Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Leather Wrap Bracelet Video Tutorial

UPDATE:  To see the new multi-row beaded leather bracelet video tutorial, click here.



This is my VERY first video tutorial so please bear with me.  I know the original link to the Chan Luu inspired leather wrap bracelet tutorial has been removed and many of you have contacted me for information on how to make your own.  Click here to see my bracelet #1 and here for bracelet #2.

I have to say that this is just my interpretation of how the original tutorial was and I have modified a few things so feel free to play around with what feels comfortable for you!

What I used:

  • 2 yards of 2 mm leather cord
  • 4 mm faceted beads
  • Size D Nymo thread
  • Beading needle (personally I use a floss threader because I like that it's flexible without getting warped in the beading process - also any size thread will fit easily in the loop)
  • Beading glue (I use super glue because the bead glue I have turns white and crusty when dry)
  • Button with 2+ holes (needs to fit 2 mm cord, look for spare buttons around the house)
Steps (see written steps and video):
  1. Measure your wrist and determine how many times you want the bracelet to wrap around your wrist.  Add 2-3 inches to this for how long your leather cord should be.  I used 2 yards and wrapped it around my wrist 4 times.
  2. Fold your leather cord in half.  At the loop end, tie a knot about 3-4 inches away from the end.
  3. Optional: I like working from a stable surface so I flatten a cardboard box and use binder clips to secure each end of the bracelet while I bead.
  4. Thread your needle.  Don't worry about getting the right length - just choose what's comfortable because you can easily add more thread and secure it with a knot + glue.
  5. Knot your thread to your cord.  Form figure-8s with your thread onto the cord.  This will help secure it to your bracelet.  I typically do about 3-4.
  6. Now thread your first bead and do another figure-8.  
  7. Repeat step 5 for each bead - this is the time-consuming part.
  8. Every 10 beads or so, place a dab of glue on the bottom cord where the cord meets the bead and thread.  You might want to test out your glue earlier in the day to make sure it dries clear.
  9. Once you get about 3-4 inches away from the end, thread your button with your cord and knot the cord under the button.
  10. Voila - you're finished!

Questions?  Please feel free to comment or email me and I'll get back to you!

61 comments:

  1. This is awesome!~ Great video tutorial! Thank you! I am so not crafty otherwise I would try it..heheheh

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  2. It's always so neat to see how things are constructed... thanks for sharing! :)

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  3. Such a thorough tutorial! Just by reading the steps I confused myself but the video really helps clear it up were one to attempt this. You are one of the craftiest people I know!

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  4. This is fantastic, I always wanted to try this on my own!

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  5. Oops I don't know how I missed responding to these comments - so sorry!

    Really Petite - I bet you could make a beautiful one if you wanted to :)

    PXXS - Thanks for checking it out!

    PAG - Aww, thank you! I'm glad the video and text make sense together!

    yjennings - Thank you! Let me know how it goes!

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  6. I made a bracelet using the tutorial from Ruby Mines last summer (LOVE it!). I just decided to make a couple for Christmas gifts and wa-la! no link. So disappointed.

    I can't thank you enough for posting this and saving my bacon. THANK YOU!!!

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  7. Atticelf - You are very welcome - I'm glad you found it helpful! Thanks for stopping by and commenting :)

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  8. i love this! where did you get your supplies... mainly the white leather?

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  9. luvtabeed - Thank you! I got the white leather on eBay through seller Dreambell. If you search for "metallic leather", they should pop up. The white was called "metallic pearl". The beads came from BeadsDirectUSA - they have a store here locally.

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  10. This looks like a good DIY project for bracelet lovers and gift givers, especially when you can give it a personal touch for them to appreciate with. When I gave gifts to my buddies and friends last Christmas, I gave them a debossed silicone wristband with a heartwarming message on it, since when they suddenly look at it when they feel down, they'll remember that I care for them. In addition to that, I also wear those debossed wristband I bought, with my leather straps of various sizes, because I can't resist not having anything dangling on my wrist.

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  11. Walter - Thanks for dropping by and commenting!

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  12. Hi Jane - That's so flattering! Yes, please feel free to feature :)

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  13. what size nymo thread do you use??

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  14. thanks so much for the tutorial and quick reply! ill be trying this out myself :)

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  15. hi, i was just wondering about how many beads you use for a wrap bracelet like this, thanks (=

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  16. Hi Suzanne - I don't know the exact number of beads, but you'll need roughly 33-36 inches worth of them.

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  17. Are you able to post more detailed pictures of the clasp? I've seen Chan Luu add her buttons in two different ways and I'm a little confused.

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  18. Mt.ja - Reader Sharon found the original tutorial here - check it out for how she did the closures:
    http://buatkalunggelang.blogspot.com/2010/09/tutorial-chan-luu-turquoise-wrap.html

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  19. With the nymo thread do you just tie a regular not on circle part of the floss threader i cant really see it in the video

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  20. Kelly - I have the Nymo thread doubled up so the knot is actually at the end of the thread rather than knotted onto the floss threader. Hope this helps!

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  21. This is so amazing thank you so much! I have been so obsessed with the Chan Luu wrap bracelets, but didn't want to pay $200, I mean, thats just ridiculous! I have already made two in two days, and Im so happy with the results, they look just like the real thing, Thanks for the great tutorial!

