Faux Turquoise

I am in love with big leather cuffs adorned with gem stones. They look so bohemian and the combo leather-stone feels so earthy. Of course, these are hard to find for little money so I needed to come up with a cheaper solution, something like this:

OK, I know it doesn't actually resemble a turquoise stone, but it still looks cool and considering how easy it is to make and quite cheap, I say it's a success.

Here are the secret ingredients:

1. cabochons, or you can use buttons or anything dome shaped; 2. faux leather; 3. nail polish: black, gold and crackle turquoise this one is very important because it's the one that will give the gem effect; 4. snap button; 5. snap pliers; 6. pencil; 7. scissors; 8. paper; 9. glue

I know there are many steps but they are very easy and I just used more photos to make myself clear.


So here we go:
1. create your cuff pattern on paper; be creative, choose any shapes you want as long as your cabochons fit in
2. create only half a pattern, than fold in the middle and cut, this way your bracelet will be symmetric
3. trace the pattern on the back side of your faux leather
4. cut the shape
5. make another one
6. trace the cabochons shapes on one of the leather pieces and then trace circles inside them 1mm smaller
7. cut the smaller circles out
8. apply black nail polish on your cabochons, let dry, than ad dabs of gold nail polish, let dry
9. apply turquoise crackle nail polish and let dry completly
10. seal everything with top coat
11. while the cabochons dry it is time to add other embellishments if you want; I added some studs, of course on the cutouts piece
12. glue the cabochons on the piece of leather that is not cut out
13. apply glue generously on the whole piece of leather
14. press the two sides together and hold a few minutes, until the glue dries
15. using the pliers, add a snap button
16. round the ends of the cuff

You did it! And it looks pretty awesome! Now fill your wrists with these cuffs in many more colors :)

Love,
L.