Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Review and Giveaway – Leather Jewelry: 30 Contemporary Projects

by

Lark Books publishes a wide variety of excellent Jewelry Books from the instructional (such as the book reviewed here) to the informative (such as 1000 Rings).

Today I have the pleasure to review Leather Jewelry: 30 Contemporary Projects by Nathalie Mornu.

This is a very impressive and fun book.  It includes not only step-by step instructions for a variety of projects ranging from stunning to funky and fun, but also a lengthly section on leather itself, the different types of finishes and textures, how to choose leather for projects, what tools you will need and even where to source it (including thrift stores, used samples from furniture stores, etc.).  Mornu also includes excellent illustrations of techniques that will be needed to complete the projects and many many photographs to give visual example to what she is describing.

Other than the excellent projects for you to try, Mornu has included miriad of examples of leather jewelry made by contemporary jewelers.  The works included will inspire and even amaze you. You will want to get working on these projects so that you can have them to wear and so that you can learn the skills that it takes to create imaginitive pieces of your very own.

If you are excited about this book, here is your chance!  Leave a comment below to be entered for a chance to win the review copy.  Leave a second, third, etc. comment letting me know that you have posted a link to this review on Twitter, Facebook, etc. – for additional chances to win.  The double bonus though is that Nathalie has included with the book, a variety of colors and textures of leather to get you going on the projects.  So the winner of this giveaway will be off to a roaring start.  Also, don’t forget, if this book inspires you to create, post photos on our Crafty Review Pool on Flickr so we can all see what you have made.

Enjoy and Good Luck!

(A winner will be chosen at random on May 2nd. US mailing addresses only please. )

Comments

  3. I’m extremely excited about this book! I have lots offcuts from a leather maker. This book would be so helpful! I will comment on twitter and FB!

  4. Looks like a fabulous book! I’ve been so taken with leather jewelry lately 🙂

  6. Wow! This is totally cool… I would love to win this book and try out a new craft. Thank you!

  7. This craft would be awesome to try… I love leather. Thanks for the chance! Crossing my fingers and toes……

  11. i would looooove to win this!
    in the past a started up making jewelry and then i went back to stitching again and moved on to sewing
    plus i have some lether that i would love to use for jewelry.
    so i would so so want to win this book
    thanks!

  14. I would love to have this book! I did some leather-working about 25 years ago or so – just small things – and would love to get back into it. Thanks for the opportunity!

  16. What a great giveaway! I have always wanted to get into leather crafting but just didn’t know where to begin. This would be an awsome win for anyone! Thanks for sharing.

  17. This is a great giveaway!!!!! I have always wanted to try leather and would love to win. Thanks for letting us in our a great book.

  23. I’ve beaded and done some leather crafting for 25 years…but other than an occasional earring or pin with leather fringe, never thought of combining the 2 mediums. Thanks for a SUPER idea.
    (PS. I’d love to win your book!)

  24. What a fabulous giveaway! I love leather and would love the opportunity to further my knowledge/skills with this book and samples. Thanks SO much

  25. This looks so neat! I have a bunch of small leather scraps, but no idea how to use them.

Have you read?

10 DIY Halloween Jewellery Ideas That Are Cute, Not Creepy

There is a very fine line between Halloween jewellery that feels fun and festive, and Halloween jewellery that looks like you raided the costume aisle five minutes before leaving the house. I say this with love, because we have all been there. A pair of plastic spider earrings, a glow-in-the-dark necklace from the bottom of the party box, and suddenly we are less “autumnal handmade goddess” and more “school disco chaperone who tried very hard.”

But cute Halloween jewellery? Now that is where the magic happens.

These DIY Halloween jewellery ideas are for those of us who want to enjoy the season without going full haunted house. Think sweet little ghosts, pumpkins, bats, sugar skulls, sparkly beads, handmade pendants and playful pieces you can actually wear to school pickup, work, craft group, lunch with friends, or while handing out lollies at the door.

I love Halloween crafting because it gives us permission to be a little silly with our supplies. You can pull out the orange beads, the black wire, the googly eyes, the air-dry clay, the glittery bits you bought three years ago and absolutely swore you would use. And jewellery is such a lovely way to join in without decorating the entire house or committing to a full costume.

These cute DIY Halloween jewellery tutorials are perfect for beginners, tweens, teens, craft groups, handmade gifts, market makes, and anyone who loves a seasonal accessory with a bit of personality. Nothing too creepy, nothing too gory, just sweet handmade Halloween jewellery with charm.

