Want to make leather earrings? Here’s how.
I love a good DIY statement jewelry project, and these oversized leather earrings are an easy, stylish option. Each pair measures roughly 3–4 inches long, so they have real presence without being heavy. You can make a pair in about 15 minutes, and they’re lightweight enough to be comfortable all day.
If you don’t have pierced ears, no problem—this design adapts easily to clip-on backs with a simple swap. The steps below are straightforward and require only a few basic tools and supplies.
Materials
- Small sheet of leather (8.5 x 11 inches or smaller) or leather scraps
- Earring posts and backs, or clip-on earring backs
- Jump rings
- Sharp blade or sturdy scissors
- Needle-nose pliers
- Leather hole punch (smallest setting recommended)
- Super glue suitable for bonding leather to metal
The leather used here has a slightly textured surface, medium thickness, and is very lightweight—almost cork-like. If you can’t find a similar leather locally, you can order small sheets online. This same leather has worked well for other projects like leather cabinet pulls and tassels, so any leftover scraps can be repurposed.
How to Make Leather Earrings
1. Trace and plan shapes. Cut a variety of silhouettes from the leather—geometric shapes like circles, squares, triangles and ovals work particularly well. Use wooden blocks, stencils, or household items as templates, or draw freehand.
2. Cut the leather. After tracing your shapes, cut them out cleanly with a sharp blade for curved lines or scissors for straighter edges. Take your time to keep the edges neat and consistent.
3. Punch holes and assemble. Use a leather hole punch to make a small hole where the jump ring will attach. The smallest punch setting usually fits best. Link paired pieces with a jump ring, adjusting ring size as needed—some stacked or layered designs require a larger jump ring to sit correctly. Use needle-nose pliers to open and close jump rings securely.
4. Attach earring hardware. Bond earring posts to the back of each assembled piece using super glue formulated for leather-to-metal adhesion. Press the post in place and allow the glue to cure completely before wearing. If you prefer clip-ons, adhere the clip-on backing instead of a post.
Tips and variations
- Experiment with layered shapes and different jump ring sizes to create movement and depth.
- Mix textures—smooth leather paired with a rougher piece creates visual interest.
- Try painting or edge-dyeing the leather before assembly for contrasting colors.
- For nonpierced ears, use sturdy clip-on backs attached the same way you would attach posts.
More DIY jewelry ideas
- Try lightweight wood earrings with playful painted faces.
- Explore polymer clay earring techniques for colorful, custom shapes and patterns.
- Make clay-bead bracelets for fun, tactile accessories.
- Try a beaded necklace project for a classic, handmade statement piece.
- For a unique project, consider a handmade chain or hand-shaped necklace design.
DIY Leather Earrings (Statement Jewelry)
Brittni
Ingredients
- Small sheet of leather (8.5 x 11 or smaller) or leather scraps
- Earring posts and backs or clip-on earring backs
- Jump rings
- Sharp blade or scissors
- Needle-nose pliers
- Leather hole punch
- Super glue suitable for leather-to-metal bonding
Instructions
- Trace and cut a variety of shapes from your leather using templates or freehand sketches.
- Cut out shapes carefully with a sharp blade or scissors, keeping edges clean.
- Punch a small hole for the jump ring on each piece, then join layers with jump rings and close them securely with pliers. Adjust jump ring size as needed for layered designs.
- Glue earring posts or clip-on backs to the reverse side and allow glue to dry fully before wearing.
Photography Amelia Lawrence
I’m partial to the pairs that combine squares and circles—those geometric shapes feel fresh and versatile. Which style would you wear?