One of the things I’m most excited about this fall—besides the slight drop in temperature—is the change in wardrobe. Maybe it’s the memory of living in Seattle, but cozy sweaters and layered outfits have me eager to refresh my closet.
And accessories are the real thrill. I’m always ready for a new hat or a great bag. That brings me to today’s simple DIY. The team at Painters (an Elmer’s product) sent a set of paint markers that work on many surfaces—metal, wood, leather, fabric, glass, and more—without rubbing off. Naturally, I decided to experiment with a bag…well, a clutch, really. The result is an easy way to personalize a wallet, clutch, bag, or backpack with a hand-lettered message.
If you’re not experienced with lettering or calligraphy, don’t worry—this is totally doable. These paint markers feel like writing on paper with a regular pen, and anyone can manage that.
Here’s what you’ll need to hand-letter your leather accessory. Hint: you’ll only need two items.
Materials:
– Painters paint markers (available in many colors and tip sizes)
– Leather clutch or any accessory you want to personalize
How to:
1. Choose a word or phrase for your clutch. I used “good vibes,” but other fun options include bonjour, je t’aime, ¡Hola!, or any short phrase that reflects your style.
2. Cut a piece of paper to match the size of the item you’re decorating. Practice your lettering on the paper first so you can get the letter size and placement right.
3. When you’re ready, write your word or phrase directly on the clutch in cursive. Keep a relaxed, steady motion and try not to lift the marker until you finish each word. Allow the paint a few minutes to dry before proceeding.
4. To make the lettering bolder and easier to read, thicken the downstrokes. For each downstroke, draw a parallel line beside it. You can vary the thickness or keep it consistent—choose what looks best to you. Let the paint dry a few more minutes after this step.
5. Once the paint is dry to the touch, fill in the spaces between the parallel lines you added in step 4. Touch up any spots that need smoothing. Allow the paint to dry fully, and your clutch is ready to use.
It really is that simple. Once you see how easy it is to personalize leather or other materials with paint markers, you’ll spot many more possibilities. After photographing this clutch, I thought about adding colorful accents to metal bracelets I recently bought—another quick and creative use for these markers.
Photography and hand lettering by Rachel Anne Brewer
Concept and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
Will you try this clutch makeover? What phrase would you choose?
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This post was created in partnership with Painters. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep creative projects like this one possible.