Cute Ghost Earrings For Halloween

These little ghost earrings are a lovely place to start if you want something recognisably Halloween without being over the top. They are light-hearted, playful and would be sweet for tweens, teens, or anyone who likes a bit of seasonal fun without the fright factor. They would also make cute non-candy Halloween gifts for friends or grandkids.

Project link: Halloween Ghost Earring Tutorial

Tiny Ghost Stud Earrings

If dangling earrings are not your thing, these ghost stud earrings are a softer and more everyday-friendly version of Halloween jewellery. They are affordable, lightweight and cute enough to wear all through October without feeling like you are dressed for a costume party. I love this style for anyone who wants a subtle handmade Halloween accessory.

Project link: DIY Ghosts Halloween Stud Earrings

Pumpkin Wire Earrings

Pumpkin jewellery is my favourite “cute, not creepy” Halloween option because it works for autumn, harvest season and Halloween all at once. These CraftBits pumpkin wire earrings use simple jewellery supplies, including wire, small green beads, jump rings and earring hooks, and the tutorial notes they take about 15 minutes to make. They are cheerful, wearable and a great stash-busting project.

Project link: Jewelry Making – Pumpkin Wire Earrings

Easy Bat Pendant

A bat pendant can go very spooky very quickly, but this one keeps things simple and crafty. It uses cardstock, glue, nail polish, jump rings and a chain, which makes it a clever low-cost Halloween jewellery idea if you do not want to buy special supplies. I would wear this over a plain black top and call that my Halloween outfit sorted.

Project link: Make An Easy Bat Pendant

Googly Eyed Necklace

This googly eyed necklace is wonderfully ridiculous in the best possible way. It is not elegant, and it is not trying to be, which is exactly why it works. This is the sort of Halloween jewellery project that gets comments, makes kids laugh, and gives you a chance to use those googly eyes hiding in the craft drawer.

Project link: Googly Eyed Necklace

Sugar Skull Necklaces From Air Dry Clay

Sugar skull designs bring colour and detail to Halloween jewellery without leaning into anything too scary. This air-dry clay necklace idea is a lovely one for crafters who enjoy painting, decorating and adding their own little flourishes. It would also be a nice family craft if you want everyone to decorate their own pendant in different colours.

Project link: Sugar Skull Necklaces From Air Dry Clay

Hand Drawn Halloween Pendant

If you enjoy doodling, painting or mixed media crafts, this hand drawn Halloween pendant is a sweet way to turn tiny artwork into jewellery. The original project uses vintage paper, wooden shapes and waterproof ink, so it has that handmade storybook feeling rather than a plastic costume-shop look. You could make pumpkins, moons, black cats, stars, candy corn or little haunted houses and keep the colours as soft or bold as you like.

Project link: Hand Drawn Halloween Pendant Tutorial

Sparkly Halloween Crystal Necklace

For a prettier take on Halloween jewellery, this sparkly crystal necklace is a good reminder that seasonal pieces do not have to be novelty-only. A bit of black, orange, purple or smoky crystal can feel festive and still look grown-up. This would be lovely for someone who wants Halloween jewellery that works with a nice blouse rather than a costume cape.

Project link: Sparkly Halloween Necklace

Crochet Ghost Pin

This little crochet ghost pin is adorable, especially if you prefer yarn crafts over beads and wire. The CraftBits pattern uses small amounts of white worsted weight yarn, wiggle eyes, a pin backing and glue, making it a sweet scrap-yarn Halloween project. Pin it to a cardigan, tote bag, scarf or denim jacket for a soft handmade touch.

Project link: Crochet Ghost Pin

A Few Tips For Making Halloween Jewellery Look Cute, Not Creepy

The easiest way to keep DIY Halloween jewellery wearable is to soften the colour palette a little. Instead of only using harsh orange and black, try adding cream, soft gold, lilac, blush pink, pearl, smoky grey, mint green or copper. It still feels seasonal, but it looks more handmade and less party-store.

Scale also makes a big difference. Tiny ghosts, small pumpkins and dainty bats feel charming, while oversized skulls and dripping designs can become costume-heavy very quickly. Of course, if dramatic is your thing, go for it. But for everyday Halloween jewellery, smaller motifs are usually easier to wear.

You can also turn almost any Halloween craft into jewellery by thinking smaller. A tiny crochet ghost becomes a brooch. A mini clay pumpkin becomes a pendant. A painted wooden charm becomes earrings. That is the joy of jewellery making — you only need a small amount of supplies to make something with personality.

And honestly, handmade Halloween jewellery is one of those projects that feels extra satisfying because you can finish it quickly and wear it straight away. No waiting for a big quilt to be bound, no half-finished basket of shame glaring at you from the corner. Just a cute little pair of earrings or a pendant, ready for October.