Cold connection is a unique metal technique that connects metal components without the use of heat. While you can connect metal pieces by glue or other adhesive, we will demonstrate some basic steps on how to use rivets with leather.

You will find many cold connection and riveting techniques in steampunk jewelry and metalworking. Once you have the basic tools and components for metal working and rivets, you will find how easy this versatile skill can be used for jewelry making.

Rivet Leather (Part One)

For this project, we are using TierraCast® Rivets to show how to rivet on leather. When riveting on leather, use a two-part compression rivet, which will have a bottom and cap piece. Two-part compression rivets are best for leather, as they will create a tighter hold if you are adding embellishments with the rivets.

Tools Needed for Leather Riveting:
Steel Hammer, Bench Block, Leather Hole Punch Pliers, and TierraCast® Rivet Setter.

Rivet Leather (Part Two)

Make leather loop for jump rings, clasps, or joining components together. Create this wrap-around leather watch by using these two part compression rivets. Cut two 12” 5mm flat leather. Make leather loops on all four ends. Attach your clasps and watch face for a fun wrap-around leather watch.

Leather Bracelet

• (1) TC02030 – Breathe Link
• (1) Z003952 – Brass Magnetic Clasp
• (7) CH00259 – 10mm Burnt Orange Flat Leather
• (1) TC01450 – 4mm Brass Rivet
• A015821 – Super New Glue

Wrap-Around Leather Watch

• (1) Z001647 – Gold Watch Face
• (4) TC01450 – 4mm Brass Rivet
• (1) A019947 – Antique Brass Magnetic Clasp
• (2) Z011513 – 5mm Brass Jump Ring
• (24) CH00043 – 5mm Tan/Black Flat Leather

The holiday season is here and it’s the time of reconnecting with loved ones and gift giving. Looking for a quick holiday gift? We have some inspirational easy leather DIY projects. Jump on the trend of fashionable leather bracelets or try out an alternative use of flat leather for an easy DIY key chain.

Winter White Splendor Leather Bracelet

Simplify gift-giving with a stunning bracelet using 2mm leather cord. Cut the 2mm round cord at 8 inches. Fold the cord in half and slide the TierraCast® barrel bead (TC01538) through the cord ends to create a loop. Glue the cord ends to a hooked curved clasp (A019043) and you are done! You may want to make a few of these because you’ll want to keep one for yourself.

Licorice Leather Bracelet

Licorice leather bracelets are the perfect statement jewelry. Cut the licorice leather to the preferred wrist length. Add a combination of beads and spacers to add color and use O-rings to keep beads and spacers in place. Lastly, glue your choice of licorice clasp.

Leather Key Chain

Think outside the box of bracelets and you have an alternative way to use flat leather. Make a leather key chain with 10mm flat leather and licorice beads, spacers, and O-rings.

1. Start out with 6 inches of 10mm flat leather.
2. Fold the leather in half with the key ring in the loop Glue your leather pieces together.
3. Slide on licorice spacers/beads and a 12mm rubber O-ring.
4. Cut your leather ends in a criss-cross angle.

These customizable leather key chains are great stocking stuffers, don’t you think?

Check out our other blog posts for more easy DIY leather projects:

Memory Wire Leather Wrap Bracelets

Watercolor Flat Leather Bracelets

5mm Flat Leather with Slider Charm Bracelets

Easy Leather Bracelets – Summer Style

Need more inspiration? Be inspired with GoodyBeads.com’s past monthly Trends We Love featuring leather. Here are a few leather trends we LOVE!

Clasp It: Unique Clasps Make Stunning Bracelets

2mm Round Leather: Easy Leather Bracelets are Great for the Holidays

Leather Wrap Bracelets: Get Wrapped Up In Stylish Leather and Cork Bracelets

Spell It Out: Make a Personalized Phrase Bracelet!

