Learn at Lima Beads!
Get tips and techniques to become a better beader at Lima Beads.
Chatter
- T Lehr on “Non-Identical Twins”:
“I have always loved this idea! It really resonates with me. Interesting to see…” read »
- A Novo on “String a Guru Bead on a Mala Necklace”:
“I, too, need to know how to attach a tassel to the guru bead.…” read »
- terryhardee on “Wire Wrap a Bail on a Teardrop”:
“thank you. I've always wanted to try this…” read »
- TLC on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:
“I made one bracelet for my granddaughter and one for myself. They are easy and…” read »
- K McPhail on “How to make a paper bead”:
“Interesting that paper beads are "in" again... Nearly 50 years ago, crafters (including my grandma) were…” read »
- Stingray on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:
“Because of the constant abuse they usually get, glue is not an ideal hold for jump…” read »
- Stingray on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Moogie is right, if you need an answer from Lima you'll need to use the customer…” read »
- Joy T on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I’ve read in other tutorials to cut the elastic cord length needed and lightly pull each…” read »
- K Manley on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Perfect illustration and instruction for a knot-challenged brain …” read »
- dolllady aka Pam on “DIY Enamel Tile Bead Stretch Bracelets”:
“These look like fun to make bracelets, and even more fun to wear.…” read »
- angmoore2011 on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:
“I completely fell in love with the color of these little LillyPilly sheets and ordered my…” read »
- E moccaldi on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:
“Nice tutorial. For me, I would need more visual. The camera needs to be closer…” read »
- Dusty Rose on “How to set a Nunn Design Glass Dome”:
“Beautiful design!…” read »
- R Duhon on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Tip:If I have miss judged my project, I have found I can use a crimp cover…” read »
- L Bernadett on “How to Use Colorful Enamel Accents”:
“Looks like great stuff! Might try it.…” read »
- Wordgrrl on “Using ‘Swellegant’ Metal Coatings & Colorants”:
“Has anyone tried the clear sealant on glass beads with special finishes? I'm thinking of Czech…” read »
- C Dallara on “Preparing and Using Resin”:
“How do you use resin with an open frame and transfer sheet?…” read »
- Debi z on “Using Epoxy with Cabs and Settings”:
“i'd like to hear about securing jump rings closed too. thank you, debi…” read »
- Moogie on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“If you need an answer from Lima, use the customer service link. I don’t think they…” read »
- povertyridgeranch1 on “Wrap Loom Basics”:
“Did you ever receive an answer about them not answering questions???…” read »
- BeadsVenture on “Finishing Large Acrylic Chain”:
“Great post! Thank you!…” read »
- Jules H on “Using the Square Knot”:
“Hi size of hemp twine ??…” read »
- povertyridgeranch1 on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“Are the beads large hole beads? I'll be trying this also I just book marked the…” read »
- Moogie on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“DISCLAIMER—I haven’t actually put a decorative bead in the middle of a sliding closure, but I…” read »
- BEAD WABBIT on “Using Lillypilly Metal Sheets & Discs”:
“Can these sheets be die cut on a Big Kick/Big Shot machine using normal dies or…” read »
- kathrynfitzgerald on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“How do you get that decorative silver bead in the middle of the square knot? Also, can…” read »
- kathrynfitzgerald on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“How do you get that decorative silver bead in the middle of the square knot?…” read »
- J Kanalas on “Using the Snake Knot”:
“looking forward to learning this!…” read »
- N Rios on “DIY Pom-Poms”:
“Hi....my question is in regards to the ring used.....what is the gauge...or do you have it…” read »
- S Behn on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“Great tutorial, looks easy. Now I want to try it. Thanks Ali.…” read »
- MrsBaum on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“Good morning all, hoping to learn from everyone here. I love beads, and am hoping to…” read »
- Ebonyfrogg on “The Simple Wire Bracelet”:
“I'M HAVING A PROBLEM KEEPING THE WIRE PROTECTOR IN PLACE ...USING ECONOFLEX NYLON COATED .019IN. WIRE.CAN.T…” read »
- Scotti C on “Making a Memory Wire bracelet”:
“I love making and selling memory wire bracelets. I advertise them as "One Size Fits Most."…” read »
- doglover72 on “Using The Magic Finding”:
“I have seen the crimp beads here made in gold plated brass, which are much cheaper…” read »
- J Marable on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“I've made a lot of these...using gemstones & Fireline doubled (2 strands). Gemstones are very hard…” read »
- C Edmonds on “Make a Stretch Bracelet”:
“I used the elastic cord for awhile,but switched to the nylon cord for more strength(.05mm),because my…” read »
- C Edmonds on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“I like the crimp tubes better than the beads,myself,and use a crimp cover closer to give…” read »
- M Borland on “Making a Shamballa Bracelet”:
“What kind of glue is being used in this project?…” read »
- Drio on “Using a Crimp Cover”:
“Great advice! I’ve been doing it wrong for so long and getting so frustrated and wasting…” read »
- Octobermom on “Learning the Ladder Stitch”:
“B Tuttle - ibuse Fireline on a regular. It’s durable and can stand the pulling…” read »
How to Finish 10mm & 20mm Hand Tooled Leather Straps
Show off this cool hand tooled hand dyed leather by wrapping around your wrist one, two, three, even four times! Below we are showing you several ways to easily finish off the ends to complete your desired bracelet.
