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Beaded Cuff Bracelet
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Beaded Cuff Bracelet Instructions
Instructions on using Lacy's Stiff Stuff and deerskin when making a cuff bracelet:
Today we're going to talk about making a Cuff Bracelet using the following materials:
1. 1" wide copper or brass cuff blank .(We sell these under supplies)
2. Lacy's Stiff Stuff (We also sell this under supplies. We can even dye it for you if you wish.)
3. Enough center row beads to go from one end to the other, or a cab.(see other articles for using cabs)
4. Enough seed beads to cover the Cuff Bracelet and do the edge beading.
5. Leather for the backing. We use deer leather it's very soft and strong. |
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Next thing that you need to do is cut the Lacy's Stiff Stuff. You are making a bracelet that is 1" across and a bit over 7" long. Your Stiff Stuff will need to be 1 1/2 to 2" across and at least 8"" long. What I would do if I were you is turn the sheet of Lacy's Stiff Stuff on it's side, measure it so that you have about a half inch hanging over the sides of the bracelet blank. Using a ruler, drawing a line across the Stuff Stuff with a pencil. Cut it out of your page of Stiff Stuff. Then take the piece and cut the sharp corners into rounded corners. Just makes it easier; so the thread doesn't get hung up on the edges. Now, again using your ruler, find the center of the piece, and draw a line lengthwise down the middle with a light pencil line. This will be the row with the Center beads. Next, you need to measure the size you want the bracelet to be and mark those edges onto the Stiff Stuff. Keep in mind that there will be edge beading, and that will add to the final size.(if you bead exactly 1" wide, the final product will be close to 1 1/2" due to edge beading.) Now, Thread your needle with thread you have beeswaxed and tied a knot at the end. Decide which end you are going to start at (probably the right side) and sew up thru the Lacy's Stiff Stuff from underneath. Pick up all the beads that you need for the middle row and lay it across to make sure it will fit. Adjust if needed. Sew down through the Lacy's Stiff Stuff. Bring the needle back up thru theStiff Stuff a couple beads away, go thru those beads, sew back down. Continue all the way across the row of beads to securely anchor all of the beads. Now, you can start your rows surrounding the center beads. Come up thru the Lacy's Stiff Stuff close to the beads. (but not from underneath them. make sure it's from BESIDE them.) Pick up three seed beads and push them down the thread onto the Stiff Stuff. Holding them still with the thumb of your left hand, sew down thru the Stiff Stuff at the very end of the beads. Come back up thru the Stiff Stuff at the beginning of the beads, then pass your needle thru the beads again. Pick up three more beads. Slide them down the thread and onto the Stiff Stuff....sew down at the end of them just like you did the first three. Now, come back up thru the Stiff Stuff FOUR beads back. This connects the first three to the second three. Pass your needle thru all four beads. Pick up three more beads.....and continue all the way around the beads. Continue making rounds around the beads until you have the bracelet as large as you want. Measure the beadwork against the bracelet blank to make sure your sizing is accurate. It needs to cover the blank, plus a tiny bit on the edges. If you are happy with the size, tie off your thread and cut it off. Trim the excess Lacy's Stiff Stuff off the beadwork, staying close to the beadwork but making sure not to cut any threads.
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Now, you need to cut the leather. I suggest a SHARP pair of Fiskars. Decide if you want the smooth side to face out (against the skin) or if you want the suede side facing out. (I use the smooth side; feels good against the skin)Turn the leather lengthwise,and flip it over. (If you want the smooth side facing out, have the suede side facing up now) measure it into 2" wide pieces with your ruler and draw a line across with a PEN. See why we flipped the leather over? So you don't draw with pen on the side you want to stay pretty! Don't worry about how long the ends are....they will do that because of the curvature of the blank; and Don't worry about making the leather the exact shape and size of the bracelet yet. We'll do that later.
Once you have your strips of leather cut, you are ready to go on to the blanks. To help the glue adhere to the smooth surface, I rough it up. Both sides of the blank. You can use a dremel or sandpaper....whatever you have that will rough up the smooth surface of the brass. Now, unbend your blank a little. Not too much....just enough to make this next part easier. Slather the underside of it with glue. I recommend E-6000 glue; you can get it at any WalMart or Menards. Now, take your strip of leather (I'm just going to assume you are keeping the smooth side facing out) and press the suede side to the glued blank. Press gently but firmly and smooth it out as you go. Let it sit a few minutes. Now, slather the back of your beadwork with glue and press it onto the leathered blank, pressing not only to the blank, but to the leather as well.See what you are doing here? Sandwiching the blank in between the beadwork and the leather. If excess glue smushes (nice technical term, huh?) out, just scrape it away with your fingernail. Let this dry well. I let mine sit overnight to be extra secure, but a couple hours may be enough. Just make sure that it is secure, not sliding around at all when you go on to the next part.
Which is......trimming the leather. Cut the excess leather off right at the edge of the beadwork. You want them to be the same size. Now, you can do your edge beading. There are many kinds of edge beading that you can do; many people use a zipper edge, but I have found that a rolled edge works best for bracelets. They don't catch on stuff as easy, but it is your choice! If you want to do rolled edging, here it is:
Thread your needle with beeswaxed thread. Tie a TINY but secure knot in the end. Pass your needle thru the beads at the very edge of the beadwork to anchor the thread in the beadwork, going thru the LSS and the leather. It is important that you go thru BOTH the LSS as well as the leather! You want this to be at the very edge. Pick up three beads. Sewing from the top of the beadwork down, go thru the LSS and the leather again. Pick up three more beads. Sew down through the LSS and the leather again, close to the first three beads. Continue in this manner all the way around. When you are done, don't tie off the thread; anchor it inside the beadwork itself by sewing through the beads of the design. Go around at least once, more if you can. Pull thread very tightly and snip off. This will pull the end into the beadwork and hide it.
VOILA! You now have a gorgeous piece of wearable art that you were able to create, DESPITE my instructions!! :)
It is so much easier to SHOW someone how to do something than it is to TELL them! If you have any questions at all, please feel free to e-mail me. I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have!
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