Statement Bracelets: Big and Bold Leather Bracelets

Wrap Suede & Chain Bracelets: Make Trendy Stackable Wrap Bracelets

Winter White Splendor Leather Bracelet

• (8”) A013406 – White Leather Cord
• (1) A019043 – Gold Plated Hook Curved Clasp
• (1) TC01538 – Gold Hammer Barrel Bead
• OR TC01752 – 4mm Gold Deco Barrel Bead by TierraCast

Licorice Leather Bracelet

• (7.5”) A015304 – Baby Blue Licorice Leather
• (2) Z001947 – 12mm Chocolate Brown Rubber O-Ring
• (2) Z001948 – 12mm Sage Green Rubber O-Ring
• (2) A015327 – Antique Brass Oval Spacer Bead
• (2) A015612 – Antique Brass Slice Spacer Bead
• (1) A015348 – Green/Brown Oval Ceramic Bead

Leather Key Chain

Black Version:

• (6”) CH00051 – 10mm Black Flat Leather
• (1) A016424 – 12mm White O-Rings
• (1) A018905 – C-Koop Steel Grey with Chamois Brown Enamel on Copper Slider
• (1) MCKR0002 – Key Ring
• A015821 – Super New Glue

Natural Cork Version:

• (6”) CH00547 – Natural with Gold Flecks Cork
• (1) Z001947 – 12mm Chocolate Brown Rubber O-Ring
• (1) Z003499 – Alphabet K Letter
• (1) Z003555 – Alphabet M Letter
• (1) MCKR0002 – Key Ring
• A015821 – Super New Glue

by Kristal Wick

We’ve got a brilliant Black Friday gift with purchase for all you beady peeps! Since the gift-giving season is upon us and you’re creating like magical elves, we’re here to help you out with loads of FAB holiday beads you can mix and match! Use them to design an all-in-one beautiful jewelry piece for yourself or make dozens of earrings for your gal pals. Just add a few ear wires, headpins, chain and you’re good to go. I made seven different projects out of this Black Friday Free Gift and still had leftover beads! So there’s plenty to go around. You can also find all the beads included in our Black Friday Free Gift on our website. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get going!

Snowman Earrings

Here are three easy designs in this DIY blog. They’re quick to make and highly addictive – once you start, it’s impossible to stop!

Snowman Earrings

(2) A012827 – Sterling Silver Filled French Wire Earrings

(2) A019688 – 2 Inch Silver Plated 20 Gauge Headpins with Ball Top

(2) A004285 – 12mm Clear Hand Painted Snowman Head Lampwork Beads

(2) A008069 – 4mm Red Miracle Bead

(2) A008067 – 4mm Green Miracle Bead

Steps

1. Slide your beads onto a headpin in the following order:

Red Miracle Bead

Snowman Bead

Green Miracle Bead

2. Make a simple loop at the top of your headpin.
3. Open the loop of the earwire. Slip the headpin dangle onto earwire loop and close loop.
4. Repeat for the other earring.

Snowman with Flowers Earrings

Who doesn’t like a darling snowman? Festive with a pair of jeans as well as with a fancy holiday party dress, these little guys are sure to bring many smiles this holiday season.

Snowman with Flowers Earrings

(2) A020541 – Sterling Silver Ear Wire with 4mm May Bi-Cone Crystal

(2) A019688 – 2 Inch Silver Plated 20 Gauge Headpins with Ball Top

(2) A004282 – 20mm Clear Hand Painted Snowman Lampwork Beads

(4) A008069 – 4mm Red Miracle Bead

Steps

1. Slide your beads onto a headpin in the following order:

Red Miracle Bead

Snowman Bead

Red Miracle Bead

2. Make a simple loop at the top of your headpin.
3. Open the loop of the earwire. Slip the headpin dangle onto earwire loop and close loop.
4. Repeat for the other earring.

Snowflake Bracelet

Blue snowflakes and a splash of silver says winter in the warmest way, don’t you think? Customize this bracelet for any age and style. Oh, be sure to make one for yourself, too!

