Little Leather Bracelet Belts

I've been playing with leather a lot lately, and kinda loving it. My friend Melinda got me hooked on leather. I don't know whether to thank her or curse her because all I want to do is include leather in all my projects now! I love the softness, and worn in comfort that leather adds to my work.

The last time we got together she brought a sampling of her treasures (on wheels because it is too much to carry). She had so much variety that I went to town picking out findings and clasps that work beautifully with leather like these belt buckle clasps; aren't they the coolest? 

I can't believe how easy it is to include these findings. I just put a little dab of strong glue on the leather ends and insert into the metal ends. I used e6000 ... which I use on pretty much everything. Seriously. 

In the first bracelet I simply cut a strip of leather to match the width. And in the second bracelet you see I used both a wide strip of leather and two thin cords on either side. The variation in the leather colors brings out the copper tones.  Both of these are fun to stack, mix and match!

Rocks :: Beads :: Leather

Rocks, beads and leather. What more could I ask for? I love the simplicity of this pattern, and the comfort of this one around the wrist. It is soft and fits like my old, worn in baseball mitt from childhood. 

I found a great video that walked through how to create this stacked, beaded bracelet that was very simple to follow. There is also this tutorial if you want to try larger size beads. They are both just an easy, soft weave that feels great on. 

My inspiration started with a rock that Christine gifted me. A beautiful, flat skipping stone that she drilled. I knew that I wanted to use it as a bracelet toggle, but I waited to find a pattern both fitting in style and substance. You can see it is not a petite rock, but it does make for a wonderful earthy, boho feel. I love this look.

I got to work with the tutorial using some very soft suede that slipped right through the drill holes and provided the edging to my bracelet. And then I just grabbed some cording and started stringing some size 6 seed beads. It reminds me of the field corn my mom always loved to put out with the Thanksgiving decorations. Something that reminded her of her childhood on a Nebraska farm.

Beadweaving :: Simple Peyote

I picked up quite a few sets of seed beads at Beadfest this year (you can see the loot to the right here); including a few strings of wonderful earthy beige and a hank of Picasso seed beads. The Picasso beads have been all the rage lately, as I hear everyone talking about them. But they are quite a bit more expensive for some reason. Frankly they look like all those beads I spill on my bead table and don't get around to sorting. I do really love the mixture of color, and I might just need to do my own mix!

This simple peyote pattern actually started with the beautiful center carnelian piece. I have a few of them sitting on my bead table that I've definitely been hoarding for some time. My friend Christine gifted them to me, and I love them. I think Carnelian ranks right up there as one of my absolutely favorite stones. I absolutely love it's rich, honey tone. I could not resist showcasing the photos of the bracelet draped over a rock. Anyone who knows Christine knows that she'd approve of this maneuver.

I wanted to do something different. Unique. But wasn't exactly sure what, and it took me quite a while to come up with the pattern. Sometimes the simple patterns take the longest to figure out as the understated can be quite dramatic. It makes me think of my hairdresser. I know .. I'm down a rabbit hole. But stay with me for a minute, and I'll explain. So I always thought ... how hard can it be? I have stick straight hair ... all you need to do is cut it in a straight line. But I've heard people cut my hair over the years and mumble under their breathe because every snip shows up. And in fact I have seen people struggle to cut my hair as it is harder to have it look like a clean cut, or not have a few pieces hang down if I part my hair slightly off from center (as I typically do).  I guess simple patterns are the same. Any small stitch out of place, or slightly different color of a bead, or even slightly irregular shape or size ... shows up. Can anyone see the spirit beads in this piece?

I ended up with a 2 row chevron pattern of Picasso beads alternating with the earthy beige. I did a drop stitch at the ends creating a triangle so it would roll around the center piece. I kinda love the softness of that look. I'm going to have to do that again, for sure. I also grabbed a set of Melinda Orr's leather snap ends (man I love these) and punched a couple of holes to bead right into. I had to laugh as I explained to my bead buddy Linda Younkman that I had left the string exposed when I attached the beading to the leather. I think she asked me twice, maybe it was 3 times if I really left it exposed. LOL, yes. I like the rustic, boho (aka 'didn't tuck in my shirt) look.

The piece fits like an old worn in baseball mitt. Truly. I was afraid the carnelian hoop would feel uncomfortable, but the beading around it gives it some swing in the pattern. I still have 2 more of these carnelian pieces to play with. But this one; it must return to Christine. I channeled her through the entire pattern. In the end is was earthy, had a touch of native flare, and just a bit of Colorado. 

And another one of my beady friends, Linda, was off doing her thing with peyote. Check out these stunning variations where she simply played with the size of the bead. She also included a tutorial for those of you that would like to try your hand at a simple, and classic peyote beadweaving stitch. Sometimes the simple can create the dramatic. You definitely rock Linda! You can see this article (include my simple peyote bracelet) in this month's issue of Bead Chat Magazine.

Freeform :: Leather

This year at Bead Fest I was hanging out with Melinda Orr and Linda Younkman and as we were going through some of Melinda's rather large stash (she needs wheels to carry it around by the way) ... she pulled out some leather. 

What she had done was to take a piece of leather, cut strips within it, and then harden the leather with water so that it stood as a cuff (you can see it on my bead table below left). How cool is that? I couldn't get over how great this was and my mind instantly was designing what I'd do with this piece. Melinda is always game to see what people can make with her leather, and said to take it home and play. Well you don't have to tell me that more than once! 

I started to work in some freeform peyote --- weaving it in and around the strips of leather. These are 15s (aka ... REALLY small for freeform) but who says I'm not up for a challenge. Even if I realized part way through I was nuts to do it in this size. I just didn't want it to take away from the leather.

I decided to stay with just one color, which I think gives this just a bit more drama ... and doesn't distract as much from the leather itself. I added a great stone in the middle that I beaded around. Which, I have no idea what it is? Anyone who knows - please do tell!

This felt like it had a whole Medieval thing going on, so I decided the button should look like an old shield. It does feel like a cuff when you wear it as it holds it's shape. What fun to play and bead with friends, and to try new things!