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.