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How to Create a Beaded Leather Wrap Bracelet

by Nicole
(NJ)

Hello!


I am looking for help creating a bead on leather wrap bracelet!

I've recently been seeing this design for a bracelet but the prices are way out of my budget!

I was wondering if you could help me by perhaps offering a tutorial on how to recreate this design? Thank you so much!!

- Nicole

Comments for How to Create a Beaded Leather Wrap Bracelet

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Making the Bracelet
by: Trish

Leather-Wrap Bracelet

Materials:
Round leather lace - 1 mm or 2 mm - depending on the look you want - need at least double the length of your wrist plus closure.

Beading thread - can match the leather or be a contrasting color - I use Nymo.

Beads - whatever size and color you would like - want them to match up in weight to the size of the lace you are using. You must be able to
thread the beading thread twice through each bead.

Take a measurement of your wrist and add 1 to 1 ½ inches for closure. This can be adjusted when finishing up the bracelet. Cut a piece of lace to this length.
Cut a piece of beading thread 3 - 4 feet long.

Double the lace, and holding the beading thread with it and knot the leather and the thread together in an overhand knot about a half-inch from the folded end. This will be the ?loop? part of the closure. You can adjust the size of this loop to accommodate the bead or knot you will be using. Make sure the beading thread is part of the knot. You can secure this with a dot of glue. Take the beading thread and knot it to one of the leather strands close to the knot. This will be where you start adding in beads.

Clip both the knotted end of the leather and the other end to a piece of foamcore or cardboard to hold it straight. For clips you can use binding clips available at most office supply stores. Separate the two leather strands so the beads will fit inside them. Hold the foamcore sideways so that it will be comfortable to work with.

Bring the beading thread under the leather lace and add a bead. Slide the bead so it is snug against the lace. Loop the thread over the other leather lace and come back under it and back through the bead.

Loop the thread over the first leather lace and add another bead, looping the thread and going back through the bead as before. Snug up each bead as you go, keeping the leather lace just enough apart to accommodate the beads.

Continue on until you reach the length you determined at the beginning. Tie off the beading thread to one of the laces as you did in the beginning, but don?t cut it off. Now make another knot with both leather laces and the thread and pull tight. Slide your closure bead onto all three strands and knot again. Secure the knots with dots of glue, and clip the ends. If you are using knots as a closure, knot the three strands together, then make another knot over top of this one. Secure the knots with a dot of glue.

Done!! Now wear it or give it as a gift!!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wow Trish! Thanks for the instructions
by: Christine

Great instructions! Thanks - that's why I love my website. Everyone is so willing to help each other out...

Warms my heart
Christine ~how-to-make-jewelry
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		CLUB MONACO
by: Anonymous

Go to the store "Club Monaco" ...they sell them for 28.00, tons of colors
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tutorial with Pictures or Video?
by: So

Thank you so much for explaining. I love these bracelets!

But as English is not my first language, some parts of the text are a little bit difficult to understand.

If anyone knows where I can find a description with photos or video, please let me know, I would appreciate this very much.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks!
by: Beadinggem

Awesome bracelet. Thanks for the tutorial - I will link to my blog!!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Question About Nymo
by: Anonymous

I tried making the bracelet with thin transparent thread but it was too thick.

What size Nymo do I use to get through a pearl twice?

The sizes are listed in letters so I don't know which size is bigger or smaller.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Waxed Linen Thread
by: Nadine

Trish,
Your instructions for this bracelet were wonderful and seem so much easier than the instructions that I have.

I have made two of these bracelets and have had such a difficult time trying to get the beads evenly spaced with the wrapping of the linen.

Because my instructions say to string all the beads on the cord at one time and push each bead up and wrap as you add them to the length of the bracelet.

I am going to try to make one using your instructions tonight.

As an alternate cord, my instructions use waxed linen cord. I have only seen this cord in most of the bead shops and crafts stores here in Houston in white, black, brown, or beige.

If you are using a lace of a alternate color and you want your waxed linen to match you may have to search the internet for places that sell the linen in different colors.

Thanks again.
Nadine
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wrap Bracelet Question
by: Anonymous

Do you know what the size bead is in this picture? Is the bead "Red Coral"?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I Am Making One!
by: Heidi

Hello! I saw these bracelets in a store marked at $150.00-198.00!!!! I loved them but didn't want to pay.

So, I looked at it real close and went to the bead store! I was able to get all the supplies for less than $10.00. Super cheap however, they do take a long time to make. I want it to wrap around five times.

