Painted Leather Shoelace Accessories

With this tutorial you can make bohemian-inspired accessories using ordinary leather shoelaces just like the headband Boo wore in the second week of Project Run and Play:

Shopping list:

  • Angelus Leather Paint
  • Angelus Duller (if you want more of a matte finish to the paint)
  • Leather "latigo" laces (1/8" wide)
  • Sueded laces (these come in a variety of colors....mine was turquoise)
  • 3mm beads (I used 3mm silver plastic pearl beads)
  • Ribbon clamps
  • Soft leather trim (you can purchase this at a craft store or upcycle from an old purse or jacket)
  • Waxed cotton cord (these come in a variety of colors....mine was lime)

Let's get started!

Project inspiration

In this tutorial, I make a shorter version of the headband resulting in a bracelet. You could also make a belt, keychain...so many options just by varying the length of the braid.

Finished project 1

Here's what I used to make mine...most supplies can be found at your local craft store in the jewelry section and the leather paints are available through Dharma Trading:

  • Angelus Leather Paints
  • Optional: Angelus Duller (if you want more of a matte finish to the paint)
  • I used these colors

  • Leather "latigo" laces (1/8" wide)
  • Sueded laces (these come in a variety of colors....mine was turquoise)
  • 3mm beads (I used 3mm silver plastic pearl beads)
  • Ribbon clamps
  • Soft leather trim (you can purchase this at a craft store or upcycle from an old purse or jacket)
  • Waxed cotton cord (these come in a variety of colors....mine was lime)
  • And this stuff

    Step 1: Paint the leather laces using the Angelus leather paint.

    Note: I used a light coat so that some of the original leather color showed through to give it a distressed look.

    A light coat of paint got the look I was going for

    Paint both pieces and allow to dry for about 15 minutes.

    Do both pieces and allow for dry time

    Step 2: Cut two long pieces of waxed cord and sandwich them together between the 2 leather pieces and apply your ribbon clamp:

    Clamp waxed cord in between your painted pieces

    Step 3: Draw out a few flowers onto the soft leather trim piece.....

    Trace out some designs you want to use

    .....and cut them out using detail scissors:

    Start cuttin'!

    Step 4: Punch a small hole into the center of each leather flower (you can also punch a hole through using a small nail and a hammer):

    ...and punchin'!

    Step 5: Take one piece of the waxed cord and place it through one of the flowers. Follow the flower with a bead.......

    Waxed cord and beads for easy attachment

    ....and then thread the cord back through the hole in the flower. Work the cord through the bead and flower until it is flush with the top of the clamp. The bead will keep the flower in place:

    Pull back to the clamp

    Step 6: (Note....this might get a little confusing but once you see all the photos it will start to make sense.) With the flower in place, follow the flower with 2 more beads. Take the 2nd piece of waxed cord and wrap it around the back left of the 2 leather pieces.

    Lace the waxed cord around

    The 2nd cord piece will go under the 1st cord piece with a single bead settling on either side as shown. The 2nd cord piece then wraps around to the back again and to the other side where it began, going under the 1st cord piece:

    Add beads to hold the cord wrap

    Step 7: You will repeat Step 6 over and over again and the top will look like this:

    Keep working it around adding beads

    The back will begin to look like this:

    This is the other side

    Step 8: Whenever you want to add a leather flower just add it onto the 1st cord piece instead of the 2 beads, follow the flower with one bead......

    Weave in flowers as you go

    .....and then thread the cord back through the same hole like the first one you did. Continue the beading and braiding as in Step 6.

    Looking good so far!

    Step 9: Once your braid is as long as you want it, tie off the cord....

    Determine how long you want your project to be

    ....and add a ribbon clamp to the end making sure to secure both pieces of leather and the 2 pieces of cord:

    and clamp the end

    Step 10: Tie a piece of suede lace to each ribbon clamp:

    You can use more waxed cord or a suede lace...

    You can also decorate the suede lace with a bead if you don't want to tie it directly to the clamp:

    ...to make a decorative fastener for your bracelet

    A finished braided leather bracelet....made from latigo laces!

    Tie it how you like it!

    Wreath and Bracelet finished


    Customer Comments
    Image of a notebook and pencil
     

    If you'd rather speak with a human, please call toll-free from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada M-F 8am to 5pm PST

    Phone: (800) 542-5227

    Your item has been added to your shopping cart   Item Added to Cart
    Your item has not been added to your shopping cart   Item Not Added

    About Tiered Discount Levels

    You can combine cotton and rayon clothing & accessories to get the greatest discounts. Your discount is figured on the total number of cotton and rayon items we ship, not how many of each type, style or size. Mix and match them to get the best discount.

    Example: adding 4 each of 3 different T-shirts in any sizes will give you the 12+ price on all 12 shirts.

    Visual aid for discount details

    Visual aid for how discounts will look in cart

    Some products may be excluded from discounts, and / or may discount only with themselves. If you have any questions at all please contact us toll free at 800-542-5227 (no buttons, just humans).

    Drag and Drop chips to the Palette first.

    ssl test img