Sami BraceletSAAMI CRAFTS

Sami Reindeer Bracelets

One of the traditional Saami duodji crafts is leathermaking. I thought I would give it a try. I started with something simple by purchasing a Sami bracelet kit from a Sami supplier in Sweden TNKReativt.

Reindeer Bracelet Kit
Reindeer Bracelet Kit

The bracelet kit includes a piece of reindeer leather, tin thread, artificial sinew, clear nylon thread, sewing thread, a sewing needle, a leather needle and a reindeer antler button.

Sami Bracelet Kit
Sami Bracelet Kit

Weave the Braid
The kit includes enough tin thread to make a six strand braid.
Cut the tin thread into 3 equal lengths and fold these in half to create 6 strands.
I use a foam felting mat to work on.
Pin the folded end of the tin thread onto the foam mat.
Separate the 6 strands into 3 strands of 2 threads each.
Work a 3 strand braid along the length of the thread.
I pin the braid onto the foam about every inch or so, to hold it in place as I am braiding.

Pewter Braid
Pewter Braid

When you have finished braiding, secure the ends by tying a short piece of sinew around the ends. The sinew that is supplied is a short length, but this can be separated into several strands. Use a small strand to tie the tin braid.

Pewter Reindeer Bracelet
Pewter Reindeer Bracelet

Hand Stitch Braid to Leather Strip

To adjust the bracelet to the correct size, measure around your wrist. Add 1 cm to this measurement. Cut the length of reindeer leather to this size.

Reindeer Bracelet 1
Reindeer Bracelet 1

On the back side of the leather strip, measure and mark a cutting line 1.5 cm from the end of both ends.

ReindeerBracelet 2
ReindeerBracelet 2

Fold the leather strip in half and carefully cut a small slit into the leather, the width of the woven tin braiding.

Reindeer Bracelet3
Reindeer Bracelet3

Place the woven braid on the right side of the leather strip and slip the ends of the braid into the slits that you have cut.

Reindeer Bracelet 4
Reindeer Bracelet 4

Using the regular sewing needle that came with the kit and the nylon thread, stitch the braid onto the leather strip.
(The instructions that came with the kit, suggest using glue to attach the braid to the leather, but I do not recommend this) Hand stitching will make a better bracelet.

Reindeer Bracelet Back
Reindeer Bracelet Back

Attach Braided Loop to Leather Bracelet

The bracelet kit includes a short piece of leather strip and some imitation sinew. Split the sinew into a narrower thread and twist the sinew around the leather strip. The sinew will give the leather a bit of extra strength in the loop.

Thread the leather strip and sinew through the loop at the end of the tin braid. Then twist the leather strip and sinew together tightly and ply them together to make a spun thread. Tie the ends with the remaining sinew.

Thread the leather sewing needle with the end of the sinew and stitch the 2 ends of the leather braid together forming a loop. Sew this securely.

Reindeer Bracelet Loop
Reindeer Bracelet Loop
Reindeer Bracelet Loop2
Reindeer Bracelet Loop2
Reindeer Bracelet Loop3
Reindeer Bracelet Loop3

Trim the cut ends of the tin braid to 1 cm. Sew these end together with a bit of sinew.

Reindeer Bracelet Back End
Reindeer Bracelet Back End

Finishing
Using the leather needle, thread it with the polyester thread that came with the kit.
At the back of the bracelet, fold the ends of the leather together and neatly stitch them together.

Sami Bracelet Stitching
Sami Bracelet Stitching
Pewter Reindeer Bracelet2
Pewter Reindeer Bracelet

Sew the reindeeer antler button to the other end of the bracelet.

Sami Reindeer Leather Bracelet Kits
Sami Bracelet Kits can now be purchased at Paivatar Yarns

Sami Reindeer Leather Bracelet Kits - Alder
Sami Reindeer Leather Bracelet Kits – Alder

More Saami Crafts
How to weave with a Beaivi double hole heddle.
How to Make a Tin Embroidery Key Chain
Saami Art of Tin Thread Spinning

Saami Beaivi Loom Weaving Workshops

Beginner Saami Pickup Band Weaving Learn the basics of how to weave pickup using a Beaivi double hole rigid heddle loom.
Warp a Beaivi Loom Workshop Learn how to warp a Beaivi loom and how to weave pickup patterns.

Saami Reindeer Leather Purse

Saami Reindeer Leather Purse
Saami Reindeer Leather Purse

Look for my handmade Saami reindeer leather pouches and bags in my PaivatarYarn shop on Etsy.
ITUNES – Saami Music
Binna Banna – Kikki Aikio
Áphi (Wide As Oceans) – Sofia Jannok
Ulda – Ulla Pirttijärvi & Ulda
The Kautokeino Rebellion (Music from the Movie) – Herman Rundberg, Mari Boine & Svein Schultz
Beaivi, Áhcázan (The Sun, My Father) – Nils-Aslak Valkeapää

Band Loom Weaving Books
Tape Loom Weaving… Simplified
Handwoven Tape: Understanding and Weaving Early American and Contemporary Tape
Norwegian Pick-Up Bandweaving
The Weaver’s Inkle Pattern Directory: 400 Warp-Faced Weaves
Band Weaving
Band. Vävda Band, Brickband, Flätade Band Och Pinnband Av Ull, Lin Och Bomull / Weaving Bands: Woven Bands / Table Bands / Plaited Bands / Insertion Bands
Väva I Bandgrind

AMAZON – Saami Books

The Sámi People: Traditions in Transitions
The Sami Peoples of the North: A Social and Cultural History
Lapps and Labyrinths: Saami Prehistory, Colonization, and Cultural Resilience
Badin and the Secret of the Saami
Saami and the White Wolf
Talk Now! Learn Saami (Northern) (2015)
>Saami Inspired Bracelet Basics: How to make a Saami inspired pewter thread bracelet.

EBAY Band Weaving
BAND WEAVING – US
BAND WEAVING – UK

AFFILIATE LINKS
As an Affiliate (Influencer)
I earn income (pennies) from qualifying purchases.
Thank you for your support.

SHOPPING: EBay.com
EBay Used Weaving Looms
EBay Used Spinning Wheels
EBay Wool Roving
EBay Nalbinding
EBay Natural Plant Dyes
EBay Crochet Thread
EBay Knitting Yarns


LOVECRAFTS KNITTING PATTERNS

Christmas Gnome Pattern

LONGTHREAD MEDIA VIDEO

Krokbragd on Inkle Loom

LONGTHREAD MEDIA SUBSCRIPTIONS

HANDWOVEN MAGAZINE
PIECEWORK MAGAZINE
SPINOFF MAGAZINE
LEARN LONGTHREAD MEDIA

PAIVATAR HANDMADE

Paivatar Handmade

Paivatar on YouTube
Visit my YouTube channel for how-to craft videos.

Or Please visit my Channel on Rumble for more how-to videos.
https://rumble.com/Paivatar

LIVE STREAMS - Paivatar Studio
KICK
TWITCH MAKERS&CRAFTING
YOUTUBE