Getting Started
If you don’t already have these supplies, you should pick them up to get started on your leather strap project.
If you’re new to riveting leather, check our handy step-by-step instructions.
10mm Leather Bracelet with Slotted D-Ring Clasp
10mm Leather Bracelet with Rock & Roll Strap Tip
20mm Leather Bracelet with Riveted Fold-Over
20mm Leather Bracelet with Button Clasp
Shop all our Button Clasps »
Any of our buttons smaller than 30mm will work. Here are a few of our favorites:
Troubleshooting

This is what could happen if you bend your leather strap too severely.
If you’re bending the leather to finish your bracelet, be careful not to bend the strap too much or the surface may crack. You should end up with a teardrop-shaped loop at the end as opposed to a fold. Never use pliers to pinch it together! If you do crack your leather, don’t despair. You can use a Sharpie to touch it up. A variety of colors can be found at any store that sells office supplies.
Additional Images:
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10mm Leather Bracelet with Slotted D-Ring Clasp |
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10mm Leather Bracelet with Rock & Roll Strap Tips |
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20mm Leather Bracelet with Button |
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20mm Leather Bracelet with E-Hook Clasp and Riveted Fold-Over End |
Read the comments (or add your own)
Add your thoughts!
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On Apr 20, 2021 at 3:18 am
YOU say:

On Aug 22, 2013 at 6:05 pm #
Topp3 says:These new bracelets are absolutely fabulous . They are definitely going to be a big hit!
On Aug 23, 2013 at 7:22 am #
Allison E says:These are beautiful straps. I will have to try this asap!
On Aug 23, 2013 at 10:24 am #
LaKisha D says:LOVE it!!!
On Sep 01, 2013 at 7:01 pm #
Noor says:i love itttttttt
On Sep 04, 2013 at 6:22 pm #
L Carver says:I have purchased just about all styles of this new leather. I LOVE IT! I am new to this site and to jewelry making all together. I also purchased rivets with the sun and star heads to match the leather design. They have no back or female end and I have not been able to make them flatten out to hold in the leather. Can someone please help me to understand what I need to do to make them work? Once done, I would love to post some of the designs I have come up with. Thank you in advance!!!
On Sep 10, 2013 at 8:41 am #
J Kidd says:when are you going to have the sold out items back in stock?I need some lobster claw clasps, rock and roll strap tips, and some e clasps
On Nov 27, 2013 at 1:25 pm #
Jeanne S says:I made a nice wrap bracelet out of the red tooled leather. Then I noticed that my wrist was stained dark pink and there were water spots on my bracelet. The dye comes off. What should I do to rescue the rest of it? I have some of the spray that you put on leather boots to make them waterproof. Should I use that? I want to preserve the rest of the color.
On Nov 27, 2013 at 10:20 pm #
Jeanne S says:Also, on the wide blue strap, how did you attach the button?
On Nov 28, 2013 at 12:24 am #
Wild Mustard says:From what I understand from a conversation in which I asked about the size of jump rings used in the first photo (the toggle set does not come with them), these photos are from the manufacturers. It may just be my own ineptitude, but I cannot find any instructions on how to DO these. Also, the holes in the riveted foldovers are too small for rivets. You can tell by the placement, which is actually too close to the edge, that the hole had to be enlarged and could not be placed at what at least I would consider a more aesthetically pleasing distance. I know this about the holes because I just ordered the blanks in copper, pewter, and brass. Along with blue leather (like the one with the star button that we don’t know how to attach) which now I also realise may not be waterproof.
If and when I actually achieve these bracelets, I will post pix of them. In the meantime, if anyone else had actually managed to MAKE one, or more, and has tips or advice, I would be so happy to know!
