Last night we enjoyed a Nina Designs Bead Night, when we all stay after work, experiment with new silver jewelry parts and create together! I look forward to these evenings when we share ideas, inspiration and beading techniques with each other while socializing with fellow employees who are fortunately also friends. This was the perfect time to see if I could make a version of a sinuous leather bracelet design that I’ve admired for several months.

A silver button is the clasp on this deer hide lace bracelet.

After stringing one of our new silver buttons onto our deer hide lace, I tied my yellow thread to the leather and began stringing. Over an hour later, I had a bracelet about a half an inch long! I had a fit of giggles when I compared my progress to the rest of the group. Emily had oxidized her components, and wire wrapped gorgeous pearls to complete a stunning necklace. Marcy had stitched two strands of olive green beads to leather and only needed to add her vintage button clasp. Marisa’s necklace was crimped off and complete, and Carly had a great design going incorporating old keys and our new Gear Charms.

Fortunately, Juanita saved me by recalling a conversation she had at Tucson with one of our customers about exactly how to make this style of bracelet. It turns out the best technique is to use two needles, one on either end of a long piece of thread. The two needles are used to go through the same bead from either end. It also helps to anchor the leather cords so there is tension when they’re pulled forward. After starting over and adjusting my technique, I got into a rhythm (it felt similar to making a snake braid). I finished the bracelet in two hours. Now that I have my technique, I’m looking forward to making additional bracelets with different color combinations and perhaps with silk cord instead of leather.

What new beading skills have you recently acquired? Do you have any time saving tips to share?