13. Braided Rawhide & Turquoise Cabinet Hardware
Introduction
Custom cabinet handles and drawer pulls hand-crafted from heavy latigo or rawhide strips braided over metal cores, accented with raw polished turquoise nugget rondelles and hammered copper rivets.
What This Idea Means
Standard store-bought cabinetry hardware often lacks organic character. Hand-braided leather pulls infuse tactile warmth into kitchens, bathrooms, and restored credenzas, aging beautifully with daily touch.
Needs & Materials
- 1/2-inch wide strips of 5 oz latigo leather or cured rawhide lace
- Solid copper flathead saddlery rivets and burrs (#9 size)
- Polished natural turquoise stone nuggets (pre-drilled center holes)
- Leather hole punch
- Ball-peen hammer and rivet setter
- Cabinet mounting machine screws
How to Make It
- Cut latigo leather strips into uniform 6-inch lengths.
- Punch clean 3/16-inch holes at both terminal ends of each leather strap using a rotary punch.
- Braid three narrow rawhide strands down the center spine of the strap for textured grip, securing the ends through small slits.
- Thread a flat copper rivet through the leather, slip a polished turquoise nugget over the shank, then pass it through the matching strap end to form a soft looping handle.
- Place the copper burr over the rivet post, drive it down tight with a rivet setter, clip the excess shank to 1/16-inch, and round over the copper head with a ball-peen hammer.
- Fasten the completed handles into cabinet drawer faces using rear-fastening machine screws.
Tips & Variations
- Tip: Soak rawhide in warm water for 20 minutes before braiding; as it dries, it shrinks slightly and locks the structure rock-solid.
- Variation: Use simple folded English bridle leather loops without stone accents for a cleaner, modern-rustic profile.