Make an EXPENSIVE Leather Bracelet from Scraps

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Make an EXPENSIVE Leather Bracelet from Scraps
Last week we asked for leathercraft project recommendations and you delivered in the comments! So this week we're starting off with Kelly's suggestion - a modern, minimalist leather cuff.
Our take on the leather cuff features no closure at all. We use a solid copper core and wrap that in beautiful tumbled leather, securing the leather with a hand sewn saddle stitch. This design detail results in a very minimal and low profile design that fits many different fashion styles - and they fit many different wrist sizes as well with their squeeze-to-fit design. These Leather Bracelets are seen at many high end designer stores for lots of money, but you can make your own with scraps from your workshop!

[@Corter]

Congrats Kelly! Shoot us an email and we'll get you your card wallet - hope you like our cuff design!

[@camiloaquino4466]

Can you tell us where to find metal insert?

[@kboleather]

@@camiloaquino4466 the answer is found at the 1:03 mark.

[@teacherlaurel4020]

Camilo Aquino we found it at McMaster Carr on their website

[@camiloaquino4466]

@@teacherlaurel4020 Thanks for sharing.

[@AndroidFerret]

I make something like that myself ..but with exotic leather .. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING what you made there ..I will definitely make one myself and use the same material like you. ..

[@rod4095]

I have never done any work with leather but this video makes it tempting to start

[@jaredrosa3415]

With your videos I'm getting closer to being a real life version of my ffxiv character. I already picked up goldsmithing and weaving, and now I can add leatherworking to that list :)

[@michaelpcooksey5096]

OK, I tried your idea and liked the experimentation. Hardware stores here do not have copper so used salvaged copper pipe, flattened it and ground edges till it separated into two pieces... one sort of a hammered shiny the other a sort of black residue. Anyway, it worked. Did one at 7" the other at your suggested 5 1/2" long. Also tried doing lacing on one. Can send you a snap shot if you'd like to see them. Fun...

[@agnesrambling]

For those who doesn’t want to waste their thread, you can measure on the actually length and times 4 of the measured length. Useful for those who have limited resources.

[@Cssfiend]

depends on the thickness of the work, 5 or 6 is safer

[@chrisanderson6566]

I checked the cost of my thread. It costs me $0.01 per yard of thread. But it's a good thing to know

[@thomashorton8302]

no offence but you sound REALLY snobby

[@guyg5702]

@@thomashorton8302 Unless one is using real gold, or some other exotic thread, any leather worker concerned about the cost of thread is in the wrong business / hobby. It is literally the cheapest component of any project.

[@sethforbis1114]

Ur mom has limited resources

[@loganowens2376]

For several years now, I've been looking for a good leather cuff. Used to have one that had a lot of sentimental value, but it got destroyed. I also want to get into leathercraft this year. I think your video just gave me the first project I wanna tackle when I do. Saving this for later

[@andreaviverito4638]

What a super example of "less is more". I love the simplicity of this bracelet. Thanks.

[@cdnbikerchick8762]

As others have said, annealing your copper will make it easier to form, which you can do with a leather mallet. It also helps to fully form both of your curved ends first, and then move to forming around the top of the wrist. The ends won't be as work hardened that way and will be easier to manipulate. Nice work!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

That is really beautiful, but if I used copper, I would cut holes in the leather so the copper would show. If I wanted a solid leather bracelet, I would use a less expensive metal as a blank. Loved the room at both ends to allow for movement and the sandpaper trick.

[@icedteacatfish]

Love the cinematography on these. Been meaning to try my hand at leather working for a while now, thanks to you i reckon I’m gonna get myself some tools from weaver for my birthday.

[@nata45554]

Working with genuine leather is a pleasure! I myself make unusual leather jewelry. I assure you that it will give you great pleasure ...I would like to wish you wonderful creative ideas and their implementation in working with leather ... 😉👍😉

[@yvonnez.amadordegarcia6090]

I’m Yvonne, I followed your video, I learning from you, a lot of your tutorials, I’m still learning, how to work leather. 👍🏻

[@nata45554]

Working with genuine leather is a pleasure! I myself make unusual leather jewelry. I would like to wish you wonderful creative ideas and their implementation in working with leather ...👍😉👍

[@Deusmecumest]

You sir are a true artisan. Not just from this video but from the wonderful wallet and set of belts I got at your online store. I wish you had this for sale then. I highly recommend to anyone watching.

