Learn how easy it is to turn any word into a DIY necklace with Cricut Explore and some scraps of leather!
You know why I look a little delirious (and happy) in this photo? It’s because I had just finished the LAST of my jewelry projects for the Cricut Explore Air Gold being sold at Jo-Ann Fabrics! And I’m wearing about half of them! :) This week I’ve been sharing these patterns and projects that are exclusive to Jo-Ann, and today is all about necklaces and bracelets. {FTC disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links so I may make a few pennies if you buy something!}
On Tuesday, I shared a tutorial for cutting leather with your Cricut Explore (hint: TRANSFER TAPE – life changing). And while these specific images/projects are exclusive to the Jo-Ann Gold Explore Air, you can take almost ANY single-layer image in Design Space and turn it into a leather necklace (or a bracelet!) with just a few tools!
BEFORE WE MAKE OUR DIY NECKLACE, LET’S RECAP LEATHER AND CRICUT:
As I mentioned before, on Tuesday, I shared a tutorial for cutting leather with your Cricut Explore. If you missed that post, I highly recommend that you check it out before starting this DIY. This is because, in the post, I share all my tips and tricks for cutting leather and show a full step-by-step tutorial for making some adorable leather earrings.
However, if you want to skip the reading (even though you shouldn’t) and just want to dive into necklace-making, I want you to remember one thing …. USE TRANSFER TAPE! – LOL
āThis is the second time I’ve mentioned Transfer Tape, and it’s because of good reason.
If you have used leather with your Cricut mat before, then you know that your mat can get messy! Case in point, see the photo below!
I didn’t like using leather at all for this reason, so I mentioned it to my girl Melissa at Cricut. When I did, she said, āwhat about putting transfer tape on the back of the leather?ā My brain was blown, and a new obsession was born. So, for those of you whoāve avoided leather because you didnāt want to ruin your mat ā join me in the awesomeness of this little life hack that will change everything.
Again, to see a full step-by-step tutorial on how to use transfer tape with leather, click here!
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Ā·
- Cricut ExploreĀ® Air and Design Space software
- Cricut ExploreĀ® Deep Cut Housing and Blade
- CricutĀ® Strong Grip mat
- Transfer Tape
- tooling leather
- awl or small hole punch
- gold or silver necklaces (buy the pre-made ones!)
- jump rings
- wire cutters
- pliers
- foam brush
- Folk Art Paint
NOTE: For this project, I am using the Cricut Explore Air. However, you can use any Cricut machine you have on hand. With that being said, if you use a Cricut Joy, you will want to use faux leather and not tooling leather.
HOW TO MAKE DIY NECKLACE WITH CRICUT:
1. Simply cut your image using the “Leather, Heavy” option under the Custom setting on the Smart Set Dial (it also has an option for “Leather, Medium” and “Leather, Light”, but for tooling leather, you definitely want the heavy setting). If you are using a Cricut Maker or Cricut Joy, you would go to the material setting to choose leather.
2. Once youāve cut out the image, punch a hole in either side with the awl or small hole punch, paint (if desired), and add a jump ring on both sides and a necklace chain! Then you are done!
Now, if you want to learn more about painting your leather and creating the heart necklace (shown below in the middle), then keep reading below!
(left) – reversible leather statement necklace with gold foil accents, (Center) – gold painted birch heart necklace, (RIGHT) – tri-color leather pendant necklace
NOTE: As you can tell by the photos, I made DIY jewelry that was large and in charge! However, you can adjust the font size to make the entire thing small.
HOW TO PAINT LEATHER:
I like using tooling leather for two reasons. It is easy to find online or in any mass craft store, and you can paint it! I cut the bold, brave, and beautiful words from the same piece of tooling leather, then painted each of them a vivid, bright color. That gold metallic paint! I want to slap it on everything!
HOW TO CREATE HEART NECKLACE:
I repeated the same process for these love you heart pendants out of birch “paper”Ā using the “Wood, Birch” option in the Custom setting on the Smart Set Dial.Ā I’m telling you – the Cricut Explore cuts EVERYTHING!Ā I was even able to use the Folk Art paint on the wood to customize the colors. So, so, so easy!
FINALLY CRICUT THOUGHTS AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES PHOTOS:
I have had such an amazing week and so much fun with the Cricut and Jo-Ann Fabrics teamsā¦I hope you all have enjoyed seeing what goes on around here. If you’ve already got a Cricut Explore, I hope you will take the leap and start cutting materials you’d never thought about before – including that Adhesive Gold Foil I am crazy about! If you DON’T already own a Cricut, I hope some of these projects have inspired you to think about getting your own.
On a side note, Motherās Day is just around the corner, and these Cricut jewelry ideas would be a great handmade gift (hint, hint)!
Behind-the-scenes photo #1 – my fabulous friend Kelly of Kelly Goree Photography came over to give us a hand with some of these shots. She is tiny. I am a giant. So this is how it went down.
Behind-the-scenes photos #2 and #3 – Thank goodness for fellow Army wives – I needed a “young neck” model, so my friend Angelina came over for a glass of wine and a quick photo shoot. Her mom came with her and was a fabulous styling assistant, and when we couldn’t figure out a good way to show the word bracelets and necklace in the same shot, I got in the photo with her AND FORGOT I WASN’T WEARING ANY MAKEUP OR JEWELRY. Hey – at least I’d remembered to shower. ;)
How To Make DIY Necklace with Cricut and Leather
Materials
- Cricut ExploreĀ® AirĀ and Design Space software
- Cricut ExploreĀ® Deep Cut Housing and Blade
- CricutĀ® Strong Grip mat
- Transfer Tape
- tooling leather
- awlĀ or small hole punch
- gold or silver necklaces (buy the pre-made ones!)
- jump rings
- wire cutters
- pliers
- foam brush
- Folk Art Paint
Instructions
- Simply cut your image using the āLeather, Heavyā option under the Custom setting on theĀ Smart Set DialĀ (it also has an option for āLeather, Mediumā and āLeather, Lightā, but for tooling leather, you definitely want the heavy setting). If you are using a Cricut Maker or Cricut Joy, you would go to the material setting to choose leather.
- Once youāve cut out the image, punch a hole in either side with the awl or small hole punch, paint (if desired), and add a jump ring on both sides and necklace chain!
IF YOU LOVE THIS DIY NECKLACE WITH CRICUT, THEN CHECK OUT OUR DIY EARRINGS WITH CRICUT!
Tanya says
I love the necklaces! "Brave" … can think of a few friends I need to make this for. Thanks for sharing and inspiring!!
Dianne Dunn says
Your ideas and tutorials are awesome. I love my Cricut explore air golf. I also bought the gold tools to match last week. I made a pillow for my bathroom yesterday and put my initial on the front with iron on vinyl. The things you can do with the Cricut explore air is endless. So many people across the country are making projects and sharing them which inspires others. You are beautiful with and without makeup. I just love your enthusiasm and I look forward to what you have next. The jewelry is beautiful.