Layered Leather Beaded Bracelet

I love layered bracelets.  It gives you the look of several beaded bangles, but you’ve got the convenience of a single clasp.  They don’t take many beads, and you can mix colors, finishes and sizes for a look that’s totally personal.  I’ll show you today how to make a beaded leather bracelet in spring colors to welcome the new season!

I’ll leave links to the products I used below so you can check them out.  As always – make it your own with the colors and shapes you love!  These are affiliate links, which means that if you do click through and decide to make a purchase, it benefits my blog at no extra cost to you (and thank you, by the way).

Here’s what you’ll need to make a beaded bracelet like  this one:

• 2 mm round leather in brown, lavender, and/or silver (5 strands, 6.5 – 7 inches long each)
• 6 mm large hole round silver beads (I used 6)
• 8 mm large hole round amethyst stone beads (I used half an 8″ strand)
• 2 mm crimp covers (I used 15 on this bracelet)
• 7mm jump rings
• 15 mm lobster clasp
• Glue-on end caps
• Super new glue
• Crimping pliers
• Flat nosed pliers
•  Scissors

I cut my cords to 6.5 inches, but if you’ve got a larger wrist, or you like a larger bracelet, you may want to cut your cords to 7 inches.  The end caps and clasp will add almost an inch to your total length.  Glue 5 cords into one end cap, and allow it to set for a minute or so.  Then, you can begin adding beads.

I like for my beads to move a little, it gives the whole piece a more organic feel.  However, the holes in these beads are large enough, that they will all slide to one side or another.  So, to remedy that, I added a few beads then every few inches I also added a crimp cover and crimped it onto the leather with crimp pliers.  I didn’t actually bother with a crimp bead underneath; they’re so slim that the beads would just slide over them, and the covers can crimp directly onto the leather quite easily to act as a stopper.  It allows the beads to still slide some, but it keeps them within their “area”.

Just be sure as you’re adding beads to the different strands that you don’t put the crimps all in the same spot – you want the layers to rest together with the beads offset.  You can add as many or as few beads as you like.  And don’t forget, each strand is multiplied by 5, so even if individual strands seem like they’re not very full, the other strands will add beads!  Take a peek at the photo below – I only added about 4 beads and 3 crimps to each strand.

Then, add your final end cap, and attach a jump ring to one end, and a jump ring and lobster clasp to the other, by twisting the rings open and closed with your pliers.

I just love the earthy look of stones and leather together, and these colors together give it plenty of shine.  I’m loving purple this spring – what colors are you wearing this spring?