[@KiloBravo69]

This is truly a beautiful bracelet! Just a tip, if you anneal the copper first it is much easier to form it when you finish the bracelet.

[@LFCPete]

Amazing 👏 👏 I have got to try this, I love leather bracelets, and Ive just bought a massive bag if furniture leather offcuts, the same colour as you're using too lol. Thanks for showing us how to do this, just need to get a few tools now 👍

[@deanc6539]

I made a bracelet form out of some 2x4 and you can tap the ends flat against that (or any roundish jar, or whatever) with a rawhide or plastic mallet. A piece of leather over the end should prevent any marks on the finished piece. Great little project!

[@donnanolan8913]

Your videos are explained so well and nicely paced. Could you do a journal cover?

[@benjaminzoo]

Great tutorial .. thanks for posting.. Could you possibly show the stitching method.. so I can get it the same on both sides!! I’m probably being really stupid!! Kindest Regards from the UK

[@anantharamba6832]

Firstly thanks again for this amazing tutorial, with ideas to innovate . So pleasant to know that you have stitching irons that speak to you! "They are not going to like it if you hit the copper strip". Wonderful to watch how the tools become an extension of the hand, and the hand at the end of the man! Everything really cool.

[@bigsoggy9812]

I love these tutorials makes me wish could stil do it I lost the use of my left arm due to astroke beenbtryin to devise a way to use my tools 1 handed using a tool holder jig I always found making leather good. Vier stress releasing

[@devinchong442]

I'm glad you made this video! I was planning on making a watch band with this type of copper core design, and I was planning on glueing the copper in... I learned a lot!

[@beowoofthemoviestar]

Cool idea. Just have to find the copper in a use-able thickness. Thanks for the teaching.

[@markharrison1160]

The copper is work hardened. You need to anneal it with a torch. The trick is to soot the cooper with a reduced flame then go to a normal flame and heat it up till the soot is gone. Then let it air cool. The cooper will be annealed and you can form it easier. Bear in mind as you work the cooper it will work harden again and become stiff again.

[@sorodoke]

Beautifully done! I'll make a matching pair for my husband and I!

[@wolfa5151]

Not for “ my husband and I “ for my husband and me, know your English grammar!

[@tylercarlson1634]

@@wolfa5151 what? She was correct?

[@christianhristov6231]

@@tylercarlson1634 She wasn't. Simple explanation: You say ''I am preparing dinner for my husband and I''. If you don't have a husband, would you say ''I am preparing dinner for I''?

[@jgdevoe]

I've done a couple of these now so a nice project. I don't see it in this video but somewhere you mentioned a tool to bend the bracelet and I pick one up at Joann Fabrics. They don't do a very good job at all. First I had to open the slot so a metal piece with leather on it wouldn't fit. Next, it doesn't bend the ends with the same curve so I'd suggest doing as you did here and form freestyle with ones hands. Maybe use some small bottle like a meds bottle etc. to start it and finish by hand.

[@jssminwhyte6519]

That’s such a neat bracelet. Thanks for the tutorial

[@theartisancompany]

Thanks so much for sharing how you design leather bracelets.

[@jamesmacleod8388]

A little while ago I tried to make something by braiding copper wire together. It was fairly stiff, but had sharp edges so didn't think it would be good as a bracelet. However it could be good as a core for something like this, and I have a lot more copper wire around than I do copper sheet, and it might make an cool design if I press the leather more into it too.

[@AcidArt362]

Upholstery thread by cord and button works well when sewing...and super strong. Heavy duty upholstery thread is economical and super strong.

[@petersiliekrause2203]

I never wear bracelets. But this is so beautiful. I want one, I want to make one. Thanks for this video.

[@liznoeggerath]

very nice and great tutorial!! thank you!

[@nafizrashid5365]

Amazing craftsmanship

[@xavisoloyo]

Que preciosa pulcera, tienes el "toque" felicidades por tu trabajo, saludos desde México.

[@jimresetarits2976]

Thank you for your professional presentation. A special yet simple gift.

[@Lorddanielrushton371]

God bless you. Great cuff design. My have to add that to my mile long list of projects. Lol. 🙃

[@damesydneyleatherworksprie9136]

I love the simplicity and the elegance of this bracelet.

