wrist cuff - easy craft

One of the easiest ways to stay current with your wardrobe is through accessories.  And the best part is you can really show your personal style by crafting simple jewelry.  My public look tends toward conservative tailored, but my heart leans toward steampunk-goth-heavy metal.  Must be my husband's influence :-). 

A great find at Goodwill (which is a good time to throw in, don't forget to look in the 'craft' section at your favorite thrift store) was a bag of leather pieces for $4.00.  I got six large pieces, one black, two shades of brown, red and burgundy.  I will use these for lots of different embellishments and accessories.  Here is the first thing I've made, a cuff bracelet.  I found inspiration online, but altered the design and final product to my style.  I used a piece of leather embossed with ostrich.  First I traced the pattern on the reverse side of the leather and cut it out.  I put black velcro to secure it on the reverse of the smaller end and the right side of the wider end.  I used a scrapbook flower pattern for the leather flower addition, again, drawing the pattern on the reverse of the leather before cutting it out.  It looks great on!  The next one I plan to make will be an industrial look with black leather and silver washers.  Sky's the limit on the look you can create.  This one-of-a-kind leather accessory cost about 50 cents to make.