merlesen's copycat

I was so fascinated by Merlesen's self-made leather bracelet she posted in the 'Know your moderator' contest on BT anniversary. I tried to work it our myself, but sadly all the leather cords I had were too thick and it looked odd, so I snagged DH's rigging yarn and wrapped that around half of the doubled leather. Because the leather is so thick, I can now only use artisan beads and TBs with cores big enough. But actually this is the first bracelet where the big Buddha head sits snugly!

Looks fab, mmp.

Love it and awsome pic too!! We need to get a tutorial on how to do that...I think it looks great!!

mermaidspurse wrote:I was so fascinated by Merlesen's self-made leather bracelet she posted in the 'Know your moderator' contest on BT anniversary. I tried to work it our myself, but sadly all the leather cords I had were too thick and it looked odd, so I snagged DH's rigging yarn and wrapped that around half of the doubled leather. Because the leather is so thick, I can now only use artisan beads and TBs with cores big enough. But actually this is the first bracelet where the big Buddha head sits snugly!

This is just fantastic.....so interesting with the texture of the cord against the silvers.....

A special combination.

I like your thick leather cord. Looks so nice with the beads.

Trolldog wrote:Love it and awsome pic too!! We need to get a tutorial on how to do that...I think it looks great!!

its lovely!!! love those brown stones next to buddha x

Rainbow wrote:its lovely!!! love those brown stones next to buddha x

Those are striped agates as they look when they are not dyed ! A wonderful trollfairy gave me these two a long time ago, I love them! So soft and subtle...

margiegoodwin wrote:

Trolldog wrote:Love it and awsome pic too!! We need to get a tutorial on how to do that...I think it looks great!!

I took a leather cord and doubled it up in the bracelet length needed. I glued the 2 ends together so that they stick together while I do the wrapping. You need loops on both ends where you want to place the lock, so the ends of the leather cord should be positioned in the middle of the part you want to wrap. No problem if the glue makes them stick to the other half of the strap, that even helps.
Then I used a wrapping method you use for securing the end of ropes so that they don't fray, called 'whipping knot'. Very secure and no visible ends!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_whipping

Just wrap very tightly over the glued part until you think the yarn part is long enough. Then finish the whipping knot as shown and you're ready...
I used waxed rigging yarn from DH's boat supply, but I think any strong yarn will do. But the wax makes the textile thread stick together and gives a very rustic look!

Brilliant work Mermaids purse