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  22. where is the sound on this video? my volume is on full blast and the sound icon on the video is all the way up... can't hear a thing... love this bracelet though. thank you for the visual tutorial. ;)

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  23. Legacy - Sorry! There's no audio on this video - it was meant to be a visual accompanying the text directions :)

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  24. Gianna - Yay - I'm so glad that the tutorial worked so well for you!!

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  25. Hi Kileen! Thanks for sharing. My wrap bracelet is in the making right now. Btw, you look wonderful with your Color Brigade adventures, though I think you're a bit under-accessorized - some Chan Luu inspired bracelets would be great additions to your beautiful colored outfit coordinates... Ana

    Keep dressing up...

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  26. 2 p.m. - spot your tutorial on Internet.
    4:00 p.m. - hit the local craft store for supplies.
    8 p.m. - happily wearing completed bracelet as I type this.

    Thank you for the clear tutorial!
    Just one question -- how do you finish with the nymo before you thread the button onto the cord? I tried doing the figure 8 several times (same as the start), but once I added the button I noticed that the last two beads are popping up. You can't see those out-of-place beads because the button hides them, but I would like to fix this for the next time I make this.

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  27. Indigo_ink - Glad it worked out for you! I've had that happen too - probably the easiest thing is to secure both sides of the beads with glue - let dry completely, and then do the figure 8s.

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  28. Ana - Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I agree - a lot of times, I just put on whatever garment and very often didn't / haven't gone to much effort to add accessories.

    BTW - I'm not Kileen :) She hosts the great Cute and Little blog where the Color Brigade is a weekly feature.

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  29. Indigo_ink - I was able to fix the popping up bead issues at the start and end of my bracelets by running the thread through a second time for those beads. You end up with 6 strands of Nymo through those and it ties them down so they don't come up.

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  30. Can you add more thread? I am running out. I would like to wrap my bracelet three times around my wrist. Any help is appreciated.

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  31. Sharon - Yep! I never use the adequate amount of Nymo for this bracelet since it makes it so much harder to work with. I usually just tie a normal knot to add more length and then also add a drop of superglue to the knot to make sure it holds. Hope this helps! :)

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  32. Can yo recommend a source for leather cord other than the dreambell white metallic cord? can you also recommend what color nymo threads look best with certain leather cord colors?

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  33. Anonymous - Hello! You can get standard colors like black, brown, and nude in hobby stores like Michael's and then just get the matching nymo thread color for your leather. If you want non-standard colors, I think it's a matter of preference. I've used gold nymo with bronze cord and white nymo with silver cord before and think those look nice together. Hope this helps!

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  34. Hi there! Where do you get the nymo from? I cant find any color other than white at craft stores?
    Thank you!!!

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  35. Anon - Hi! BeadsDirectUSA but you should be able to find nymo at any dedicated jewelry supply store online or physical

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  36. Thank you :) I'll take a look!!!

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  37. Good day! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

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  38. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. I'll certainly be back.

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  39. Thank you so much! This tutorial is amazing.

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  40. Hi. I'm in love with your version of this bracelet, in white. Would you consider making them and selling them in your Etsy Store? I am disabled and had to give up my crafting/sewing hobby but would LOVE to own one of these. Please consider! Thank you.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words! I found something really close on Etsy by another seller: http://www.etsy.com/listing/97285461/wrap-bracelet-white-leather-silver-beads?ref=sr_gallery_35&ga_search_query=leather+wrap+bracelet+white&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type=all

      You can also do an Etsy search for "leather wrap bracelet white silver" and other pretty options will appear. Hope this helps!!

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  41. Love it! What are the beads you used in the white bracelet? 4mm? 6mm? Round? Faceted? Seed? Glass? Ceramic? So many options I don't know where yo start I have to order mine online from beadsdirectUSA

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  42. LOL, hope you got a good end result!

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  43. Thank you so much for this! I have been makeing these for a while, but keep feeling someone out there has to have a better method than I do. The instructions are amazing and the video helps give great visual... Best I have found... I like how you use a Floss threader.. alwesome idea! A+++++

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  44. great tutorial....next on my project list...thanks!!

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  45. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  46. Awesome bracelet of yours. I like the bead you used in making this bracelets. I think the Silicone Wristbands are fine too.

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  47. Good tutorial, but the thread needs to go back through the bead in a figure 8 so it doesn't show on the other side. This is also better for strength and stops beads popping out.

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    1. I thought I had replied to this before (eek) - thank you so much for the tip!!

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  48. Amazing and well done! So cute, looks great.
    That looks awesome....http://www.psdaimaandsons.com

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  49. hi, did u put the glue on each bead to prevent them from popping up? I made a wrap bracelet using a different technique - two separate strands from each side weaving thru the bead and I noticed that my beads were popping up!

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    1. Hi! I only glued every 10 beads or so, but per darkhalf's comment above, I've heard that if you re-thread the bead like a figure-8, it will prevent the beads from popping out

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  50. Awesome post.Thanks For share this post with us.The particular which means of the standard friendship bracelet may be enhanced by weaving into it components with religious which cool leather Bracelet means and energy, for instance the Kabbalah pink string. For the reason that pink string itself is much like the threads making up the friendship bracelet it suits in completely and provides the present of friendship and love an added worth of safety.

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