Sometimes, it's the simplest things.

[Beehive]

Here's a keyring dohicky I recently made.  Needed something to help me from losing my keys.

I don't get it. It's just a braided latigo strap from Tractor Supply Company. It sure does catch people's eyes. I get lots of compliments. This was a 15min project. End nippers and a ring.

 

 

 

 

 

[Johanna]

I have a fob for the car I drive, but this ring of keys lives in my purse. When it was smaller and had my car key I let the braided tail hang out of my pocket to grab it quickly. People noticed it all the time and wanted one, too. Now it’s a 35 year old piece of braided goatskin hidden next to my tissues and epi pen. 🤣 The little things do make a difference. 

[Beehive]

Here's some red Horween. Didn't want to waste a dollar coin. This is going on the household Bic lighter I use to light the lanterns on the patio. 

 

 

[SUP]

@Beehive I have never done braiding although I always mean to. On your keyring dohicky, the symmetry appeals to my OCD brain. What type of braiding is that?

[Beehive]

9 minutes ago, SUP said:

@Beehive I have never done braiding although I always mean to. On your keyring dohicky, the symmetry appeals to my OCD brain. What type of braiding is that?

 

I don't know the name. It's basically cutting slots in a strap and braiding the rear strap through the front. I used 3/4" wide end nippers from harbor freight to cut the slots. 10" end nippers (?). This is Horween cavalier in 4.5/5oz cut at 3/4", using a regular old strap cutter. Works pretty good on chrome. At least on 5 ounce Horween. 

On the dollar coin. That's James Madison. 

 

 

Edited March 8 by Beehive

[Beehive]

It's final destination.  Gotta have some art in your life. 

Even if it's the simple things. 

 

 

 

 

 

[SUP]

7 minutes ago, Beehive said:

Gotta have some art in your life.

Very true. No reason why even the simplest things cannot be artistic and pleasing. It adds color and pleasure to life.

I'm going to try and make that. Thank you for explaining how you made it.

Edited March 8 by SUP

[bruce johnson]

3 hours ago, SUP said:

@Beehive I have never done braiding although I always mean to. On your keyring dohicky, the symmetry appeals to my OCD brain. What type of braiding is that?

The braid is called a bleed knot

[Beehive]

15 minutes ago, bruce johnson said:

The braid is called a bleed knot

 

Thank You. I can see that as a proper name for it.

 

Blood knot.

[bruce johnson]

This is a quick and dirty demo I did for bleeding ties on zipper tabs. Normally I would saddle soap and slick the leather first.  I tap the braid after finished to set and flatten it a bit. Did a lot of these ties on zippers for motorcycle jackets and pockets on jackets. Easy to grab with gloves and the ties don’t turn on the tabs. I did them after that on most everything with a zipper to dress them up. Sometimes matching, sometimes contrasting