[@GypsyEncounters]

Nice. Clean. Elegant. Thanks for the video

[@africraftTv2019]

Nice work ❤

[@kenporter5022]

I’ve been making them for friends since I saw the video! What a great idea! Thanks so much!

[@heddaacevedo]

I simply love this idea...already have the materials...just need the time ❤️❤️❤️

[@anna-lenameijer9942]

Very instructoral step-by-step video: easy to follow.

[@shirleymalar2773]

Good project! As always, your teaching skills are perfection!

[@zeeryos102]

Thank you very much! What is the recommended thickness (gauge) of the copper core? I don't want it to end up with a too flexible nor too rigid cuff. :)

[@beckytseng3604]

He said 1/2 inch thick in the video.

[@RBourn9]

@@beckytseng3604 No, he said half inch WIDE, not half inch thick.

[@donthoms]

@@RBourn9 I need to know the thickness too. Please!

[@JimmyGelhaar]

@@donthoms Did you ever figure this out? And where did you get your copper stock?

[@jimhaley1854]

Simple functional project. Great for a starter. Thank you

[@lucashoover2977]

hey so i was cracking wallnuts open with one of my freinds and i had the idea of taning leather with the like juise from the walnuts so i think u should definetly try that :)

[@imgboi]

Nice Bracelet !! I would wear it !

[@lalabelt]

Thanks for the idea! I want to try to make a leather buckle by also covering it with leather

[@whazee]

There's a cool brogueing punch I've seen that would look pretty cool on this design. 😊 Thanks man.

[@Corter]

I was thinking of that as well, it'd be super cool to have the copper or brass how through!

[@sandrabulluck1896]

I’m also new to leather creations! Thank you for this amazing tutorial! I have a cuticle trimmer, that looks like your beveler. I’ve seen someone else use theirs, seemed to do the trick! FYI, your nails are wonderfully manicured!

[@100yugiohtrader]

Here's a recommendation, how about trying to make a picture frame using leather? Maybe use a wood structure and wrap the leather around it? With a sewn seam running around the outside portion of the frame? That would be a cool idea. Great work.

[@rubymora2801]

Thanks for sharing. Been making leather bracelets for a while but never knew to do the wax on the edges. Great tip.

[@janethickey5162]

Love this.

[@Long-Island-Sound]

Should be using Duckbill pliers for that final bend

[@MIKEMAKESTHINGS]

Nice job and craftsmanship.

[@robertdikes7722]

I find that professional sponge center emery boards work very well for rounding small corners and you can lay them flat on your work surface to do the edges.. I buy them at the Pro Beauty Supply in your town. They last a long time and they are waterproof for cleaning!

[@peterkohm9742]

You have inspired me to give it a go . Thank you

[@568843daw]

Good presentation. Thank you.

[@j.m.england6828]

Thanks for sharing this video, this will be a great starter bracelet for me, as i'm new at leather working, but i'm confused i see that you started your stitching on one side, but ended your stitching at one end, but at the finish it looked like you started & finished at the one end.

[@andreatthatsme]

Woo hoo 🙌 Good Eric. 💘 love this. Thank you Kelly for the suggestion.

[@tinastreasures1]

This is a great tutorial! Totally new to leather work...I’m slowly acquiring supplies and I think this would be a great project to start with. I’d love one with the hair in one side. Would the process be the same for the trimming and sewing? Thanks for sharing your skills!!!

[@nata45554]

I would like to wish you wonderful creative ideas and their implementation in working with leather ...

[@angelinalozada189]

Beautiful Piece.

[@j.l.gillies3611]

Great bracelet. Eurotool makes a nylon bracelet bender that is not very expensive that would make shaping easier as well as the annealing advice below.

[@bbrown-ed6if]

Looks very nice !!!

[@bobrobinson4557]

Thanks for the great vid and project idea.

[@ferrarirod1]

veramente un ottimo lavoro ,complimenti , se possibile posso sapere che colla hai usato ??

[@villijs33321]

Nice one, just thinking - copper not gonna turn green after som swetting?

[@martamccool2740]

Excelente! Beautiful and elegant. Give me an advance what tools to buy to start .thanks

[@elewmompittseh]

We use an oval steel bracelet mandrel, bend it around by hand, then use a soft cloth over the leather so you can tap it down into shape with a mallet ...especially on the ends

[@epiccrok2063]

This looks very nice

[@dbergman23]

If you wanted to add designs to teh leather, like stamping names and such. Would you want to do this before you sandwich them together, or after? I'd assume that if you did it afterwards it would stamp the copper to, which might not be a good idea?

