DIY Anchor Leather Bracelet Tutorial

If you saw my DIY bracelet post featuring gold tube beads and leather, you may remember that I promised a bonus project to use up your extra leather cord. 

I used my extra pieces to make this anchor and leather bracelet in two colors. It's just as easy as the original project!

Take your extra cord, and measure around your wrist. You can make it fairly snug, or larger like a bangle. Up to you! Sometimes I do this with a piece of twine or other string, instead of using the cord I'm going to be cutting. 

This is the total length of your anchor charm, end caps, jump rings, clasp, and cord. It helps to lay everything out on your work surface. For the lengths of cord on either side of the anchor, you'll want to double them and note that some of the length will be inside the end cap (so add a few millimeters if you want the bracelet to be snug).

I decided to go with this gold anchor charm, since it had space on both ends for me to string cord. I'll be stringing the round leather cord through the loop on the top, and around the prongs at the bottom of the anchor.

I used gold because I like how it contrasts with red and blue, but you can use whatever metal color you like.

Take your two lengths of cord, and string them as shown. Don't worry about making them completely even - you can do that in the next step.

Find some gold tube crimp beads. These ones are 7.5mm on the inside, so they were wide enough to accommodate two widths of my 3mm cord.

Even up your cord lengths so they are folded perfectly in half. Add a crimp bead near where you strung your cord on either end, and use needle-nose or jeweler's pliers to tighten. Be careful not to tighten too much, however. You want the two sides of cord to lay flat next to each other, rather than stacking on top of each other.

Also, don't put a crimp bead too close to the prongs at the bottom. Leave a bit of space so that the anchor charm will lay flat when you wear the bracelet. If you put the crimp bead too close, it will end up right under the anchor charm instead of next to it, and won't look right.

Add your end caps, as described in the gold tube and leather bracelet post. Let the glue dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.

Add jumps rings and a clasp to the end caps, and your bracelet is finished. You can see the blue version I made here.

This nautical-themed bracelet is great for summer, but also works well for adding a touch of the sea and ocean to your outfit year-round. Like the gold tube and leather bracelets, this anchor bracelet would make a thoughtful handmade Christmas or holiday gift!

DIY Leather and Gold Tube Bracelets Tutorial

These leather and gold tube bracelets seem to be everywhere lately. The good news is that you can make your own custom version very easily, in exactly the colors you want! You can also make more for friends and family members - they'd make great handmade Christmas or holiday gifts.

First, decide which color cord you'd like. I went with bright red, since I like how it contrasts with gold. You could also use silver or brass findings, if you'd prefer a different metal.

I used 3mm round cord, so it wouldn't be too thick or too thin. You need round cord to go with the tube beads - they just won't sit right on flat cord.

I threw in some blue cord as well, just for contrast. This one is a very bright, indigo blue.

Other than gold tube beads (not shown), you'll need a few other types of findings. For the record, since my cord was 3mm, I used 4mm tube beads. 3mm would be too tight, but 5mm would be too big. Try to go only 1mm over your cord width.

You'll need to choose a clasp. I went with these gold lobster ones. They make it much easier to put on bracelets yourself than other types of clasps.

You'll need some jump rings as well. I went with ones that are 4.5mm across inside (6mm total). You could use a slightly smaller one if you'd like, but I wouldn't go any larger.

You'll need end caps for your cord. I went with these flat ones, so I could fit two lengths of cord inside. This gives your bracelets a "stacked" look, while halving the number of clasps you have to open and close! You could use single ones, or larger ones (say, for 3 or 4 lengths of cord). These ones are 7mm x 3mm.

I measured my cord by wrapping it around my wrist and then cutting. Remember that adding end caps, jump rings, and clasps will add a bit of length to your bracelet. So if you don't want them to be too loose and bangle-y, go with a slightly shorter length. Make sure your lengths are the same if you'll be using the double end caps (or larger). Otherwise, they'll bunch up in strange ways instead of sitting neatly on top of each other.

Slide a gold tube bead onto each length of cord. With one length of cord, I tried adding a dab of glue in the middle of cord and then stringing the bead over it to keep it from moving around. Let's just say that the glue got pushed around and went everywhere *but* inside the tube! I found I didn't need it with the other lengths - the tube beads are tight enough on the cord not to slide around much (if at all).

