How to make a leather and recycled plastic Steampunk style cuff

 Today's latest creation is another in my recycled leather cuff series. I didn't realize it was going to be a series but here is the third one I've made. Go figure. OK so here is how I did this one.

 I scored a party platter at...wait for it...a party of all places. A huge piece of smooth black plastic perfect for die cutting. I trimmed off the groove part around the edge and sent it through the Sizzix die cutter using the Tim Holtz Alterations Gadget Gears Die.







I should also back up a bit and say the inspiration for this whole project came from flipping though the book Hot Connections Jewelry:The Complete Sourcebook of Soldering Techniques and seeing this cool gear necklace but since I'm on a cuff kick that's what I was going to make.


Once the plastic was cut I thought it looked a bit shiny so scuffed it up with a piece of sandpaper.

 Then I sewed the gear on with a JHB Steampunk gear button on the topside of the leather (after cutting a tiny hole for the shank to go through) and a flat button on the back so the shank button wouldn't wobble around too much.
I thin stitched a pair of "D" rings I had cut off an old pair of sneakers to secure the sides of the gear and have them wrap around my wrist.

The cuff's closure is just a bit of Velcro i sewed onto each end.

If you like to make (or be inspired by) modern style jewelry I bet you will love:

Hot Connections Jewelry:The Complete Sourcebook of Soldering Techniques
by
Jennifer Chin

More about the book from the publisher Potter Craft:

"The art of soldering—permanently joining metal components with a torch and solder—can open up a new world of creative possibilities for jewelry makers.

In Hot Connections Jewelry, award-winning jewelry designer Jennifer Chin guides you through every step, from choosing a torch to basic techniques like sawing, filing, and riveting, as well as more advanced techniques like creating surface textures, setting stones, and using inlay.

With 23 in-depth lessons and 15 stunning projects, as well as inspiring examples from contributing artists, Hot Connections Jewelry is your essential guide to unleashing your creativity and confidence in jewelry making."