On Nov 30, 2013 at 3:03 am #
Jeanne S says:Update: I sprayed the waterproofing spray on it and it didn’t help at all.
On Dec 05, 2013 at 6:49 pm #
N BarilukSmith says:I love the red bracelet . It looks like there is some yarn attached to it. Do you have a picture of the top of this bracelet?
On Dec 09, 2013 at 5:45 pm #
Jeanne S says:I searched a bit and it appears that this leather comes from Finbay Leather Co. All their sites have been taken down. I found another website that sells it, so I left the question on their site.
On Dec 11, 2013 at 10:17 pm #
Jeanne S says:Finbay.com is online now. I tried to ask a question but it said my email wasn’t valid. So I left a review of the product, which they have to review first. But I am hoping someone will contact me to find tell me how to save it.
On Dec 19, 2013 at 3:46 pm #
Wild Mustard says:Jeanne – thanks for letting us know about the waterproofing spray. I may have time to tackle these at New Year when I’m home with my son. I hope you hear from the producers of the leather.
On Dec 20, 2013 at 2:11 am #
Jeanne S says:They didn’t respond and they didn’t put up my review. I talked to someone online at another website that sells it, and she said that the red dye is different from the other dyes. She didn’t know it comes off. So I still don’t know what to do about it.
On Jan 05, 2014 at 12:44 am #
Jeanne S says:One more thing, the color on the blue leather doesn’t rub off. I cut the wide piece to make two bracelets (saved half). For the first I used a 20 mm. magnetic clasp for flat leather. The leather is very stiff. If you work it for a while it loosens up a bit. The clasp wouldn’t stay closed. So I got a blue rubber O ring around it and now it seems okay. I am going to try to figure out how to attach a button on the other half (the only thing I can think of is to tie it on with a bunch of cord, so any other suggestions would be welcome). I still don’t know how to seal the red leather. I would avoid the red.
On Jan 14, 2014 at 12:09 am #
Jeanne S says:So, I found out from the Lima Team that the button is ties on with some cord (waxed linen) through two holes punched in the leather (so my guess was good). I bought some leather sealer thus evening and I am going to try some on the back of the bracelet to see if it helps. I will report back.
On Jan 15, 2014 at 1:11 am #
Jeanne S says:Okay, I think I so,vied the red dye problem I bought a jar of a sealer called Eco-Flo Super-Shene (sic) Leather Finish. Tandy makes it. It comes in matte as well, which I would have preferred, but the store had a single bottle and it was glossy. I followed the instructions-I did two coats on each side. I used a brush. It dried quite quickly, and also gave a more “finished” look to the back. A little more red dye came off while I was doing it. I put it on when it was dry and so far no red color has come off! I’ve had it on for a couple of hours. So far so good.
On Jan 15, 2014 at 1:13 am #
Jeanne S says:First sentence should be “Okay, I think I solved the red dye problem.” Sorry.
On Jan 23, 2014 at 12:40 pm #
Wild Mustard says:Jeanne, you are amazing and wonderful and thank you for boldly going
I ended up moving starting at the end of Dec, still moving, but about to get dedicated craft room set up. And I WILL tackle the leather. I am so glad for your suggestions and your info. I have one of the blue leather pieces and I am itching to get at it. I will report back.
On Jan 24, 2014 at 4:50 pm #
mkgrimes says:I suggest you try this product (rather expensive but supposedly good for nearly everything!) called Renaissance Wax. It was developed by or for the British Museum several years ago to use to protect their artifacts/furniture/armor/metals/leather too, I think. It’s a microcrystalline wax. I haven’t actually used it on anything yet, but I have read and heard about it and it sounds like a truly great product. (I think I saw somewhere one of the Lima team said the leather makers recommended paste wax from the hardware store, but now I can’t find it??) Good luck! I love these leather straps–wish they were wider s I could make a belt from them…are they thick enough, do you think? Thanks.
On Jan 27, 2014 at 11:30 pm #
Jeanne S says:I can actually wear my first bracelet as a belt. They are pretty thick.
On Jan 30, 2014 at 8:29 pm #
P Ivans says:Almost everything on this page that I wanted is sold out…any chance you’ll be getting a shipment in any time soon?
)
On Apr 13, 2014 at 7:38 pm #
B Reynolds says:Finally found the TierraCast products I was looking for. I’ll definitely order more goodies from Lima Beads!
On May 23, 2018 at 7:07 am #
Michelle says:I love these bracelets !! I think they’re really cool !!