Attach your end caps. I used a dab of jewelry-appropriate glue on the inside of the cap, just to make sure the cords don't slip out. The cords will fit very tightly into the cap, but I just wanted a little extra security.

I chose to use the same colors of cord in each, but you could do multiple colors. Play around and see what you like the best!

When the glue has dried completely (follow the directions on the bottle/jar), add a jump ring to one end and a jump ring & clasp to the other. Here's what your finished bracelets will look like unclasped!

Here are the finished bracelets, stacked on top of each other like they would be on a wrist. Make as many or as few as you like - it's very easy to customize these in every way.

In my next post, I'll have a bonus project to use up your extra lengths of cord!

New Fall/Autumn Printables in the Shop!

We're still unpacking and getting settled into the new place. What is it about the last few boxes of random bits and pieces? It seems like it's always hard to find places (or storage) for the remaining items once I'm 95% unpacked. Does that happen to anyone else?

But I'm still here, and still trying to blog when I can! I thought I'd update you on some new pieces I've added to the shop for fall/autumn. The first reads "I Love Autumn", with the "o" replaced by a maple leaf. The words are in orange on a antique paper-looking background.

This piece is also available in red, for anyone who thinks cherry red fall leaves are the prettiest. I can't decide if I love bright orange or bright red ones the best myself.

Can you tell I like maple leaves? They always seem to be the brightest, loveliest colored leaves out of all the tress. And they come in so many varieties and shapes! So I couldn't resist creating a printable set of two maples, one in scarlet and one in golden orange.

Last, I created an "I Love October" digital print with pumpkins replacing the o's in "October". In Massachusetts, that's when we get peak foliage. It's also the best time of the year for picking apples at local orchards and visiting farmers' markets.

I hope you like the new printables! You can see more of the digital prints available in my store - HeritageCurrentCo - here.

Hot Time, Summer in the City

I hope everyone in the U.S. had a lovely Independence Day! It was too hot in Boston - thanks to a string of sweltering 90+ days - to go see the fireworks. I could still hear them from my window, so I guess that's a small consolation.

The city's festivities reminded me of these vintage sparkler boxes that I found in a relative's basement years ago and finally scanned last summer. I love the starburst pattern of the fireworks, the small scattered stars, and the lettering. Simple but interesting! I thought you guys might enjoy it as well.

The main problem with the Fourth of July is that it's the last summer holiday. No more long weekends until Labor Day! July is the epitome of summer to me, but in a way the 4th also means that fall is on its way. I'm definitely looking forward to cooler days and nights. I just wilt in the heat!

What do you think - is there still plenty of summer left, or are you thinking of autumn already too?

Happy Fourth of July!

Here's wishing a Happy Fourth of July to all of you in America! I hope you have a day/weekend filled with red white and blue, fireworks, barbecues, rocket popsicles, and parades.

I'll confess: I don't really decorate for Independence Day. It's one of my favorite holidays, but I always want to do something different than little flags and bunting everywhere. I love both of those things, but I'm always looking for something that's more classic Americana and that could be displayed year-round.

Some of these items might just do the trick! I like the vintage charm and classic look of these wooden pallet star signs by RusticDesigns1. They'd look great on top of a mantel, over a couch, or even hanging on a porch by the door. I just can't decide if I'd want one color, or all three. Tough decision! You could easily DIY your own version as well. Just take a square or rectangle piece of wood (or strips of wood nailed together), varnish or stain it with your choice of color, then stencil a star in the middle with red, blue, or white acrylic paint. Let dry, and hang!

I've been obsessed with barn stars like these vintage iron ones by Becaruns for ages. If you walk around the older parts of Boston, you can see original ones from the colonial days still attached to the sides of old brick buildings in the city. They remind me of our patriotic and historic past.

July 4th wouldn't be complete without some stars and stripes! This flag by PassedBy is a vintage one, featuring only 48 stars (from before Alaska and Hawaii joined the union). It's discolored a bit with age, but I think that only adds to its loveliness.

