Holiday prep is officially under way over here! This year again I’m keeping Christmas decor simple like last year and I will be reusing some of the things I made then but I’ll also be making some new holiday crafts. This year I was inspired by leather, namely natural leather. I couldn’t find the pale kind I was after but I found this leather cord in a tan version which I liked.
The great thing about this leather cord is that it’s got a hollow core which allows you to insert wire into it. Here I used thin metal wire and was able to insert it quite a way into the cord. The green thicker wire in the top photo I used as a lock. I’ll show you what that looks like further down.
Here’s one piece of the leather cord with the thin wire inserted all the way through. It allowed me to twist it and for it to keep its shape.
And here’s what that looks like as a finished ornament. I got the end caps in the jewelry section at the local craft store (similar to these but without the hole).
To lock this little circle I drilled a larger hole into a wooden bead and simply inserted the ends. Easy peasy.
Here I used a short piece of green thicker wire as a lock for the larger ring by inserting one end (using pliers because it was a bit if a tight squeeze) into one end and then the other end of the cord forming it into a circle. The smaller ring I just did like the one above but hooking it on the the larger one before adding the bead.
Love how these turned out! I still have a bit left of the leather cord and it’ll probably make its appearance elsewhere in my holiday décor too. It’s early days yet!
Hi there! Love the natural look. So cool. I'm assuming you will be making quite a few more no? BTW, I don't recall you using a tree topper last year. Is that not used in Sweden?
Posted by: Sandy (USA) | November 12, 2013 at 04:16 AM
Sandy - I will probably make some more of the same but will mix them with other things in my tree too. I have some paper crafts I want to try out. As for the tree topper it's usually a star over here but I haven't got a nice one so I just skipped it. I have had paper stars in the past so maybe I'll make one again this year. It also depends on what the tree itself looks like , I thing, If there's a need for a topper.
Posted by: Carlos | November 12, 2013 at 05:12 AM
That's so pretty! You're such an inspiration!
Posted by: Paula | November 12, 2013 at 05:24 AM
These don't feel very Christmassy to me, but I like them still. I have not seen this type of crafts done anywhere before, really cool.
Posted by: Leena | November 12, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Love the simplicity and the brown with the green! What a great idea!
Posted by: Michelle | November 12, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Hey Benita, I was wondering if Wille had found a job yet. If not, he should try at hotel Rival. My fiance's cousin worked as a bartender there, he's in Oslo for a few months working now. He should try there, I think Benny Andersson owns the place :)
Posted by: wienerdoglove | November 13, 2013 at 03:49 AM
Wienerdoglove - He hasn't but he's got a couple of leads this week so fingers crossed! I think he's been at Rival, but I'll ask and if not make sure he goes there. I know it's on his list.
Posted by: Carlos | November 13, 2013 at 03:57 AM
If he does go there, he can tell them "Thomas" sent him ;)
Posted by: wienerdoglove | November 13, 2013 at 04:00 AM
Will do! Thanks!
Posted by: Carlos | November 13, 2013 at 04:02 AM
Beautiful!! Love your simple but inspirational ideas!
However, the link to the leather cord is for resellers only :-(
Did you get an account as a 'designer'? Any ideas where else to get this nice quality cord product from if you are not in the trade? Thanks, Bobbie
Posted by: Bobbie Stubbs | November 13, 2013 at 06:04 AM
Bobbie - You need to create an account but there's no need to be a designer for that. After you've created the account you can see prices etc.
Posted by: Carlos | November 13, 2013 at 06:12 AM
Love love love it!!!!!!
Posted by: Lizzy | November 13, 2013 at 08:30 AM
The most wonderful Christmas decoration. toally love them - thank you
Posted by: unikarina | November 16, 2013 at 11:27 AM
These are very cool. I think they would make beautiful bracelets, too! At first I thought the end caps were "male and female" to snap together. Now that really would be useful, esp for jewelry.
Posted by: Jules Means | November 18, 2013 at 01:11 PM