Craftside: How to make a Steampunk style cuff inspired by the book Steampunk Style Jewelry

How to make a Steampunk style cuff inspired by the book Steampunk Style Jewelry

You know when you buy bits of this and that and you don't know what you're going to make with it but you know you just have to have it? Such is the case with this cool little vintage style gun embossed metal finding. So off to the book Steampunk Style Jewelry for some inspiration because I just wanted to wear it somehow!

I loved the combo of the hardware and lace in the Minerva's cuff project by Annie Singer featured in Steampunk Style Jewelry.

I wasn't using the same elements at all but the inspiration was there.

Making these types of recycled leather cuffs is really easy!

The first thing I needed to do was bend the flat metal finding into a curve. I went out to the tool box and had a look around. I picked up my rubber mallet and used the handle of my 3 pound sledge hammer as a mandrill. I simply kept hammering it a bit then trying it on my wrist till it fit.

Then I cut a piece of scrap leather to fit on my wrist with the width of the Velcro as the amount of the overlap.

I wanted to incorporate another detail, so off to the trim stash! I found this part-lace, part-hook trim that I thought looked pretty cool. I stitched all the trim and Velcro on using the sewing machine with a leather needle. Then I hand-stitched the metal finding on.

The last bit I added was the two studs. One of the prongs of the stud went through the hole of the metal finding and the other three just went through the leather cuff. This hid the hand stitches.

Well there you have it. Whether you are into just being inspired by a book or full-on tutorials, you get both in this CPi book:

Steampunk Style Jewelry
Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings
By
Jean Campbell

This how-to jewelry-making book features the work of an array of invited jewelry designers influenced by the growing Steampunk trend. In Steampunk Style Jewelry, the projects focus on "no fire" techniques—like simple stringing, wirework, hammering, stamping, gluing, stitching, and off-loom beadwork—so that even a beginner can create pieces in the style. Each project provides a complete materials and tools list, step-by-step instructions, and clear illustrations.

Jean Campbell was the founding editor of Interweave’s Beadwork magazine and has written and edited more than 40 books. She has appeared on the DIY Jewelry Making show, The Shay Pendray Show, and PBS' Beads, Baubles, and Jewels. She also teaches beading workshops throughout the United States. Swarovski has named Jean as one of their Certified Brand Ambassadors for the line of crystal beads and stones for beadworkers and crafters.