Leather is always popular but a hot trend these days is the stylish European leather bracelet.  Think Regaliz™ and you'll know what I mean. Need a supplier?  Then check out the German based international supplier, Endless Leather.  They have a huge range of leather types and styles -  flat, round, stitched, braided and in many different colors - as well as fabulous leather lace.



They supply individual crafters and artisans as well as small and large businesses. They offer graduated discounted prices for larger orders.  They ship worldwide and cater to 3 different currencies - US$, £ and €.


Endless Leather sent me some of their strass (crystal) embellished lace leather and assorted findings for review.  I made a couple of bracelets and a pair of earrings.


The first thing I did was to prepare the leather lace for a simple bracelet much like I did with the Regaliz™ bracelets I made before.

The end strass had to be removed so that the flat leather could fit snugly inside the leather findings. That's when I realized how well made these are. These crystals really stay put! It took a sharp awl and some manouvering to lever out a crystal.


The rivet cup it sat in was extremely difficult to remove so I left it and just flattened it down with my pliers.


After that, it was simply a case of adding some Super New Glue (not the kind you get in the store) to the leather ends and inserting firmly into the cord ends.  Super New Glue is amazingly good and my glue of choice now.



 I added some Swarvoski crystals as charms and the bracelet is done!


The downside is the strass leather lace is expensive compared to regular leather lace.  The approximate cost of the length I used is $7.  But on the plus side, the technique is really easy so where you will save is time.

I also made a matching pair of earrings and an adjustable multi-strand bracelet (I just had to use that gold tone clasp!).  The tutorials for these will appear later this week.




Giveaway
The folks over at Endless Leather are also sponsoring a $50 gift certificate giveaway for one lucky reader!

If you'd like to win some lovely leather,  please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Subscribers need to click on the post title to come to my actual blog. Scroll down and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.

This giveaway is international.

Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.

It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday,  June 24, 2013. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
 
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
Jewelry Making Tips - Jewelry Business Tips