Faux Leather and Recycled Glass Beads Wrap Bracelet How To

I received these beads in exchange for my honest opinions. 

I know, I'm a little late in the wrap bracelet trend, but here I am hopping on the bandwagon!

The beads are recycled glass beads from Happy Mango Beads.  (I'm not sure if that link is exactly the same bead, but it's close.)  Here's Catherine photo-bombing my picture of Happy Mango Beads goodies. I can't believe this photo is over a year old!  (By the way, if you like beautiful pictures and beads in your Facebook newsfeed, you should like Happy Mango Beads.)

I had received these beads about a year ago and with hubby getting a new job, a 500 mile move, a severe morning sickness filled pregnancy, the birth of my son, etc., etc., I am only now getting caught up on my crafting!  Of course, as soon as I got my goodies from Happy Mango Beads I took a break from packing and did make this pretty memory wire bracelet.

Back to today's bracelet, the (faux) leather cord was a gift, but I'm pretty sure it came from Joann's.  I used heavy duty all purpose thread from my stash.  I also dabbed some E-6000 glue on all of my knots -- probably overkill, but it gives me peace of mind knowing that everything is super secure.  I also used one button.

Here's another picture of my beautiful girl, this one is from today. She's getting so big!  She loves to model my crafts for me.

I pretty much just winged it while making this bracelet, but I am really happy how it turned out!  If you'd like a little direction, here's what I did:

• Cut leather cord to desired length.  For mine, I doubled the leather and then wrapped it around my wrist and added a couple inched before cutting.  
• Make a loop by tying a knot at the halfway point.  This loop will be your "button hole", so make sure your button will fit!
• Tie your needle and thread to one side of the leather.  
• Start adding beads.  I went through the bead, around the leather, back through the bead, around the leather, and then through the next bead . . .
• At the end, knot the thread, leaving a long tail.  Knot the leather and the thread together.
• Add the button.
• Put a drop of E-6000 glue on all of the knots.

A couple of tips for while you're working:

• Secure your work somehow.  A clipboard would be perfect.  I used a paperclip and a cardboard box.
• The first few beads are difficult.  I didn't think mine were lining up well at all, but somehow after about a half-dozen beads everything looked great.
• This method will work for all sizes of beads, but keep in mind you will need a very thin needle for smaller beads, because you have to go through the bead twice.

The beads are on the heavier side, so this bracelet does have a bit of weight to it.  Because of the weight I decided that this bracelet should only wrap around my wrist twice.  The beads are very high quality.  I love how each one is unique.  They get my seal of approval.

I think the combination of the leather and the recycled beads has a slightly rustic feel, perfect for fall!  What do you think?

As always, I love linking up at various parties across blogland! If you liked this post it would be awesome if you followed me somehow.

 

Rachel: The Philosopher's Wife

Like I said above, I received these beads in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. 

What Would You Do With These Beads?

Hello, Dear Reader!  I apologize for being a little MIA lately.  My little family has moved!  We are just about all settled in now, so blogging will once again begin!

I do have a question for you, what would you do with these beads?  They are super duper cool, but my recent lack of crafting has left me a little uninspired.  

Celadon Green Glass Tube Beads

I saw these earrings on Pinterest, and while they are very cute I was wondering if there was something more that I could do.  Help me out, please, Readers!

You can enter to win a $25 Gift Certificate to Happy Mango Beads! 

Making Earrings out of "Thrifted" Necklaces (A Tutorial)

I recently had a very successful trip to the thrift store.  While I was there I picked up a few necklaces that I didn't really like, but I thought that the beads had potential to be something awesome.

I had some fishhook earring finding on hand from a recent craft store trip, so when I got home from "thrifting" I was able to take apart the necklaces and start working.  (I love being able to work on a project while my inspiration is still fresh!)

I'm sure everyone has their own method for putting together jewelry, but here's what I do:


1. Try to find an activity that will hold Catherine's attention for a least a few minutes.  (She's two-and-a-half and very much at the "Whatcha doing, Mama?" stage.)

2. Get my materials out.  I find it very helpful to make sure that I have everything that I will need before I begin.  Once the beading box is open on the table I really can't leave it unattended.

3. Remind Catherine that she can't play with Mommy's toys right now, but maybe when she's older.

4. Lay out all of the beads and findings that I will need.  This eliminates last second scrambling, and also ensures that you do, indeed, have all of the pieces that you thought you did.

5. Respond to toddler's adamant statement of "I older now." 

6. Put earring #1 together.  This is the easy part of the whole process!  Simply take your head pin and put your beads on.  Use rounded pliers to make a loop at the top of the pin for the actual earring.  Add the earring and then tighten the loop using regular pliers.  Easy peasy.