Snowflake Bracelet

(1) A002734 – 8mm Rhodium Plated Fancy Chain Link

(1) A019633 – 3 Inch Silver Plated 20 Gauge Eyepins

(3) A012842 – 4mm Matte Silver Plated Jump Rings

(1) A005566 – 10mm Blue Hand Painted Snowflake Lampwork Beads

(4) A008065 – 4mm Silver/White Miracle Bead

(2) A002968 – 9mm Silver Plated Bali Style Round Beads

(1) A003578 – 8mm Silver Plated Simple Round Toggle Clasp

Steps

1. Cut two equal lengths of chain.
2. Slide your beads onto the eyepin in the following order:

Silver/White Miracle Bead

Silver Plated Bali Style Round Bead

Silver/White Miracle Bead

Snowflake Bead

Silver/White Miracle Bead

Silver Plated Bali Style Round Bead

Silver/White Miracle Bead

3. Make a simple loop at the top of your eyepin.
4. Open the eyepin loop, slip one chain link into the eyepin loop and close loop.
5. Repeat for the other side of the bracelet.
6. Add a toggle bar to one end of the chain using two jump rings.
7. Add the toggle to the other chain link using a jump ring.

by Kristal Wick

What’s better than family-and friend-filled holiday feasts? An embellished holiday feast! We bling up our jewelry, why not our dining utensils! Seriously, I think most DIY-ers are so busy making jewelry for gift-giving, they completely forget the forks and spoons! How cute is a red-and-green canape knife? Or a serving set for your salad or turkey with all the fixins. The best part is, you can remove the large hole interchangeable beads and use them in your jewelry the next day. Mix and match customized dinnerware in your fave colors and shapes for added entertaining elegance.

Salad Serving Set

Our salad serving set is ideal for serving salads, I’ve found embellished forks and spoons perfect for mashed potatoes and dressing as well!

The handles on each service piece unscrew so you can load up about 2.5 inches of beady deliciousness. Slide on the O-Rings to secure the beads from scooting around on the stem. Once you’re pleased with your line up, simply screw the ball onto the top of the stem and you’re ready to munch!

Canape Knife

Use these darling canape knives for all your hors d’œuvres, spreading butter, pate, jellies or jams. They look festive and are easy to clean once your guests depart. Keep a few favorite color schemes when entertaining other times of the year, such as birthdays and fourth of July picnics.

Salad Serving Set

(1) A003251 – Stainless Steel Salad Serving Set

Spoon

(2) A018030 – 6mm Rubber O-Ring for Bead Pens

(1) A006069 – 12mm Light Siam Czech Crystal Sterling Silver – Large Hole Bead

(2) A002833 – 10mm Beaded Large Hole Spacer – Rhodium Plated

(1) A004848 – 13mm Green with White Dots Large Metal Hole Glass Beads

(1) A012630 – 9mm Red Enamel Drum Large Hole Bead – Rhodium Plated

(2) A003864 – 11mm Emerald Rhinestone Large Hole Spacer Bead – Rhodium Plated

(1) A005438 – 13mm Red with White Pattern Rondelle Large Metal Hole Glass Beads

(1) A012631 – 9mm Lime Enamel Drum Large Hole Bead – Rhodium Plated

Fork

(2) A018030 – 6mm Rubber O-Ring for Bead Pens

(2) A002858 – 8mm Crystal Flower Square Large Hole Bead – Rhodium Plated

(2) A005951 – 9mm Garnet Rhinestones Large Hole Bead – Rhodium Plated

(2) A005437 – 13mm Green with Green Swirl Rondelle Large Metal Hole Glass Beads

(1) A004849 – 13mm Red with White Dots Large Metal Hole Glass Beads

Canape Knife

(1) A003252 – 5 Inch Canape Knife – Add a Bead

(1) A018030 – 6mm Rubber O-Ring for Bead Pens

(3) A013373 – 12mm Light Siam with Clear and Jet Dots Preciosa Crystal – Large Hole Bead

(2) A004892 – 12mm Emerald Green Foil Lined Large Hole Beads

by Kristal Wick

Nothing says celebrate like darling, dangling ear candy, am I right beady peeps? And since this is the time of year for pulling out all the stops on festivities, here are five new Merrily Bright Holiday Earring Kits for your DIY pleasure!