I think that is why people mark them up so much. I am almost done with mine and I love it! I can't wait to make them for gifts!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Photos?
by: D

Maybe I just have trouble visualizing with words. Is there some place I can see photos of the steps?
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starstarstarstarstar 		Closure Beads??
by: Anonymous

Love these bracelets, but can't find the closure beads anywhere. Any suggestions where to find them?
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starstarstarstarstar 		Where to Find the Closure Beads?
by: Anonymous

Great bracelets. Would love to make one, but can't find the closure beads anywhere.

Any suggestions where I can order them? Thanks!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Perfect Directions
by: Anonymous

This is coming out perfect!

I made my closure out of PMC Silver Clay. They do take a long time to make, but once you get the hang of it, the beads lie perfect.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great Idea!
by: Anonymous

Thanks, that is a great idea and I would love to give it a try. Maybe you can put up a photo of your beads.

In the mean time, if anybody knows a website to order them, I could get started on making one right away.

Thanks again!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mamacita Beadworks
by: Anonymous

There's a shop on Etsy called Mamacita Beadworks with great handmade pewter buttons that work well as clasps.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Video
by: Nann

Do you have a how-to video of the directions? Seeing a visual would be very helpful. Thanks!
Rating
starstarstarstar 		More Secure Non-Elastic Thread?
by: Lonneke

Hi everyone,

I have made several of these bracelets, with black agate, glass pearls, cat's eye, they all come out very nice. I also made the buttons myself from silver art clay.

However, I used Nymo thread, with little knots in between to secure them. Now, my friend returned her gift to me because the Nymo broke!!!

Does anyone have a suggestion for a more secure non elastic thread?

Thanks!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		thread
by: Anonymous

I've made one of these with Black Nymo B but needed to get a REALLY long piece so that you didn't have to stop and start. It was very difficult to keep it from knotting. Didn't end up liking the finished results so I took it all apart. I ran into my instructor before I tried again and she suggested that I use Fireline, 6 lb test, it worked great. I didn't have to double it and it didn't knot. I actually finished off 2 bracelets yesterday with Fireline and love them. Looking forward to finding more beads and leather to make more of these.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thread
by: Anonymous

I have been using artifical Sinew instead of thread, it works great with the leather, is very strong and you can break 1 strand apart into 4. It also easily fits through a 4mm bead twice.
So far I've done black leather with grey pearls, brown leather with round swarovski crystals and white leather with pink/silver czech glass-so fun!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thread
by: Dianna

A friend of mine got me "hooked" on these wraps. She uses Thread Heaven wax with her NYMO#D thread on her wraps. Thanks for all the info and directions for these beautiful bracelets.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Wrapping Instructions on your wrist
by: Anonymous

I have a simple question. I received one of these bracelets as a gift and would like to know the proper way of wrapping them on your wrist. Can someone help me ? Thanks !
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thank you
by: Anonymous

Thanks so much,I can't believe I finally found this tutorial.I was starting to think I'me the only person in the whole Internet who's not crazy enough to pay $100 for them.It's usually quite hard for me to visualise instructions without pictures but I've just tried making my own bracelet and it works.Looks great :)
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		wrapped bracelets
by: Penny

let me know if you figure it out.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thread for wrapped bracelets
by: Dangles2005

I use 8 lb fireline. It's thin enough to give you the same effect as the thread, but strong and won't break. I too have just started making these and it would be very helpful if there was a video for making these. It's hard to make from a sheet of paper.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Video
by: Sherri

Can someone do a video tutorial so we can get a better idea, for those of us who learn visually.thanks!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		AWESOME!
by: Anonymous

I JUST made one of these and tweaked it just a little! So easy (although it DID take about 2 hours to make a double wrap)!

What I did- First step, i threaded a 2-holed button made out of shell at the very beginning (it looks like the bracelet in the picture used this method), so that each lace was coming out of each the button's holes. Then, I followed the directions above, but finished it the same way the picture shows- by tying two knots with just enough space so that the button, from the beginning, slid through. It looks great! total cost for a double wrap bracelet: (made with real leather cord and natural beads)- about $5.00!

