in the end of it. 
Pass the needle through the button as well.  The end of the knot should hold the thread in one side of the button and the thread should come out the other side and hang about the same legnth as your leather cord.
Tie your third piece of leather (about 35 inches long) off to the original knot as well.

Now you'll add the pearl beads. 
I thought it was easiest to tie off 3-5 of them every few inches by adding them onto the thread and tying a knot underneath them.  If you're a master, you could probably thread them as you braid.

Then braid the leather like it's your best friend's hair.
Braid the thread in with a piece of leather and push a bead or two into the braid as you feel fit. 
When you get to the end of your beads, stitch the thread into the leather and tie off.  Cut the tail close and braid the knot in. 

Once you're happy with the length of your bracelet (you'll need to be with at least a few inches of cord left), tie off all of the pieces with another knot.
Twist the two similar color pieces together and tie another knot about an inch or two further up the cord.  This loop needs to be large enough to fit around the button.
Cut the ends to your preferred length and enjoy!

It's great as a bracelet
But it can also be a necklace
Or a headband if you're feelin it!

Rock your new jewelry ladies!



PS I finally signed up for a facebook page.  Click the link on the right to check it out!
PPS Linking it up with all of these lovelies this week! Pin It