Frosty the Snowman and Penguin Santa Swarovski® Earring Kits

Everyone needs a little whimsy now and then, don’t you think? These little snowmen and penguins are just the ticket. Whether you’re gift giving to a youngster or a young-at-heart-ster, these are sure to bring a smile—not to mention they’re simple and quick!

Mini Snow Globe Swarovski® Earring KitNostalgic Nana on your nice list? These darling mini snow globe kits have the daintiest, detailed Santas just waiting to delight all ages (mostly yours). They’re very lightweight and wearable, perfect for the office.

Star Bright Swarovski® Earring Kits

Need a cup of classy cheer? Our Star Bright earring kits made with Swarovski® Artemis crystals are excellent for those holiday parties and events where you need a more elegant look. There’s nothing better than Swarovski® to deliver stylish chic. Make a red pair and a green pair, keep one earring of each and gift the other set to your BFF so you’ll have a matching “unmatched” set of earrings for the holidays. Remember our  Merrily Bright Holiday Earring Kits make great necklaces as well. Just add a chain,  leather or suede cord to your earring loop and you have an instant pair of matching necklaces! Or gift a kit to one of your “jewelry-making-wannabee” friends and guide her through the first kit. We’ve given you everything you need (you provide the tools) to ensure success and convert another pal to the wonderful world of jewelry-making!

by Kristal Wick
Customized purse charms and accessories have been on trend for many moons and for good reason! They’re darling reminders of what we carry near and dear to our hearts from kitties to cupcakes. Designs are all up to your own imagination and creativity.

Nylah Glass Tiles

Here at GoodyBeads, we love our kids and pets (they’re kind of the same thing to many of us) so we’ve come up with some super easy instructions for making your own personalized glass tile charms for purse charms, pendants and rings, with the cutest models Nylah, Sparkle and Bling (we realize we’re slightly biased but you have to admit, they are adorable)! Embellish a chain with Swarovski pearls, TierraCast® charms and other “Goodys” and you’ve created a masterpiece.

Bling and Sparkle Glass Tiles

Nylah is Carlee’s — our Graphics Designers’ – four-year-old daughter. Sparkle and Bling are my rescue pups who pose for treats any time — day or night! Whether you’re making these customized glass tiles for yourself, grandma or a BFF, let your creative juices flow when in design mode. They make great custom holiday and birthday gifts, wedding party jewelry and school picture memorabilia pieces – for just a few ideas.

Nylah, Sparkle and Bling Tiles

(1) A013854 – 35mm Large Circle Glass Tile (Nylah tile)

(1) A013863 – 35mm Large Square Glass Tile (Sparkle and Bling tile)

(1) A013850 – 23mm Small Square Glass Tile (Nylah tile and Bling ring)

(1) A013856 – 23mm Oval Dome Cabochon Glass Tile (Nylah ring tile)

(1) Z010105 – 20mm Adjustable Silver-Plated Flat Ring with Glue Pad (Nylah ring)

(1) A015180 – 12mm Adjustable Silver-Plated Ring with Glue Pad (Nylah ring)

(1) A013610 – 2 oz Diamond Glaze

(1) A011455 – E-6000

Paint Brush
Scissors
Sharpie Oil-Based Metallic Markers

Assorted images printed on an ink jet printer

Steps for a Custom Glass Tile

1. Size and print out your images on a laser printer (the ink from ink jet printers tends to run).
2. Cut out your image(s) to fit a specific glass tile, making sure the image is a tad smaller than the tile itself.
3. Using a soft paint brush, apply a light coat of Diamond Glaze to the back of a tile.
4. Carefully press the colored side of the image to the Diamond Glaze and press out any bubbles or air pockets.
5. When dry, color the edges of the tile with a metallic oil-based Sharpie maker (we used silver and gold in our samples). Let dry.