7. Get snack for toddler.  Again.  

8. Put earring #2 together.  Same as the first.

9. Pick up container of  1,000 seed beads Catherine was using as a Montessori type work.  Hey, it kept her entertained, what can I say?

10. Sit back contentedly  because I just made a cute pair of earrings and Catherine finally got bored and is playing with her toys.

All of the earrings featured on this page featured a "thrifted" element.

If you like these earrings keep on eye on my Facebook page because I'm going to be having some "flash sales" on these!  (UPDATE: This one is over, but there will be more in the future!)

I hope you liked this tutorial on how to make earrings out of thrifted necklaces.  
I'd love to have you follow me!

  
Rachel: The Philosopher's Wife

 I love sharing my projects!  Check me, and many other fabulous bloggers, out  at the following (and don't forget to check my Crafty Links page):
Cowgirl Up

Beaded (Christmas?) Bracelet

Last night I mentioned on my Facebook page* that I was working on making a bracelet.  Well, I had enough toddler-free time to actually finish it! (Toddlers and tiny beads do not mix.)

I wanted to make a wrap bracelet, using wire and seed beads, that was a subtle tribute to a candy cane. My goal was that it could be a Christmas bracelet, but that it also could be an anytime bracelet.  

I am pretty happy with how it turned out!  

So, what do you think?  Does this bracelet "scream" Christmas to you?  Or is the candy cane motif subtle enough to work year-round?

*I have a quick note about my Facebook page.  I would love it if you'd click on over and comment, like, and/or share things from my page.  Facebook's new(ish) rules on fan pages severely limit what gets seen in news-feeds.  However, the more people interact with the page the more others will see it.  I have over 3,500 likes, but according to Facebook's page stats, only about 100 people actually see my updates.     

I love to share my projects at various link parties in blogland.

I have a button page of many of the places I party, and here are some links as well:
Made by Me, What We Wore, Read, and Made, Show and Share, What I Whipped Up, Time for a Party, Mine for the Making

Beaded Crochet Wrap Bracelets

I gave a teaser of my Beaded Crochet Wrap Bracelets last week in my WIPS post.  (That's Works In Progress if you didn't know!)  I am happy to report that I've finished a few and am pretty happy with how they turned out!

This was my first time to incorporate beads in a crochet project and I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was!  Basically, to use beads you string all of the beads that you are going to use before you begin crocheting.  I worked a little bit of Elmer's glue into the end of the yarn until it was stiff and pointy and then end was a "needle" to make stringing easier.  Then I just worked my crochet chain as normal, and whenever I wanted to add a bead I just slid it up the yarn and worked it into my stitch.  (So, in a nutshell: 1) string beads 2) crochet as normal adding a bead when you want. Super easy peasy!)

This silvery grey bamboo yarn looks great with the clear glass seed beads.  It did take a bit of patience to string all of the tiny seed beads onto the yarn!  The beads add a bit of subtle sparkle and glam.  I also made a similar bracelet using the same yarn but gorgeous reddish-orange beads.

Now available for purchase! 

You can purchase this one at my Etsy Shop!
Well, not anymore, someone already did!

On my Multi-Colored Bead Wrap Bracelet I love how the glass beads "pop" out.  They are eye-catching and super fun!

I also made one non-wrap bracelet.  I once again used the silvery grey yarn, but this time I used green aventurine beads.  

I will be making more of these--both for myself and to sell in my shop!  They are just so much fun to make and to wear!

I am hosting a giveaway for a custom dyed skein of yarn!

I love linking up at parties!  

You can check my button page or follow any these links to see where I link up each week!

Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Making Monday Marvelous, A Round Tuit, Make it Yourself Monday, I Made It! Monday, Craftastic Link Party,  Craft-O-Maniac, What's In the Gunny Sack?, Make it Great, Take a Look Tuesday, Mix it up Monday!, Terrific Tuesdays, One Project at a Time, Cowgirl Up, Show Me What You Got, Will Craft for..., Your Whims Wednesday, What We Wore, Made, and Read, Tip Toe Thru Tuesday, What I Whipped Up, Made By Me, Time for a Party, It's a Party!, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Show Off Your Stuff, A Crafty Soiree, Hookin Up with HoH, Creative Juice Thursday, Commercial Break Thursday, Catch a Glimpse, DIY Diva, Things I've Done,  Chic & Crafty, Friday Favs Party, Shine on Fridays, Friday Fun Party, Financial Friday, I {Heart} Fridays, Creative Bloggers Party, 

WIPS

Works In Progress

This week I decided to try my hand at crocheting with beads.  I am making a few different bracelets.

(Of course, I'm still working on the capelet and the afghan!)

Have you ever worked beads into a crochet project?  How did it turn out?

I will be linking up at the following:

Yarn Along with Ginny

Frontier Dreams with Nicole

Work In Progress with Tami
What You Doing Wednesday with Sue
Tuesday's Tallies with Carole