I'd like to take a minute to thank all those who have served in the military, risking their lives to protect our country, and to remember family members and ancestors who have served but who are no longer with us.

Again, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! 

DIY Glittered Birds from the Dollar Store

Here's another quick and easy DIY project for the holidays: festive birds using inexpensive birds from the dollar store and colored glitter!

I bought a couple doves and cardinals from the local dollar store. They looked okay, but the feathers were a bit thin in places and they looked, well, cheap up-close. So I decided to fancy them up!

I brushed on Mod Podge with a small brush, doing small areas at a time. I put a piece of paper underneath the birds to catch glue drips and spills, and then carefully shook glitter over the glue-painted parts.

For the dove, I decided to do the wings first. Then I did the tail. Finally, I did the beak and feet. I used silver glitter (also from the dollar store, although more expensive German glass glitter would look even better!). I liked the way it contrasted with the white - it seems very Winter Wonderland-y to me!

I used red for the cardinal and covered everything except the black face mask and eyes. However, I only painted one area at a time so that the glue would not dry in places before I'd applied the glitter.

Voila! Here's what they look like from above. Try not to touch them too much after you sprinkle on the glitter. Give them an initial tap or two to get off the excess (and pour it back into the container so as not to waste it), but then let them dry thoroughly. After they've dried, if some areas need more glitter, carefully dab on more glue and shake on glitter again. Repeat until you get the desired effect.

At this point, you have two options. You can leave them as is and when you go to use them, you might get glitter on nearby surroundings as tiny pieces come loose. Or, you can seal the glitter. I recommend the latter! (Side note: also great for DIY glittered heels, gift tags, ribbons, fascinators, etc.)

You have quite a few choices: pastel or charcoal fixatives, acrylic spray sealants, Mod Podge (might take off glitter when you brush it on, though), or other glue-type sprays. I'm going to try an Elmer's version. I'll report back and let you know how it works once I've applied it. Whatever you use, make sure you follow the directions on the can/container!

These have wired feet, so you can turn them into ornaments for the tree after they've dried. They'd also look great tucked into Advent wreaths, Christmas wreaths, garlands, or on top of presents (for very lucky recipients!).

I still have a few of these birds leftover. I might make the dove light pink or yellow for Easter, and do the cardinal in blue (so it looks like a Blue Jay) or another bright color for the summer. Just change your glitter color to match the season!

What would you use these for? Any other ideas?

Rose Hips and White Spider Mums

Just wanted to add a note to my earlier post about arranging rose hips for a simple late fall/winter table centerpiece.

I ended up adding in some inexpensive mums to mine after a couple weeks (the rose hips last forever!), and I really love the way the white mums pop against the deep reds of the rose hips. It's very Christmas-y without using the obvious evergreen and holly sprigs. The petals of the mums almost look like frosty icicles, don't you think?

Easy Thanksgiving Table Arrangement

The period between colorful fall leaves and Christmas greenery can be a bit bare when it comes to centerpieces. Stacks of gourds and fruits weren't really in the budget for Thanksgiving, so I decided to gather local berries and seed pods from our garden for my Thanksgiving table instead.

Here I combined two types of rose hips (wild and regular garden roses), a plumed stalk of dried grass, and sprigs of wild bittersweet. I put them in lanterns etched with fall leaves (see my earlier DIY post) and surrounded them with LED flickering candles, some of which were placed in mercury glass-like holders. I'll be posting a DIY for the holders this week!

What did you decorate your table with?

Someone Said There'd Be Peanuts...

While away, we took a little jaunt to a nearby zoo and spotted this fellow looking for treats with his agile trunk.

Animals can be so incredibly strange and wondrous sometimes, don't you think?

DIY Antique Victorian Padlock Pendant Necklace

Think of a symbol of love, and a heart probably springs to mind first. I'd bet every woman owns a heart-shaped piece of jewelry!

I decided to be a little less obvious, however, when I came up with this necklace. Don't get me wrong - I love hearts as much as the next girl - but I just wanted something a bit different. Since I love all things Victorian, I decided to seek out an antique padlock from the time period.

