Leather cords are a great way to add color, texture and volume to any jewelry you make!
Have a look at Cup Chain’s inspiration for ideas using the leather cords for the next time you want to add another material to your creations.
Here are 3 tips to help you work with leather cords:
Cut the edge of the cord:
Use a cutting tool and cut the edge of the cord in a diagonal line so it will be much easier to slip it into the link and to pull it from the back side.
Slipping the cord through a chain:
The basic way to work with these cords is to slip them between the links of the chain.
Hold the chain in one hand and slip the cord to the link from the front side, then slip it back from the back side to the front again.
Dealing with the edges of the cords:
So you slipped the cord all through the chain, what do you do with the edges of the cord to finish off the piece of jewelry you’re making?
There are a few ways to do so, here are two fast ways:
Use a plier tool and press the crimp end with the edges of the cords inside, until they can’t slip out. This is a good way to hold two cords together.
When you reach the last link fold the edge of the cord back words and glue it to the back side of the cord. The recommended glue would be “contact cement glue”, just make sure you work clean for a good looking result!
Necklace:
This is a very basic and fast way to thread a cord into a chain:
One row of Swarovski crystals and two rows of leather cords in two different colors, threaded into this wide chain, makes this necklace look very colorful, designed and gorgeous looking.
Bracelet:
There are many chains that you can thread cords or ribbons into them, it depends on the thickness of the cord and the space between the links of the chain. If the chain is wide enough, you can tread two cords into the chain.
You can play with the pattern when you thread the cord in every second link, or every thread link, creating different looks each time.
Tassel:
Sure, you can buy ready to use tassels, but sometimes you want to mix two colors of cords, or make them in a specific size, making tassels is really simple:
Cut a few pieces of cord in the same length, apply a decent amount of E6000 glue in the end cap, hold the cords together and squeeze them into the end cup and let it dry for a few minutes.
Tassels are a great colorful addition to necklaces, bracelets and earring!
Next time you are looking for that extra material which will be easy to work with and will add texture and color to your designs give these leather cords a try!
Have fun creating!
Cup Chain team.