Wooden Bead Necklace

This necklace has ethnic wooden beads and a few antiqued metal beads  strung on a leather cord.
It is in the casual jewelry category.  You can't see it in this picture, but the necklace is adjustable. I found a wooden bead that the two strands of leather fit just perfectly. Just pull on the bead to lengthen or shorten your necklace.

Red Leather Bracelet

This is another type of bracelet blank.  The leather bracelet is made like a belt and has holes pre-punched for adding beads.   Just sew on whatever beads you like.  How easy is that ?

Cross Bracelet

I love this curved cross focal and knew I had to have it.  I put it with a very simple strand of black leather.
It would also look stunning with black beads - especially faceted crystal.   I think my friend is going to love it.

Big Blingy Hoops

The one thing that was most requested in jewelry is big hoop earrings.  I had a pair of the hoops left from a previous project (I always buy extra, don't you ?) so I finished these up with small Swarovski crystals and blue pearlies.  I'm getting my practise in on loop making and its getting easier, if not as high quality as I would like.

Swarovski Rivoli Set

Swarovski has a whole line of crystal jewels and matching settings that make jewlery making very easy. .  You just glue the jewel into the setting and use it in your design.  I'm not usually one to wear big blingy things, but I love looking at them.  I made this bracelet and ring set for my nephew's girlfriend..  She's got kind of a punk edge to her so I used gunmetal settings instead of bright silver or gold.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out, but the picture is awful.  The rivolis are a great emerald green, not the dark shade you see here.

Belated Valentines Day

Actually, I got these out on time, but didn't get the post done.  I had several of these Swarovski heart pendants around.  It was the work of just a few minutes to add a jump ring and chain. They are a little gift for my favorite waitresses.

Leather Bracelets

I've been wanting to get into leather crafting for a long time.  It involves learning some new skills and rather a lot of tools and materials. This is my first attempt. There remains lots of room for improvements.

First up a couple of bracelet blanks painted and blinged up with rhinestones.

Next a successful experiment. I have some scrap leather in brown. I found that my rotary cutter goes through it like butter.  Then I attached  these domed brass dots.  You need to poke a hole in the leather with a knife, then insert the little pointy legs and bend them over.  I used the side of the  head of my hammer to roll down the points.  Leather snaps go on just as easily as on fabric, but you use a hammer and setting tool instead of setting pliers. Piece of cake.  I liked this piece so well that I kept it for myself.

So, look for more and better leather stuff to come.  I'm thinking beaucoup bracelets, checkbook covers, small bags and eventually, purses.