This one seemed perfect! It's kind of a stylized heart - with the narrower bottom and the rounded part at the top of each side - but it's not too obvious at first glance. I like to think of it as a "key to your heart"-type piece. It would make a great gift for a girlfriend, Christmas, or Valentine's Day.

To find your own padlock pendant, search on Etsy or Ebay!




I fell in love with the tiny door over the keyhole. It has a crown and the letters V.R. (Victoria Regina, or Queen Victoria) etched on it, and "patent" is etched on either side of the hole underneath. They're simple details, but they give the piece a lot of history and charm. I wonder what this was used for! Was it used by the Royal Household?



I tied it onto a piece of bright red ribbon. I thought it would be a nice change from a chain, as this one would require a very thick and chunky one so as not to break. Not quite my style, so I went with this. You could also use some kind of cording, like satin or leather!

I also left the slightly-rusty part around the top. If you find a lock with more rust, just file or sandpaper it off, wipe with a damp cloth, and then seal with Rustoleum (or something similar) to prevent further rusting.


Here's the keyhole underneath. I don't know if I could find a replacement key, but as I have no intention of using this as a lock, it's not important.

I think I'll wear this with the little door slightly ajar, so that you can see all the details of this fascinating little lock at one glance. It's a pretty versatile pendant - you can wear it with jeans and a leather jacket to add some sweetness and softness , or you can go boho and pair it with a breezy, gauzy summer dress. You could also put it on a shorter cord or chain and wear it as a bracelet.

How would you wear this? I'd love to hear your ideas.

DIY Heart Doily Door and Table Decor Project

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd post a project to help use up all those extra holiday supplies. This simple-yet-lovely wreath is great for hanging on a door or using to decorate a table. It makes a great placemat for placing under your teapot, or under a tray of cakes and sweets at a tea party.


If you're anything like me, you have lots of these heart-shaped doilies sitting around after Valentine's Day. They get tucked away in a box, never to see the light of day until the next February 15th. Or you forget you have them and buy more (I have never done this...).



Using a glue stick or a bottle of glue, take two doilies and line them up. I lined up the bottom at the 5th scallop from the bottom, and the top at where the scallops just touched the outside border of the heart. Make sure the doily on the right is on top of the doily on the left.

Add another doily, placing it on top of the second doily, and lining it up in the same. If you line the doilies up at the same spots, they will naturally form a circle! Go around like this until the circle is complete.


Take a red (or other-colored) heart doily, and glue it in the center just at the points where it overlaps the circle.


There you have it! Let the glue dry, and then hang on a door or use as a festive, love-themed placemat.

This would also be a lovely way to decorate your wedding reception space. You could make a few circles and then lay them on every table, or group them together on a wall with marriage-themed words and phrases written on the center heart.

London Neighborhood Prints by Little Gonzales

These London neighborhood prints by Little Gonzales, featuring the sights of the city's various areas, are so wonderful! He mixes witty phrases with classic British icons, all in bright colors.

I think the little bird above "Hampstead Heath" is my favorite detail. So clever and whimsical! See more of Little Gonzales' work here.

Autumn's Fire

I took this photo today of a maple tree's leaves turning lovely shades of gold, orange, and scarlet. Autumn foliage is always so beautiful!

Dahlia Days

In between nursing the pup back to full health (she's almost there!), I've just been tending the shop and enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

The scorchingly hot days of July have finally given way to milder August days, accompanied by lovely, soft breezes that waft the smells of the ripening tomatoes and thriving basil plants in the back garden below through the open windows. I'm already dreaming of simple sun-ripened tomato salads, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with freshly-cut basil and oregano.

How do you spend the last month of summer? Any special plans?

Hang Your Heart Up

Today I came across this lovely little wooden ornament you put together yourself by Lovi, via Thoughtful Day.

It's been grey and rainy for the past three days, so this deep red heart definitely brightened my weekend!

Free Gift Tags!

No matter how old I get, there's always at least one present signed "From: Santa" under the Christmas tree.

In the spirit of this memory, I created these "From: Santa" gift tags featuring jolly vintage Kris Kringles. Simply right click and "Save As", then print as wallet-sized.

Enjoy!

(You may do whatever you wish with these tags, however, you may not redistribute them without crediting me and you may not sell them as is in any way, shape, or form.)