For a Pendant

6. Attach the pendant finding to the back of the pendant using E6000 and let dry.

For a Ring

6. Color the back of the tile with the Sharpie pen and let dry. Then attach to ring back using E6000 and let dry.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s time to get serious about our bling and what better way than to adorn with red and green Holiday Swarovski® Cha-Cha jewelry? Expandable bracelets and rings are perfect for every shape and size of gal pal, and who can resist some blingy baubles for your lovely lobes.

Holiday Swarovski® Cha-Cha Bracelet

Why red and green for the holidays? This tradition dates back thousands of years when folks used holly, ivy and mistletoe to beautify and brighten up their homes during the long dark winter. This was also a vital reminder that winter would NOT last forever and spring would definitely come blooming around the corner! The Romans exchanged evergreen branches in January and the Egyptians used palm branches to symbolize good luck. Red represented the color of fire and keeping warm. White symbolized peace and purity in the western cultures.

Items used in Bracelet: A005639, A019691 (2), SW00167 (33), SW00133 (33), SW00105 (33)

Directions:

1. Slide a bicone onto a headpin and make a simple loop. NOTE: Be sure the loop is large enough to freely swing from the bracelet loops.
2. Repeat Step #1 for all the bicones.
3. Open bicone dangle and hook it through a bracelet loop, close loop. Complete bottom row with the following pattern: clear bicone, red bicone, clear bicone, green bicone.
4. Complete top row using the same pattern and add another round of bicones around this row so you end up with two bicone dangles per bracelet loop.

Holiday Swarovski® Cha-Cha Earrings

When creating our DIY Holiday Cha-Cha projects, we suggest making all the bicone simple loop dangles first. Get comfy on the couch and watch your fave movie or TV series marathon while you’re cranking these babies out. Practice makes perfect in the world of simple loop making! So why not perfect your talents while you’re on a roll and make them all at once?

Whether you believe the deeper meaning of these colors or simply just like how they look, nothing feels quite as festive as sparkly Swarovski® crystal holiday jewelry for your parties, the office or gifts. Of course put yourself first on that gift list, and while you’re beading away remember: one for you, one for your BFF, mom, sister, etc. Well, you get the picture. Now, get going and happy beading!

Items used in earrings: A010233, A019691, SW00167 (14), SW00133 (14), SW00105 (14)

Directions:

1. Slide a bicone onto a headpin and make a simple loop. NOTE: Be sure the loop is large enough to freely swing from the earring loops.
2. Repeat Step #1 for all the bicones.
3. Open bicone dangle and hook it through an earring loop, close loop. Add three bicone dangles per earring loop (one of each color).
4. Repeat Step #3 until all earrings loops have three dangles.

By Kristal Wick

We love everything about a good tassel here at Goodybeads. You can create the simplest of jewelry designs, add a tassel and violà you’ve got instant glam! Traditionally, tassels were popular for embellishing home goods (Aunt Gertrude’s curtains, pillows, lampshades and even chandeliers), but they’ve “trended” their way into our jewelry and DIY projects — thank goodness! “Tassel” originated from “tassau”, a Latin term referring to a clasp at the neck of a garment that was originally worn by military officers and priests as talismans to ward off evil spirits. Also known as “passementerie” in France, “passamanaria” in Italy and “aziamentos” in Spain, the simple tassel can be traced back to the ancient tombs of the pharaohs in Egypt.

The Chinese incorporated tassels into their woven silks. But it was those trendsetting French folks that turned tassels into some serious ornamentation. In the 16th century, the first Guild of the Passementiers was founded and passementiers had to complete a seven year apprenticeship in order to become a Master in one of the many guilds. Each tassel was made from highly valued materials like silk or metallic gold-and-silver threads, so they became a symbol of wealth, power and prestige. With at least 300 threads per tassel, it is no wonder that the passementiers took such great pride in their work (and you thought seed beading took a lot of time to perfect)!