I may love fashion, but...I am not willing to spend $160+ on a trendy Chan Luu bracelet that will probably only be "in" for another year or two. I am also not a "crafter" by ANY means- so this is a very easy project for anyone! I cant wait to make a 5-strand bracelet!! Thank you for posting this!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		silk thread
by: Anonymous

I use silk... its the string used for knotting pearls and other semi-precious stone jewelry, its nice because it has a needle type wire on the end already.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Super
by: Anonymous

I made this for my friend as a goodbye present before she moved. I put alphabet beads in instead of the red beads, and my message wound around the whole bracelet. I used thick leather rope instead of the leather lace and I used gold thread for beading. Turqoise-and-brown stone beads spaced the words.
Thank you so much for this great tutorial! My first jewelry making experience was great! And the whole gift costed me only abt $10 !
Thanks again!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		beading thread issue
by: Anonymous

Has anyone used one piece of beading thread for the whole bracelet? I am making a 5 wrap 34 inch bracelet and had to use three separate pieces of thread to do the whole thing otherwise it started getting all tangled. Anyone have any tips? Other than that it is coming along so nicely looks just like the $150-$200 ones!!
Rating
starstarstar 		NEEDS PICS OR VIDEO!!
by: Anonymous

great tutorial, however this is useless unless the instrutions include a video or pictures with each step. this is too hard to do without some kind of visual besides the final product!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great tutorial
by: Anonymous

Great tutorial - just what I was searching for and glad I found it!!

Also, I just wanted to let those of you know if you are working with Swarovski crystals for your wrap, most threads will break (like Nymo). It would be best to use fireline wtih Swarovski crystals.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		beads slipping
by: Anonymous

I just finished my first bracelet and I love it. Although the beads have been slipping. Am I wrapping the beads to loose or to tight...should I be adding a knot through every few beads to keep them in place...any thoughts?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Just some ideas...
by: Anonymous

I did a previous review and I've made another bracelet since- i purchased a curved two-holed shell button from joann fabric as the "clasp", bought some 2mm brown leather lace and colored nymo thread from michaels, and some sterling silver 3mm round beads from artbeads.com (about 200 or so)...this has resulted in a premium quality bracelet- from which i have received MULTIPLE compliments! the total cost is about $25.

As far as having the beads move on you...the beads seem to do that at first, but as the leather is "memorized" around your wrist, the beads seem to place themselves.

i use one length of nymo (instead of shorter pieces that i tie off throughout)- it is time consuming at first, but the payoff in quality is well worth it:)

this is a GREAT gift for the holidays...i am thinking of customizing for my friends by replacing the silver with round gemstone "birthstone" beads!
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Few questions
by: Anonymous

Hi. Is this bracelet easy to make? Do you need beading thread or will you be able to make it without the thread? Thanks for writing this I have been looking every where trying to find instructions!
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starstarstar 		Help me please!
by: Anonymous

Hi! Thanks for posting this! I am really confused. is the beading wire supposed to be folded in half? then when you put the bead on and put the string back through it doesn't that just take the bead off? Please help!

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starstarstarstarstar 		tutorial
by: Anonymous

Would love a video tutorial!
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starstarstarstarstar 		beaded leather wrap bracelet
by: Anonymous

That's a totally different bracelet.
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starstarstarstarstar 		Yeah!!!!
by: SuzanneG

Seek and ye shall find! THANK YOU for providing such clear and detailed instructions about how to make this style bracelet. Like many others, I love this style but didn't want to pay retail for one. FYI - I buy both leather lace and wax cotton from Munro craft - they have a GREAT discount program - they sell nymo, fireline - just about anything a crafter needs.

Cheers and happy bracelet making!
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starstarstarstarstar 		longer bracelet
by: Anonymous

Hey, thanks for the instructions, but I don't understand something. If I want this to wrap around my wrist 4 or 5 times, doesn't the length of the lace need to be 4 or 5 times the distance around my wrist? I got confused when you said cut off the lace the length of my wrist, it doesn't account for the second side if you double over the lace. I'm confused. If you could please elaborate a bit more for a longer bracelet?
thanks so much, Rachael
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Video thanks to Crystal Dreams
by: anavi

Hello, this is a video that teaches how to do the bracelet.
Is in spanish, but you don't need to understand

Enjoy!!!
Ana

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starstarstarstarstar 		Crystal Dreams video
by: Vicki B

The video was so great to watch. Is there a way of hearing it in English? Either way it does help to view how it's made. Hearing it in English would help even more.
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starstarstarstar 		Video
by: CreativeCrafts

I subscribe to www.auntiesbeads.com YouTube channel and they just put out a video on this.

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starstarstarstarstar 		How to Tie Knots and Make Thread Long Enough
by: Anonymous

I have been making many of these bracelets and this is what I have learned:

      1mm leather works best. I buy two yards to make a 5 wrap bracelet.

