DIY Holiday Leather Projects

Handmade leather labels and other simple leather projects

Handmade Holiday crafts using scrap leather

What I love most about the Holidays is my renewed sense of craftiness. Every year I try and create unique handmade gifts. This past few years have had me strapped to my computer a little more than I’d like to admit, and I didn’t have a lot of time to make things. Running a photography business during the Holiday season is insane. (The good kind of insane of course!) When racking my brain this year on what I can do that is both simple and unique, my idea basically fell into my lap. While cleaning out my craft room, some scrap leather fell out of a box. My initial thought was “what the heck am I going to do with this leather?”…

After finding this hidden treasure, I went on pinterest and started looking at DIY leather projects. There were so many options for simple leather projects. I can’t believe I hadn’t done some of these things sooner!

Here are a few simple DIY leather projects for you to do for the Holidays.

What you'll need to get started

What you’ll need to get started.
A leather punch set
Scrap Leather
Hammer
Scissors
Sturdy Surface to work on
Leather Alphabet stamp set
String/Yarn/Twine

Optional Materials
Key rings
eyelets
metal rivets
Decorative beads

You can find most of these items at your local craft store. I bought all my materials from Joann’s Fabric store.

 

Use any scrap leather

 

First of all, I will say working with leather is a little harder than pinterest leads you to believe. (Who would have thought.) Punching holes into thick leather takes more hammering than one would expect.

you will need a hammer, metal leather stamps, and a sturdy workspace

hammering your leather stamps can be really loud

To get started on my leather name labels, I cut my scraps of leather into small odd shapes to give them character. I punched holes into the side to string them onto presents for wrapping. I stamped names onto the leather using my alphabet stamp kit.

Handmade leather keychains or use as an ornament

Another super simple and cute project are these keychain ornaments. I made them for my kids, and some other family members. We plan to hang them on the tree next year. As for this year, they will double as a gift label. You can create any shape you want for a keychain. If you want to be extra creative you can paint designs onto them too.

simple leather strap ornament

 

Simple leather strap round ornament

Using leather for name labels on gifts is a cute and simple way to spice up your gift wrapping

Here are some of the items I purchased from Joanns and Amazon.
Mini Punch Set
3mm Cotton Cord
Wooden Beads
Key Rings

Handmade leather labels and other simple leather projects