Tassel Earrings

You can actually make your own tassel (perhaps not quite as elaborate as the passementiers’ version) or you can use ready-to-wear tassels such as these in our earring and bracelet projects. They come in some very popular colors so you can customize to your liking. Earrings can also become dangle purse charms, or make a necklace using a single tassel. Here’s the #411 on how to make these terrific tassel beauties:

Tassel Earrings

(2) Z007553 – 8cm Small Black Suede Leather Tassel

(2) A016387 – 2 Inch Hematite Enameled Copper 20 Gauge Eyepins

(2) TC01903 – Silver Filled French Hoop Wire Earrings by Tierracast

(4) TC00030 – 4mm Antique Silver Quad Heishi Spacer by TierraCast

(4) TC00252 – 5mm Antique Silver Beaded Cap by TierraCast

(1) GS00530 – 8mm Apple Jasper Faceted Rondelle Gemstone Beads from Dakota Stones

Tool: A013734 – EUROnomic 2K German Side Cutter

Tool: A013728 – Classic Wubbers Round Nose Pliers

Tool: A013727 – Classic Wubbers Chain Nose Pliers

Steps

1. Open eye pin and insert tassel. Close eye pin.
2. String onto eyepin: bead cap, rondelle, spacer, rondelle, spacer, rondelle, bead cap and create a small loop at the top of the eye pin.
3. Open earwire loop and add eye pin. Close loop and trim tassel to desired length.
4. Repeat for the other earring.
5. Trim tassels to your liking.

Tassel Bracelet

Tassel Bracelet

(2) Z007553 – 8cm Small Black Suede Leather Tassel

(2) A021663 –  Small Bead Stoppers

(1) FTBW0002 – Soft Flex MEDIUM Gauge 0.019 Inch Diameter Beading Wire

(1) A012857 – 2mm Crimp Tube Assortment Pack

(2) TC01899 – 3mm Silver Crimp Cover by TierraCast

(1) TC00439 – 17mm Silver Oval Pewter Toggle Clasp by Tierracast

(3) Z011515 – 5mm Silver Plated Round Jump Rings

(1) GS00537 – 8mm Black Silver Leaf Jasper Gemstone Faceted Rondelle Beads from Dakota Stones (20)

(40) TC00030 – 4mm Antique Silver Quad Heishi Spacer by TierraCast

(22) TC01132 – 4mm Black Kenyan Heishi Spacer by TierraCast

Tool: A013734 – EUROnomic 2K German Side Cutter

Tool: A013728– Classic Wubbers Round Nose Pliers

Tool: A013727– Classic Wubbers Chain Nose Pliers

Tool: FTTL0003– Crimping Pliers

Steps

1. Open jump ring, insert tassel and close jumpring.
2. Cut a piece of beading wire 12 inches long, add a beadstopper to one end.
3. String on silver spacer, black spacer, silver spacer, rondelle.
4. Repeat Step #3 nine more times.
5. Add black spacer, tassel jumpring, black spacer, rondelle and repeat Step #3 ten more times.
6. Slide a crimp tube into the wire, add the toggle and pass the wire back through the crimp tube.
7. Place the crimp tube into the crimping pliers’ notch closest to the handle and squeeze the pliers until you feel the crimp tube squish into a little taco shape.
8. Place the crimp in the first notch of the pliers so the taco is standing up.
9. Squeeze the pliers until the crimp is fully squished. Give the wire a gentle tug to make sure the wire is secured.
10. Trim the wire using your wire cutter so the wire is flush with the crimp tube.
11. Add a crimp cover over the crimp end and place in the 1^st notch of the crimping pliers. Gently squeeze until the crimp tube is completely surrounding the crimp forming a round bead shape.
12. Repeat crimping the other bracelet end attaching the toggle bar using two jumprings.
13. Repeat Step #11 on the other bracelet end.
14. Trim tassel to your liking.