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Awesome video as usual. I always feel like I am in a 1 on 1 lesson.

[@Faribafarsi]

خيلي هنرمنديد و با سليقه موفق باشيد🌸🙏🏻🌸

[@mikep5336]

My local hardware/big box stores do not carry copper bars like what you show. Ebay had some but not cheap especially with shipping. I did find aluminum for bracelet blank bars from JoAnn's however.

[@lawrencebaker6911]

Great tutorial!!! I think I wanna try using 2 pieces of stock spaced far enough apart that I can do some tooling or spots, spikes, letter stamps, etc in the center... Very inspiring... Thanks for the instruction... Sláinte

[@LegatusBleedings]

This is awesome, you guys should try a cigar case. I that would look really good.

[@Breed2019]

Thank you❤

[@alixforien8388]

Thanks very beautiful work and clear data love it

[@danielirvine7468]

Have you made an apron before I am half way through making one but don't know a nice clean simple way how to do the straps would love to see a vid on this please

[@RJ_Macready717]

what specifically do I ask for regarding the flat stock metal at the hardware store? Thankyou for sharing great idea!

[@guyg5702]

Most hardware stores have hobby sheets of copper and brass. You could ask for copper flashing but that might be a bit thin.

[@mikeelia9452]

Very nice work, bravo!!!

[@Rambler6235]

Where can you find copper bars like that? Can you get a spool to cut different lengths?

[@scottmcelhaney9672]

Great project, enjoy your videos and workmanship. What grit sandpaper are you using, 600? Both times is it 600? Thanks for such great videos.

[@alejandrogiron5058]

Very nice. I want to make one.

[@MesserAaron13]

Could you edge paint something like this as well? Or is that not a good idea since it supposed to be bending ?

[@danielirvine7468]

Very cool ice and clean

[@ricardomaia1673]

👏👏👏👏👏👏 great job.

[@DavidChamberlainmusic]

Hi try annealing the copper . It will make the copper.much easier to work with. Have a great day! Ty for sharing!

[@TobyReilly]

What would I need to search for when looking for that copper core online? Is that like a piece of copper anode??

[@ridhwaan1199]

This looks really sick. I would love to start with leather working it looks gorgeous and easy 😍

[@CalebTWilliams]

Corter really makes it look easier than it is sometimes. It takes years of practice to get as good as he is at eyeballing these things. That's not to say you shouldn't get started! It's a really great craft and there are a lot more possibilities than you might imagine. Wallets and bracelets of course, Corter is top of the game at these, but there's also armor and shoes and anything you can think of. Leather craft is also expensive to get into - but if you plan to sell what you make, what I recommend is using your leather proceeds to buy more materials and buy one new tool for each project.

[@ridhwaan1199]

@@CalebTWilliams thanks I really appreciate that you have taken the time to type this out this will really help me in making my decision. 👌😀

[@davekimbler2308]

Good job ! I prefer aluminum because it forms better . Do you do inlays ? I just did my first and i like the way they look ! New Subscriber here !

[@Johnshobby]

Very simple and cool !

[@dcampbell855]

Great work, as always. You could also bend it around a piece of PVC pipe...

[@sandrabulluck1896]

PVC pipe???

[@donecafashion]

Just a tip. Anealing the copper tomake it softer before, can be very helpful when bending it to turn it into a bracelet. The bending prosedure will hardening it again.

[@jackelinejacques2988]

Hi, I’m Jack and I’m from Brazil. I’m start the sewing leather handbag now and I would to like make a question for you. What Are you using in the leather finish? I’m sorry but I don’t know English very well!

[@Revlon10]

Thank you

[@kittykat999a]

Hi. Great video. What grit of sandpaper are you using? Thanks.

[@eaneal999]

Great video! I would love to make this, but cannot find the pattern or a copper bar like that anywhere.

[@TheRedbeardster]

Really nice one. Thanks for sharing.

[@nata45554]

Очень аккуратная работа. Спасибо за мастер класс!👍

[@pasquale78]

Very cool idea Kelly. Also excellent executed.

[@JERSEYTOMATO]

Beautiful

[@YHVHTeaches777]

Is there a way to tool this leather making the same thing? Or is it necessary to use a thicker leather?