If you went to Summer Camp as a kid, you’ll totally remember making lanyard keychains with that brightly colored plastic lace {I had tons of them!} …so I thought, why not do it with leather lace? And I did. And I love them! Pair them with stacks of other bangles and bracelets to add a little texture! {p.s. you can also make this into a necklace, headband or belt as well}
So I thought I’d show you how …and if you like, you can buy one of mine because I’ve listed a few in my Etsy shop.
Here’s What You’ll Need…
* Leather lace
* Chain
* Clasp
* Needle nose pliers/Scissors
Steps…
* Cut 2 strips of leather lace. Depending on your wrist size and how loose you want your bracelet, make them between 60 and 80 inches each. You can make up for a too short lanyard by adding extra chain but really, you want these to fit loose, like a bangle. So start with too much and cut away unwanted at the end.
* To begin, find the middle of one of your laces and wrap it twice around your finger. Find the middle of your second lace, slide it under both loops, bring one side over and under then repeat with the other side …slip off your finger and tighten
* Getting the first and last stitches done are the most difficult, so watch these videos for help, but otherwise it’s just loop/loop opposing laces then loop over and under and over and under with the leftover laces, then pulling it tight.
* To secure the end knot, leave your last box stitch loose then with each lace, loop around your nearest loop/under/up through the center …all the way around. Watch video here …trim your leather ends as much as you’d like. {also see last photo above}
* Using your pliers, open a link in your chain . . .
* . . . and loop it through one {or two} of the loops at the end knot. Add extra chain if you like.
* Open another chain, add it to your lobster clamp and loop it through the top {opposite side} or your lanyard.
And… Voila!
I made it with cognac and brown leather as well…
See me wearing it {links to full outfits from photos above}: Stacked with gold bangles, mixed with large and small bangles, bohemian style
Have Fun!
* Find all my DIYs here!
Vixi
So fab! xoxo
Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries
Well done! Very nice!!
xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/
P.S: Today is my blog’s Bday!!! 🙂 I’ll be hosting a giveaway which (I know for a fact 🙂 will blow your mind!!! 😀
Emily
SO cool – haha, I spent all day yesterday researching how to make cool stackable bracelets and this is the best tutorial I’ve seen! My blog post tomorrow is of all the pictures I found for inspiration…check it out!
xoxo Emily
BELLISHMENT
AlbeeLucky
ooh, I love these. You are so creative and inspiring. You have an amazing fashion sense.
-AlbeeLucky.blogspot.com
Ying
You are an f’n genius. Love it and I’m totally going to do it.
Jody
Awesome, going on my list of to do projects. Thanks!
Gaby_fez
El brazalete es bellisimo!!!
Besos y Saludos
~L~ of Avid Accents
these are too cute! and since when did you open an etsy shop?…umm yeah….*headed over right now*
~L~
Sick by Trend
fabulous! great blog!! i just discover and love it! im following!
Look my blog and if you like it, follow me!
http://www.sickbytrend.com
xx
sBt
Melody
I used to make these all the time when I was younger! Definitelty goin to make some bracelets
Julip Made
Hot jewelry, a DIY that reminds me of summer camp, and an adorable Frenchie… all things that make up a perfect Hump Day post. I’m more of a big dog person, but if I were to get a little dog, it would definitely be a Frenchie, and hopefully one with a proclivity for looking so damn cute!
~ Julie
MG
I was amazing at making the plastic version of these in summer camp. I will totally do this. Such a great idea!
Allie
Oh my god, this is such a fantastic idea! I used to make these all the time. I’m definitely inspired to start making one of my own. Also, your dog is too adorable.
http://www.thevanitylair.com/
Kayla
OOO I may have to order one from your etsy shop. Our craft store in this little town is sadly lacking in things even as simple as spools of leather!
Ramblings of a Small Town Girl
Fanciful Brainstorm – Tumblr
IrresistibleIcing.com
What a great idea! I love your dog too!! Sooo cute 🙂
Katie
Love this! Would have never thought to make it into a bracelet.
Krust
Okay, I have to do this! I absolutely love the leather next to the silver bangles. It looks great. Wear do you get the leather lanyard spools?
