how to make a single strand leather bracelet

Supplies:

• 2 - fold over crimps
• leather (we're using lead free leather in a 1.5mm)
• 2 - 6mm jump rings
• 1 - clasp
• charms or beads that slide on the leather 

  How to:

1.  Cut your leather to the correct length (remember that your clasp will take up 1/2" or more). For women's bracelets, the standard length is 6.5 to 7.5 inches. A bracelet of 7 inches is the most common in women's jewelry. (source: Overstock.)
2.  Put a fold over crimp on one end of the leather.  To use a fold over crimp, you'll use your chain nose pliers and fold one side of the crimp over and into the leather. 
3. Then fold the other side over.  This creates a secure 'tube' that your leather is in. 
4. Open one of your jump rings (remember to twist your jump rings in opposite directions to open them; don't pull them apart - pulling them ruins the shape) and use it to attach your clasp to the loop on the fold over crimp.
5. Slide on your charms, or in our case, a pretty little glass heart.
6. Repeat steps 2 - 4.

Other ideas:

The bracelet below has two strands with the leather knotted between the beads, as well as a length of chain to make it adjustable.  To do this, instead of adding the jump ring to the non-clasp side, you just attach a few inches of chain.  I recommend making the actual bracelet part (the leather) shorter, so that you don't make your bracelet too long.

 - Anne.

P.S. - if you're confused or unsure about this project, we're always here to help!  We also offer a lot of jewelry making classes in our Denver bead store - The Colorado Bead Company.