Making Beaded Leather Keyrings

This is a simple project that is awesome for learning fringe cutting.

I use a small very very sharp pair of scissors...because cutting fringe is not as simple as is appears it would be. Leather does not cut the same as fabric so what I have found over the years is that a good pair of scissors, no longer than 2.5 inch jaws, makes it easier to control the cut.

I am not actually making these right now, but have some photos from a while back to show how.

First I cut rectangles, and small strips to fold over to make the loops.

Next mark a faint line on the leather for the height of the fringe...and cut...

Then tacking the loop down (folded in half) with 527 glue or e-6000, and wrap/roll the fringed leather around the loop strip.

Last, whip stitch the seam, bead and add a ring. I do either peyote or gourd stitch on these...

They can be made as long or thick as one wants to make them, so there is no real size of rectangle to start with. It is good to try a few different sizes to find the ones that work best for your beading.

So that is it, just wanted to share...it is a fun project, and really good for teaching kids to bead...