      Buy button in an organic shape that either compliments bead and leather color or stay with silver or gold color.

      Use only nylon thread.

      Buy size 12 needle at bead store.

      4mm beads look the best but I have also used rondelettes and oblong beads to change up the style a bit.

      Faceted 4mm look glamorous. I bought pyrite that was somewhat faceted and used black thread and black leather. Everyone loves the look.

      Try to use only one thread for entire bracelet so you do not have any knots in the middle of the item. It is a very, very long thread and you won't work as fast but it looks better.

      To hold knot: tie two knots and leave long end.I knot at the beginning of the top knot so it goes over the leather. It was the only way it worked for me. At the end of the project, I go back and dot the knots with superglue and let it dry for a couple of hours and then I go back, thread the long end that was left handing onto the needle and bring it back down the bead (that means there are three strands of thread in that bead) and then I cut the thread as close to the bottom of that bead as possible.

      To minimize knot at beginning and end of the bracelet, superglue-let set-and then bring thread over the leather superglue and hold down with your finger until it stays down-let set-snip remaining thread.


If anyone has a better idea with the knots, let us know. Enjoy and once you make a few, it will only take about 2 hours to make a 5 wrap and you will love it.

Audrey
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starstarstarstarstar 		wrap bracelet
by: Vicki

This is great. Much easier to understand in English. Thanks for sharing.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Leather Wrap Bracelet video
by: Paula

There's a very good video on how to make this bracelet at http://www.auntiesbeads.com/Wrap-Bracelets-Video_p_9111.html

Aunties Beads has awesome videos!
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starstarstarstarstar 		What am I doing wrong?
by: mary

Does anyone know why my leather keeps getting twisted after I put the beadheliums on? Please help!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Need custom bracelets
by: Anonymous

I am looking for someone to make about 250 - 500 similar bracelets with out breaking the bank...any ideas?
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starstarstarstarstar 		closure at end
by: Robin

Wouldn't it be easier to add your big closure bead first and string the material through it and do the loop at the end?
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starstarstarstarstar 		thanks for posting
by: Jeanine McCool

I was not going to spend the price they wanted on a Lulu bracelet; I'm crafty enough to figure this out on my own. Thanks for the video post; it's fabulous. I sent it to a few friends and made the aunti beas web link a favorite!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Class
by: Karin (Peaceful Sun)

I took a Wrap (Chen Luu) Bracelet Class and this video has helped, I'm so excited about making the bracelets and other ideas. I'm more of an artist than a jewelry designer but I'm learning I love to create, excited about learning more from you experts

Karin D'Aunoy
Peaceful Sun Creations
[email protected]
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starstarstarstarstar 		materials
by: Kalaidoscope

I have found this site to be most helpful, especially the tutorial video that is in Spanish. I have one Chan Luu bracelet that was given as a gift and am addicted, however, unwilling to spend so much when I can easily make them myself. Below are some good websites to find the needed materials: Leather cord, button clasp, faceted 4 mm beads (semi precious stones)

http://www.leathercordusa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LCU&Category_Code=C1

https://shop.rings-things.com/cart/pc/Connector-Gemstone-Oval-2-hole-13x18mm-Hematite-1352p19573.htm

https://www.bhbeads.com/cart.aspx

If anyone else has other good websites to find materials please share!
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starstarstarstarstar 		Leather wrap bracelet
by: Anonymous

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64706915/bracelet-leather-wrap-around-copper
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starstarstarstarstar 		Wrap bracelets
by: Engelina

I made some if you would like to check them out

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64706344/rasta-wrap-around-leather-bracelet
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starstarstarstarstar 		Response to interested buyer
by: Bonnie

Hello this is in response to the Anonymous comment wanting to buy 250-500 bracelets. I would be very interested in making a custom order for you. I sell these bracelets at my etsy store and my customers are highly satisfied with my project. I believe I am also one of the most affordable sellers out there. If you are interested, I would love to speak with you. Please email me at

bonnybeedesigns(at)aol.com or contact me through my etsy store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/bonnybeedesigns


Thank you
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Excellent Work
by: Szarka

I love the ones I see you all making especially the creativity in the closure!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Leather wrap bracelet
by: Anonymous

Thank you Zarska
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starstarstarstarstar 		Size matters
by: Jackie

I love the pattern but was wondering what size beads to use, what kind of bead is best to work with?
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starstarstarstarstar 		Where to find buttons
by: Anonymous

Can anyone tell me a good place other than Mamacitas to find the closure button?
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starstarstarstarstar 		Great Instructions!
by: Julia

Thanks so much for giving us the instructions to make these bracelets. I made one as a birthday gift for my boyfriend. I can see why some people charge a lot of money for these - it is quite fiddly to make!
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starstarstarstarstar 		How to add new thread
by: Anonymous

Hi,

The instructions are great but my thread was too short. Any ideas on how to add in a new thread?

