Meet "The Archer," Round Leather Braid Bracelet... perfect for the guys!

Here you go! Check out the ingredients list for the round leather braid bracelet, called The Archer.

Kate is demonstrating the technique on Free Tip Friday on 12/14, and after the broadcast the video will be linked on this page.

What you'll need:

1 yard, 3mm Grey Deerskin leather

1 yard, 3mm Black Deerskin leather

1 spool, .5mm black Indian leather

1 Crossed Arrows button Antique Silver

1 spool Smokey Gray Surfer Cord 1.5mm

Black Regular C-Lon

6mm Jump Rings Antique Silver

Zap Glue

Old School Thread Clippers

Clampers

Deep Dish Design Tray or

Mini Macramé Board

Free Tip Friday: Learning the Wall Knot with Leather Cord

Thanks so much for joining me today for this fun and fast project! Decorative knots are so stunning in wrap bracelets and this one looks great AND is easy to learn... a WIN all around.

I used 1.5mm Sable Leather Cord, Lt. Turquoise Picasso Roller beads and the Flower of Life Button in Antique Gold.

Download the handout with the written steps here. Enjoy!

Bead Stringing Materials and the Elements

During one of Janice and Kate’s live Facebook videos, they discussed an often asked question: What threads, used for stringing and weaving with beads, can you wear in the shower or swimming? 


The short answer to this question, which seems simply enough, is yes, depending on what you use as far as the stringing material goes. However, they went on to qualify this “yes” answer with a number of stipulations and recommendations. 

Leather Cord

First of all, there are some stringing materials they resoundingly said “no” to as far as getting wet. These definitely include leather and silk. Since these are natural fibers, they will stretch over time. In fact, many threads will stretch because as the finished jewelry pieces hang, either around an arm, your neck, or even hanging on a jewelry display, the weight will, over a period of time, cause materials to stretch.

Materials that are usually a little more safe to possibly get wet would include those made from nylon or cotton. For example, there is cotton cord, C-Lon, and Tuff Cord. These are much better choices for jewelry pieces that might get wet.

C-Lon

Keeping all of this in mind, it is a good idea to regularly check jewelry pieces, especially those you wear often, for wear and tear. It is better to know ahead of time, obviously, that a piece may have a weak area and needs repair then to be surprised one day when it comes apart as you’re wearing it. Unfortunately, restringing is part of jewelry making and a very common practice necessary to keep jewelry pieces we love to wear in the best possible condition. 

TUFF Cord

If you’d like to watch Janice and Kate discuss this and other related topic, the episode if available on beadshop’s Youtube channel for viewing any time.