I know, I KNOW. Gemstones are so last year. But leather is way in so I’m half on-trend with these cuties. Anyways I still like diamondey things so I’m going with these DIY leather gemstone ornaments and you’ll just have to deal.

Keep on reading to learn how to make your own DIY leather gemstone ornaments, plus learn the easy trick for gold foiling which I’ve just discovered and want to do forevermore. Foil all the things!

DIY Leather Gemstone Ornaments

Materials:

• leather gemstone template
• thick leather

TIP: upcycle! Use a thrifted leather belt or bag to save money and give an old item new purpose.

• sharp scissors or fabric scissors
• pencil or marker
• leather punch tool* (you could get away with a thick nail and hammer if you don’t have one)
• gold foil sheets* for decorating (you could also use gold leaf, gold glitter, gold craft paint, or something not gold—but that’s crazy talk, why would you ever NOT use gold?)
• Zig Memory System 2-Way Glue Pen* OR foil transfer adhesive* (but I’d go with the pen—it’s magical. For reals.)
• jump rings* and metallic embroidery thread* or other cord/string for hanging

*AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS MEANS IF YOU PURCHASE, I WILL EARN A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA CHARGE TO YOU, WHICH IS PRETTY SWEET BECAUSE IT HELPS ME PAY BLOGGING BILLS, SO THANK YOU! I WILL ONLY LINK TO PRODUCTS I HAVE USED OR WOULD USE MYSELF, PINKY PROMISE.

Directions:

Step One – Trace the template onto the back side of leather and cut out with sharp scissors. I’ve made 3 different sized templates to fit different belt widths if you are going the upcycled route.

Step Two – Punch a small hole in the top of the ornament.

Step Three – Now comes the easy gold foil trick. Use the glue pen to paint glue onto the area of the leather you want to foil. The glue will be blue when wet and dry clear. It will still be tacky when it’s dry, which is what we want for foiling.

It’s hard to tell in this photo but the ornament on the left is still wet and the one on the right is dry. This glue only takes a couple minutes to dry so you don’t have to wait around forever.

*If you’re using any other foil adhesives, be sure to follow the directions for that product.

Step Four – When the glue is completely clear, and tacky rather than wet to the touch, lay a piece of gold foil over the glue—SHINY SIDE UP, my friends—and rub it all over with your finger. You will see the foil start to separate from the sheet.

Step Five – Peel off the foil and you have a beautiful foiled ornament. MAGIC.

If you missed any spots you can just put the foil back on, rub rub rub, and peel again.

Step Six – Attach a jump ring and a bit of metallic embroidery thread for hanging.

And that’s it! Cover your home in handmade Christmas ornaments.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway to Artfully Walls!

Ok who else is stunned that the holidays are so imminent? Can we just all agree that it still feels like September?

*AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS MEANS IF YOU PURCHASE, I WILL EARN A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA CHARGE TO YOU, WHICH IS PRETTY SWEET BECAUSE IT HELPS ME PAY BLOGGING BILLS, SO THANK YOU! I WILL ONLY LINK TO PRODUCTS I HAVE USED OR WOULD USE MYSELF, PINKY PROMISE.