Thanks,

Cheryl
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starstarstarstarstar 		Nimo
by: mary

I tried using a really long piece of Nymo but it kept getting tangled. I now put the Nymo on my ironing board and use a warm iron to unkink the Nymo before I start beading. It works great! No more tangled mess.
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starstarstarstarstar 		help please
by: citygirl

I made three of these bracelets, but after wearing them they all started to twist and get out of shape , any ideas or suggestions?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		For City Girl
by: Anonymous

I have been making these bracelets for a couple of years now. If you use 1mm or 1.5mm round leather and you live in a humid climate, the leather WILL stretch. But there are a couple of good ways to keep it from happening as quickly.

1) I recommend using a larger size diameter leather, 2mm.

2) Don't get your bracelet wet all the time, wear it into the shower or into the ocean. Leather stretches when it gets wet, so if you wear it to the beach, in the shower, etc, it will stretch out of shape.

3) Pin your leather down to either a bead board or using another method when you are making it, and stretch the leather TAUT while making the bracelet.

That doesn't mean OVER TAUT, just taut, so that you can keep it from twisting while it is being made.

4)At the beginning and end of the bracelet (after the button closure is on and then right before the knot for the end of the beading is made) use your needle and thread to weave between the two pieces of leather to hold them together. If you do this, it will stabilize the ends and also keep the beads from moving up and down along the leather cord which is one reason the bracelet gets out of shape.

The more stable your beads are in place, the more firm the shape of the bracelet is.

I ALWAYS use a double strand of thermally bonded thread when making my bracelets, that means that EACH bead has basically FOUR strands of thread in it, which keeps it in the place I put it, rather than it rolling around along the leather cord.

Stability is the key to keeping your bracelet in shape.

I have an excellent and stable way to add more thread that I discovered while making my beaded bracelets.

If you would like to know more about that method (it's kinda long to write here), please email me at [email protected] with subject line "beaded leather wrap bracelet.

Hope this helps
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starstarstarstarstar 		Glass Clasps
by: The Glass Chef

If anyone is interested in having a glass disc bead made, for your bracelet, with a large enough hole to fit the 2 pieces of leather through at the end and make a knot then please contact me through http://www.theglasschef.etsy.com
I will make them in any color that you like.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		New Chan Lu Bracelet Video
by: Vicki

I just received this from a the BeadShop in California where I often purchase my beads. This is a great video and very well may be by the Nicole that is listed up at the top.

Here's the link:

http://www.beadshop.com/projects/Project-and-You-Tube-Videos/Learn-to-Ladder
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks! Great stuff!
by: Rock Wear Gems

Great article! Came looking for how to deal with longer thread. I made a short prototype which I ADORE and have cut pieces for a 5-wrap. I can't even knot the thread around the leather after making the loop!

I found many hints in the comments of questions I didn't even have yet.

I did read that it looks better to use one long strand and that someone else had ironed theirs out. I'm using silk and it's getting snagged, so I may try the ironing thing.

I'm not so much concerned about the time as the thread getting snagged. I guess I'll figure it out!

Thanks to all for posting!
Diane, Rock Wear Gems
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starstarstarstarstar 		Leather Wrap Bracelets
by: Two Beadles

I make leather wrap bracelets using semi-precious stones. They are very affordable ($30-$50) and use a different technique that is more sturdy and durable than most. Check them out at my online shop www.twobeadles.etsy.com
Thanks :)
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Why so expensive?
by: Anonymous

I found this woman who sells bracelets just like the Chan Luu ones without the price.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/72119746/turquoise-leather-wrap-bracelet

But i noticed other users on here are selling similar ones for twice as much. How do they account for the price difference?

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Love Love Love these
by: Anonymous

I've been looking at several Etsy stores and just don't want to pay $60-$80 for one. I can see that some people have seen some for much much more. But I'm a hands on person that just needs to do one for myself.
But if you want to buy one that's relatively inexpensive my favorite shops on Etsy are Justhipstuff and MadRiverDesigns. Justhipstuff is less expensive, but both shops sell beautiful products.

Hope this helps anyone who is looking to buy one.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		LEATHER BRACELET/PULSERA DE CUERO