Leather Petal Earrings Tutorial

You may have seen some fun leather earrings cut out in the shape of a petal. Why not take it a step further and add some extra pizazz! Just adding some chain and a couple of crystals gives them a little bit of sparkle.

Created by: Summer Melaas

Designer Tips

• Make a paper template in the shape of a petal. Mine was about 2" in length and 1.5" in width at the widest point.
• Trace with a small black Sharpie on the top of the leather. You may think, "Why not the back?" If you cut from the front of your leather, you get a smoother, more clean cut!
• Cut out your shape. The Lindstrom shears work great not only for metal sheet, but also for leather.
• Mark a couple of spots about 1/4" down from the top, but towards the side. Using the leather hole punch, punch one hole on each upper side of the petal.
• Cut 2 pieces of chain about 1-3/4". Cut 2 pieces of chain about 2".
• Place the smaller 3mm jump ring on each of the top chains.
• For best way to open and close loops, see Jump Ring Hint in Jewelry Basics 101 (PDF)
• Place the 7mm jump ring into one hole of the petal. Place 2 chains (one short, one long) with the jump rings onto the 7mm jump ring. Now run the 7mm jump ring through the other hole on the petal. 
• Close up the jump ring.
• Attach the French wire to the 7mm jump ring.
• Using the 4mm jump ring, attach the crystal rivoli pendant to the bottom of the shorter chain. Using another 4mm jump ring, attach the pear to the bottom of the longer chain.
• Repeat for other earring.

Suggested Supplies

• 1 foot  #40-090-60-7 Antiqued Copper Plated Flat Cable Chain, 1.9mm
• 1 100-pack (use 2)  #37-175-COP  TierraCast Raw Copper Round Jump Rings, 7.6mm, 16-gauge
• 1 ounce (use 6)  #37-101-7  Antiqued Copper Plated Jump Ring, Round, 3mm
• 1 ounce (use 4)  #37-113-7a  Antiqued Copper Plated Jump Ring, Round, 4mm
• 1 Pair  #34-003-8  TierraCast Earring Hook Findings, Niobium - Bronze and Copper Color
• 2 each  #06-128-08-431  Swarovski 6128 Mini Pear Pendant, 8mm - Rose Gold
• 2 each  #06-428-06-452  Swarovski 6428 Rivoli Pendant, 6mm - Rose Patina

• #69-104 BeadSmith Rotating Leather Hole Punch
• #69-409 Lindstrom Shear
• #69-380 Tapered Flush Cutter

Additional Supplies

• Soft leather strip or sheet, Approx. 1.8mm thick (ours was a 3x9" strip of Sizzix cowhide, metallic bronze)

If you want to take it a step further, add some faceted stones or crystal to multiple chains with a beautiful stone, crystal, or pearl to top it off!