Leather jewelry has been dominant from historical times when it carried spiritual meaning to modern-day pieces that are the highlight of urban street style. Men love it, and so do women who are into distinctive trends or want a lightweight, non-reactive choice of material for their skin.
So it’s no surprise if you are looking to craft a few leather jewelry pieces yourself.
You probably already have the trendiest designs in mind. The next step is to find the leather to bring your jewelry making project to life.
What is the best sheet leather for jewelry making? Real (not faux) sheet leather is the best leather for jewelry making, especially for beginners. It is easy to use and versatile. The leather should be thin enough for your tools; if you use a Cricut, the dimensions of your sheet leather must be compatible with your machine.
You can cut sheet leather into any basic geometric shape or intricate motif for earrings, necklaces, and cuff bracelets, strip it to make fringes, curve it, and overlap multiple pieces for dimension and texture. The possibilities are simply endless.
That said, you cannot just pick any sheet of leather from a craft store and start making jewelry out of it. There are a couple of pre-purchase considerations to make, and we shall tackle that next. You will also find our recommendations for the best sheet leathers for jewelry making at the very end.
Sheet Leather For Jewelry – What to Look For
All leather is not the same, and one type of sheet leather could be far different from another in characteristics. Here are a few factors to ponder over to make an informed choice:
Type of Leather
Faux or PU leather is ubiquitous, attractive, comes in gorgeous colors and finishes, and can sometimes easily pass for real leather. It could be an option if you do not mind that it is not real leather and want to spend less.
On the flip side, it is less durable. Being delicate, it tears and cracks quickly, and the color and other embellishments may fade or chip over time. You definitely don’t want that for your jewelry. Compared to faux leather, real leather is tougher and with care can last a lifetime.
It’s worth investing in real leather if you can. If you can’t, your faux leather jewelry will still be eye-catching for a long time.
Colors, Prints, and Finishes
Colors, prints, and finishes are a matter of personal preference. Still, it is good to know what to expect.
Well, you’ll obviously have no trouble finding solid colors, especially neutrals. You may find beautifully embossed options as well as perforated sheets, and other fancy finishes like metallics if you look in the right places.
Sheet Size
The sheet size determines the number of jewelry pieces you’ll get out of it.
But pay attention to the dimensions, more than the length and width, when making a purchase. The thickness is just as important as the amount of pieces you can make. It affects the ease of cutting and manipulating your sheet leather, in addition to the sturdiness, weight, and feel of your handmade pieces.
If using a Cricut for making and cutting your designs, the sheet measurements couldn’t be more pertinent.
Have no time to browse through hundreds of sheet leather listings? Why not try any one of our three recommendations in the next segment.
The 3 Best Sheet Leathers For Jewelry Making
We scoured the internet for expert recommendations and have done some research on our own to find the top three sheet leathers for jewelry making.
Here are our top picks, all made with the real thing!
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | Moonster Real Leather Sheets | 2 sheets, buffalo, 1.5mm thick, 12x12" |
2. | Leather AA Purple Leather Sheets | 4 sheets, varied colors and thickness, 5x5" |
3. | Lapidiem Leather Sheets | 2 pieces, 2 mm thick, 10x10" |
Let’s look at each of these sheet leathers in more detail so you can pick the best one for your next project.
1. Moonster Real Leather Sheets
If you are after the authentic bohemian look for your jewelry, go for this full grain water buffalo leather in natural color and texture.
You get two sheet leathers, a russet brown and darker brown. Each sheet measures 12×12 inches and 2mm thick, which is ideal for most Cricut makers if you do not want to do things freehand.
An ⅛-inch thick, 36-inch long leather cord bundled with the sheets is a major bonus. You can use your imagination to incorporate it into your design, bead it, or save it for the right pendant to make a simple but beautiful necklace.
Unlike tooling leather that tends to be stiffer, these sheet leathers are semi formable, easy to handle, and perfect for jewelry crafting. Everything is made ethically and comes in a lovely soft cotton sleeve.
2. Leather AA Purple Leather Sheets
These genuine leather sheets from LeatherAA, an Italian leather company, are stunning. We are sure your DIY jewelry will turn out exquisite. They are so beautiful you might not want to cut them.
Each of the four sheets measures 5×5″ but varies in thickness, color, and texture. The colors and finishes are vivid and interesting. So, you can mix and match them to create something unique.
This particular option has purple and black in metallic and matte finishes and a perforated sheet, though there are 6 other choices with different colors and prints to choose from.
The size could be a deal-breaker for anyone looking to make bulk jewelry. Otherwise, It is one of the best sheet leathers for anyone who just wants to make a few personal jewelry pieces.
3. Lapidiem Leather Sheets
This 2-pack of real leather sheets from Lapidiem is another great pick. They have a size for every need. You get to choose from four different sizes: 6×12″, 10×10″, 12×12″, and 12×24″.
Also, there are seven cool color variants: claret red, yellow-tan, purple, green, sandy, whiskey brown, and tan. We would be shocked if you couldn’t find something to suit your needs!
Each sheet is real full-grain leather from cow hides sourced and tanned in Europe with the highest quality standards.
Although labeled as tooling leather, it is super soft and pliable enough to cut and punch holes in when making jewelry. In fact, the fact that it is thick and not a flimsy leather, will appeal to many jewelers. It will give body and structure to your handmade pieces.
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