Anya adores
OMG how did you manage that – the bracelet is fab. Love your blog – first visit here, but I am certainly coming back. Have a lovely day.
Axx
http://anyaadores.blogspot.com/
Inés Cruz
Love both the dog and the brazelet. I used to do them in colourful plastic straps when I was little, but this idea sounds cool and refresing, and very chic!
http://www.chezagnes.blogspot.com
Jacqueline Toth & Line Kold
Amazing! I think i will try to do it myself! 🙂
http://www.linejacqueline.blogpsot.com
Jacqueline Toth & Line Kold
Amazing! I think i will try to do it myself! 🙂
http://www.linejacqueline.blogpsot.com
modanista junkie
Love the bracelet. You did a great job!
p.s. happy birthday to the hubby. Saw your tweets. 😉
xoxo,
melrod
stacy
great idea. i loved making these as a child – but you made them totally rad as an adult 😉
remember knotted bracelets made of thick thread?
hmmm…
Lily
Wow bringing summer camp memories back! Love it.
http://lilybirdblogs.blogspot.com/
Rachael
You’re making me want to pull out the hemp and beads from middle school necklace making days. I always made them but never wore them – I’d totally wear this! Super cute, as always!
Rachael
http://everydayconfetti.blogspot.com
raven
YES I SO remember making these out of those neon-colored strands back in the day, but to do this out of leather is all kinds of grown + sexy. Very very cool.
Anonymous
Hi LeRoy!
Abbe
Love this! I was actually thinking about doing this recently, also with leather, not the plastic lanyard of our youth! I am pretty sure I remember all of the stitches!
xoxo-
abbe
My Leather Jacket
Lexi
Love this!! These remind me of lanyards and summer camp.
xox Lexi
Glitter & Pearls
PeaceLoveApplesauce
These are fabulous, I love!!
Collections
Awesome DIY and adorable dog!
http://www.fashionablecollections.blogspot.com
Tiffany - I am Style-ish
I bought leather lace so long ago but haven’t done anything with them. This is the perfect project, I’m going to do it this weekend!
Thanks for your always awesome MIY’s! 🙂
Vania
I love the bracelet! And your mention of “leather lace” made me think of a good song, “Leather and Lace” by Stevie Nicks and Don Henley (or was it Glenn Frey?)
Anna
Thank you very much!!!=)
Sara
I love making custom lanyards like this!
Leonie
really nice 🙂
i like to try it soon 🙂
http://libelle-lfl.blogspot.com/
chyanne
This is a really great bracelet, stylish and once you can do this style you can make yourself and your mates one. really cheap but very special presents for xmas. i better start now though between work and the kids my crafty time is limited!
Amber
Great tutorial! Thanks! Question: Where do you buy your leather lace? I like the 2 tone of the one you used in the tutorial. I tried Michael’s but they only had suade lace 🙁
Irina
Love the bracelet!
Melissa A Manley
Love this DIY…can you share what kind of lace you used to get the 2 tone effect? I assume you got it at Tandy, but I’m not sure what to order. Thanks for an awesome DIY!!
Aina
I LOVE your DIYs. Very fun to see what you can make at home on your own!
Keep up the great work!
Smiles,
Aina
THE DUSTY LOFT
Sab
It’s so nice!! thank’s for the idea!
Andrew
Awesome tutorial! I have been looking for leather lace that looks somewhat like yours at Michael’s and other craft stores. I love the two tone effect that you were able to achieve. Where did you get the lace from if you don’t mind sharing?
Ooverhaul
Check out our DIY belt bracelets made from your old belts!—http://operationoverhaul.com/2011/09/belt-bracelets-tutorial/
Cheers,
Operation Overhaul
http://www.operationoverhaul.com
mich
Love these projects!!!!!!! Super cute!!!!!!!!
shikha
great bracelet i like it 🙂
http://www.psdaimaandsons.com/profile.html
maria
I love your bracelet! <3 you have a great sense of style…
where did you buy that kenneth cole watch?? it's gorgeous!
Lindsey Rowels
I really enjoy doing DIY tasks. Any chance to go crafts shopping. It is a little bit complicated, but I will give this a shot.
http://www.iamj.es/