Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
on “Using the Wire Twister Tool”:“I use a household power drill. Just insert the wire(s) into the tip and tighten.…” read »
on “Make a Transparent Resin Frame”:“super cool and simple! endless possibilities with this technique if using shapes created with heavier gauge…” read »
on “Using the Wire Twister Tool”:“Interesting tool,but I find my power drill works fast and you can put multi wires in…” read »
on “Wire Wrapped Cover on a Teardrop”:“Looks great, KRode!…” read »
on “Vintaj Metallic Patina effects”:“I plan to buy these products. I love the way the Patina looks and these videos…” read »
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“I like the messy version and the regular one depending on the look of the piece.…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“k ty…” read »
- on “How to use McLees Multi Strand Clasp”:
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on “Using the Wire Twister Tool”:“I love the tool and it's a great video! Thanks for all the helpful videos! Wire gauges…” read »
on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:“Just checked into the larger sheets. It doesn't appear that we'll be able to get 6x6,…” read »
- on “Make a Wire Wrapped Bead Link”:
“Thank you. E.W.…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“if you're looking for a quick easy glue option, the hypo cement or LimaStudios tends to…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“Dutchy-- My favorites are the hypo cement or our very own LimaStudios epoxy: http://www.limabeads.com/Adhesives-C3769…” read »
- on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“I'm new to jewelry making and have so much to learn. You mentioned using glue at…” read »
- on “Tying a Lark's Head Knot”:
“Thanks so much! My Mom picked up some beautiful donut pendants for me and I…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“I recently made 2 necklaces w/matching earrings with my first paper beads.sold both sets within a…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“I,too, would like to know when you have these kits back in stock. Thanks!!…” read »
on “Decorivets!”:“This is a great tutorial; to the point and simply put.…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“I want to try making the paper beads.When will the kit be back in stock?Can you…” read »
- on “Stamping Blanks”:
“Want to start doing this.Really like this.Only site that I have found the supplies.Thanks Lima Beads!…” read »
- on “Non-Identical Twins”:
“I love this idea!…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“I can't wait to try this, I just need to get the right supplies. I have…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Also I found awesome buttons for ten cent each at a local thrift shop…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“This is really cute! love the frog. I'm going to try this for the first time…” read »
on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:“I made a second bracelet using purple fishing line and no needle. I had started…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“nice n easy,thanks for that vedeo…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“I would like to try making paper beads.…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“i really like the video but cannot stand the music in the background. i find it…” read »
- on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:
“how about larger sheets?…” read »
- on “Making a Fish Tail Braid”:
“Very instructive. Very pretty…” read »
- on “Melting Pot Basics”:
“where are all the eggs i'v been on here alday today and havent found not evon…” read »
on “Stamping Blanks”:“I am new to this as well, I am using a hammer from the hardware store…” read »
- on “Using Paint Dabbers”:
“LOVE LOVE LOVE this site. Being a rookie metal stamper this site has provided me with…” read »
- on “Make a Birthstone Pendant”:
“This is such a great idea to "personalize" for craft fairs. I could make these up…” read »
- on “Using the Sliding Square Knot”:
“I'm excited to see this demo! I bought a bracelet that was finished this way and…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Carola, We do offer a couple of thread conditioners: http://www.limabeads.com/Thread-Conditioners-C4791 TOHO or C-lon thread is great for seed…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Also, do you need to separate the plys, as one would do in an embroidery skein,…” read »
- on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Could you just include in the written instructions, under the video, the list for the suggestions…” read »
- on “Setting Rivets with Anvil & Setter Tools”:
“I am just now starting to work with leather. Can't wait to learn these ideas.…” read »
- on “How to make a paper bead”:
“do you have patterns for other shape beads? Or where can I find that?…” read »
Our leather cuffs could certainly pass for a bracelet as is: the leather is soft, supple and elegant looking. But I know we’re a creative group and want to express our creativity in everything we do– we want to experiment, embellish and engrave our mark on the plain and mundane. I came up with a few ideas here to take the leather cuff to the next level. This will give you an idea of the sort of techniques you can enact on these cuffs to truly make them your own!
The Metallic Cuff
This look is really easy to achieve. All you need is a metallic StazOn ink pad and a couple of darker, earthy colored StazOn ink pads. I chose to use the gold metallic paired with saddle brown and timber brown. StazOn is a solvent-based ink that was designed specifically for non-porous and semi-porous surfaces such as leather so it’s really a no-brainer choice. 
All I had to do was stamp the metallic ink pad directly onto and across the leather cuff. Then I came in with the two different browns using them sparingly to distress the metallic gold. Less than 5 minutes later: Voilá!– classy vintage.
Step-by-step instructions here, in the design gallery!
The Re-purposed Focal
Focals aren’t just for necklaces– you can stitch them to your leather cuff to be the centerpiece of a bracelet. I took a Green Girl floral pendant and stitched it to the leather using 4 ply Irish waxed linen. The Irish waxed linen is great to use for this since it gives a great strong hold, so long as you have pulled it taut while stitching through the holes. You’ll want to use a rotary hole punch for punching holes with ease in the leather. Here, I punched holes around the border of the cuff so that I could add in a softer material to play off of the floral theme. A collapsible eye needle makes stitching through the holes with a larger material like ribbon a breeze. Step-by-step instructions here, in the Design Gallery!
Get even more creative by trying one of these focals:
The Charm Bracelet
Charm bracelets are typically on chain, right? I thought why not try it out on a leather cuff. Using just a rotary hole punch, leather cuff, charms, and jump rings you can invent a new take on the traditional charm bracelet. There are so many different themes you could explore with a variety of jump rings (colors and styles) or charms and other beads!
Step-by-step instructions here, in the Design Gallery!
The Stamped & Inked Cuff
First we’re using alcohol inks to color the leather. Alcohol inks are great in this case because you can blend several colors together giving a beautiful washed look. A rotary hole punch makes it easy to punch the size hole you want and the Irish waxed linen is the perfect material for stitching into the leather holes since it strong and grips in place when you stitch it through. I personalized this design by stamping text onto a copper blank and attaching it with the Irish waxed linen. You could also attach some of the Vintaj DecoRivets by punching holes into the leather, then just fold down the points to secure.
Step-by-step instructions here, in the Design Gallery!
Buy Products from this Tip
| Piece | $6.70 | OUT OF STOCK | |
Measurements: 1-1/2" wide, 9-1/4" long (39mm × 235mm)
On Sep 20, 2012 at 2:27 pm #
P Scrabeck says:How about studs and those pointed things to use on the bracelets. Do you have any of those? My granddaughter is a week-end goth person and I would like to make her some cool bracelets.
On Sep 20, 2012 at 2:45 pm #
Linda U says:How long are these leather cuffs? I know a couple men that would like them but need to know if they are long enough to go around a large wrist.
On Sep 20, 2012 at 7:00 pm #
Katrina S says:I LOVE the leather cuff charm bracelet! Gorgeous! I wish I could “Pin It”.
On Sep 21, 2012 at 10:48 am #
Lois D says:Linda,
That’s a good question; I wondered the same. The 235 millimeter conversion to inches equals 9.25 (inches), but that doesn’t account for what looks like an inch crossover to the first snap. I know that an eight inche cuff would be too snug from my husband
On Oct 04, 2012 at 3:09 pm #
Ali says:The measurements from snap to snap are approximately 7.5″ and 8.375″.
Hope that helps
On Dec 12, 2012 at 7:29 pm #
J comeau says:i have aleather cuffbracelet & it has rinestone studs about 6mm can you show to make and where to get the studs? joan c.