Holiday Gift DIY: Chan Luu Inspired Wrap Bracelets {guest post & giveaway!}

Today we have a guest post from a fellow SF native & Etsy shop owner, Shayan. She is going to teach us how to make a cute and wallet-friendly gift for your girlfriends! I have to say that as soon as I saw these, I made my shopping list for the craft store. I hope you do the same!

Hi Teaspooners!

I’m Shayan and I’m super giddy to be guest-posting on Caitlin’s blog! Something that I really appreciate about teaspoon is that it’s a really down to earth blog. I’ve found teaspoon to be refreshingly real, raw, and honest. It’s a blog I can really relate to, and I’m seriously honored that Caitlin is sharing her corner of the web with me for today! I suppose I should begin by explaining that I am the proud (albeit still fledgling) owner of the Etsy store, .Cohibas&Crown. I’m a pretty normal 26 year old; I live in San Francisco, I date, I work, I go on excursions around the bay area with my friends, chill with family, I shop…AH, here is my problem. I’m a girl with champagne taste on a beer budget. I’m sure I’m not the only one reading this blog who has this problem. I’m an architectural designer from 8am-6pm Monday through Friday and by every other waking moment I am a maker. I’m always making something (ANYTHING, usually affordable versions of expensive things I swoon for and covet) with my hands. Last week, it was earl grey creme bruleé, this week it was Great Gatsby inspired headbands, who knows what it will be next week. It was my desire for luxuries I couldn’t quite afford, and my love for making things that lead me to start .Cohibas&Crown. I figured, why not share these affordable luxuries with other girls who might be in the same boat as me? I focus on accessories, because I’ve found that even if you’re wearing boyfriend jeans and an oversized sweater, if you match it with the right accessories, suddenly you look like this fabulous shabby-chic/just-rolled-out-of-bed-looking-fabulous vogue cover model.

One of my favorite high end accessories these days are Chan Luu wrap bracelets. They sell for up to $250 on her website, and even on etsy they average about $50. I’m going to show you how to make one [or thirty] for under $10! They make beautiful gifts for any occasion, and seriously, everyone loves them. You can get really creative with each one and make a million varieties. You really can’t go wrong with these bad boys.

Once you make them, I’d love to see a picture of your lovely creation! Tag or send pics via::

Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/CohibasAndCrown

instagram: @cohibasandcrown

Twitter: @cohibasandcrown

Email: cohibasandcrown@gmail.com

Can’t wait to see your handiwork!

OK LETS GET STARTED! Materials you’ll need:

Medium-large sized seed beads (I used 4 mm) [$3]
Bead string – I used Bead Smith bead string no stretch nylon size 2 [$2] I usually use about 4x as much string as I do leather
Round leather cord – whatever size you think looks good with your beads [$3] I buy exactly the length of leather I need in the store. To get the right length: wrap the leather around your wrist the number of times you want your bracelet to wrap with the desired looseness/tightness of the bracelet. Add 6 extra inches (room for tying off at the end). now DOUBLE that entire length and just cut ONE BIG piece of leather. You don’t need 2 pieces of leather because you’ll be folding the leather in half.
Decorative button- I used a medium size button [$0.50]
Scissors

(You can use any color string/leather. Any leather thickness. Any color, size, or shape of bead! Get creative!)

*TIP* The lengths of leather and amount of beads you’ll need depend on how many wraps you want your bracelet to make around your wrist. This time, I decided to only do 2 wraps, but I also love the really full bracelets with 6 or 7 wraps.

I’ve created a video that walks you through the whole bracelet making process.

I’ve also written out the steps below with an illustration that I think will really help:

One thing to keep in mind is that these wrap bracelets are just a simple repetitive pattern. It takes a little getting used to, but you really do fall into a rhythm and it starts going really fast and smooth. You can do this with a bunch of your friends, in front of the tv, just chilling in your room listening to music or a book on tape, or even picnic style or outside if the weather permits! Have fun with it!

1) The first step is to fold your leather in half and tie a knot at the folded end to create a loop.

2) Then double knot the string to one of the leather bands at the base of the leather knot. Weave the string at the base of the knot in a 8 or infinity pattern between the two pieces of leather. Double knot the string to the other leather band.

3) String your first bead, keeping the bead sandwiched tightly between the two leather bands, make two loops with the string on the opposite leather band that you just tied the knot on.

4) String your second bead. make two loops with the string around the opposite leather band.

Repeat 3 & 4 until you reach the desired length of your bracelet.

*TIP* Every now and then I recommend rolling your fingers over the beads to make sure everything is in place and pulling the leather from both ends to make sure it’s all straight and aligned.

*TIP* If you run out of string half way, dont worry about it, just tie the end of your string to a new extension of string and keep going!

5) Once you’ve reached your desired length weave the string in figure 8s several times between the two pieces of leather. Tie the string off (I tie it a million times just to make sure it is secure) and cut the excess string.

6) Then string your decorative button on one of the leather bands. Tie the two leather bands together next to the button to secure it. I also like to make a knot at the end of each individual leather band. Cut off excess leather.

BOOM! YOU’RE A CHIC & STYLIN’ BABE!