Today’s upcycle had me digging deep; into the recycling bin again! If you’re looking for a creative way to turn small leather scraps into something stylish, these leather earrings are a fun DIY to try. But they are all the more special because of what the beads are made of….. soda cans!
Creative Craft Hop
Before we get to the tutorial, it’s time for another Creative Craft blog hop co-hosted every other month by yours truly and Donna from Modern on Monticello! If you are visiting from Gail at Purple Hues and Me, welcome! We’ll all be ready for Spring with her handpainted vase! Thanks for hopping over!
At the very bottom of this post, we’ll be directing you to the next stop on this venture. But don’t forget to check out the other stops too because you’ll find plenty more ideas. Be sure to drop back in throughout the week to visit them all!
Use What You Have
(Or Can Find)!
As someone who upcycles on the regular, I’ve developed a sixth sense for spotting soda cans in the wild. (Neighbourhood walks on recycle day are more like urban treasure hunts.) Normally, I’m all about bold graphics and quirky logos, but sometimes those ‘too-good-to-be-true’ designs are just plastic pretenders, leaving me with nothing but the shiny aluminum underneath.
Such was the case with what I thought was a beautiful printed graphic on this aluminum can. One of these can’s has a plastic wrap and the other one is a printed can. It’s hard to tell the difference at first glance.
Whomp whomp! The one on the right was actually a plastic wrapper over plain aluminum.
So what’s a gal to do when life hands her plain soda cans? Make earrings, of course! I paired the humble aluminum with the some leather scraps, eyelets and glass seed beads found at the thrift store. To create a focal, I handcrafted long metal beads from the can itself to swing freely in the middle, for an elevated curbside-meets-couture vibe.
Here’s how this project started by removing the plastic wrapper on the can.
By the way, I’m using a shorter drink can for this project. A standard size can is find if you’re only making a few beads. However, larger cans (like the first one shown above) will garner you more material if you want to make more than just a pair of leather earrings.
How to Make Leather Earrings
Hubs found me a bunch of scrap leather online, which I previously used to wrap the handle of this cool upcycled remote control holder. It’s the bag that just keeps on giving!
Simply cut two strips from the leather and punch holes at either end. I used my Olfa safety cutter to cut each strip.
The length will depend on how long your neck is; also keep in mind cut cut twice the length so it’s the exact drop you want when doubled-up.
Punching Holes in Leather Earrings
For the holes at either end, you’ll need a heavy duty leather punch, like the one shown below, to punch through the leather. I didn’t get a picture of the actual ones I punched, so the hole will be much smaller; just big enough to fit a jump ring.
Template
You can use our free template to make the soda can beads, which you can get by subscribing to our newest DIYs, crafts, recipes on the form below. Once subscribed, check out our Birdz on the Fly Freebie Library for a free printable template (you’ll get the password when you get our first e-mail).
If you’re already a subscriber, you already have access our free patterns and printables! Just search for the password at the top of any email.
Watch the Video
I singled out how to make the soda can beads in our latest video. It’s a quick tutorial to show you how!
Soda Can Beads
Cut and flatten your aluminum can (see how to cut tin cans). Mark 1” at the bottom and 1/8” at the top. Then, cut the aluminum into two long triangular strips. I just use a marker to mark the metal.
By the way, if you don’t have plain aluminum, just use the unprinted side of the can. Or incorporate the printed side into your design; the choice is up to you!
Then I cut it on a paper cutter.
Cut a piece of foil tape to the same shape as the metal, but make sure it extends so it can wrap around and hold it.
The foil should be long enough to wrap twice; it will keep it in place until you seal it. The foil tape was leftover from when we installed a new bathroom fan (see replace a bathroom fan).
Peel back one end and place on the end of the metal before rolling it up.
Roll the Soda Can Beads
I use a cotter pin to roll the strip of aluminum.
However, if you have a paper bead roller you can use that too. I actually bought one after I finished this project, to make bead en masse, but the cotter pin works great for small quantities!
Before you start to roll the metal, wear cut resistant gloves while rolling the aluminum. I like a rubber coated glove shown ahead.
Insert the metal into the slit of the cotter pin.
Wear Gloves
Now you can begin rolling. Keep rolling until you reach the end. A glove with a rubber coating can help grip the slippery metal.
Carefully wrap the foil tape around the rolled soda can bead.
Your first soda can bead is done! Getting it off the cotter pin can be tricky, but I find the rubber glove to be helpful to push it off from the end.
You can adjust the bead so the aluminum tape sits in the middle if it comes off the cotter pin a little out of shape.
Once your bead are off the cotter pin, you’ll notice that the metal on the inside of the bead where you inserted the metal onto the pin, is bent.
Flatten the Inside
Use something round, like a toothpick, or heavier skewer, to flatten the metal against the inside of the bead. You need to clear the hole for the next step.
Tip: to neaten the raw edges and keep the soda can bead from wobbling on the head pin wire, I use two grommets at either end. Dry fit them, but be sure to glue these with a suitable glue to attach them permanently in place.
Seal the aluminum bead with a good quality varnish, or Mod Podge if that’s what you have; you can do this before adding the grommets, but be sure not to obstruct the hole.
Create Head Pins
Now, create a head pin out of wire; form the first loop, then insert the wire through the middle of:
- a glass bead
- the soda can bead
- 3 more glass beads to embellish the drop.
Now you can form the loop at the top of the head pin to enclose everything.
Feed a large jump ring through both sides of the leather (where you punched the holes), catching the soda can bead in the middle (through the top loop of the head pin).
Add one more jump ring and then an earring wire and your leather earrings are ready to wear!
Here’s how it should look when all the beads are stacked onto the head pin and captured on the leather:
Leather Earrings Reveal
These leather earrings with soda can beads started life as yesterday’s drink, but today? They’ve gone from recycle bin to boho chic. Plain Jane cans really add the glam factor to rustic leather scraps! Now I’m no longer sad when I find what I think is a splashy can is only a plastic wrapper imposter!
Leather earrings are a great way upcycle leftover scraps!
This isn’t the first time I’ve transformed plain Jane aluminum cans. In the past, I’ve also made this aluminum can wall hanging that reflects the colours of the surroundings and shimmers in the breeze like giant sequins!
Pin Leather Earrings
If you found this project inspiring or helpful, why not share the love? Pinning is a great way to support our charitable work and helps others discover creative ideas too! Just click the Pin button and save it to your favourite board; you’ll be able to find it later when you’re ready to try it yourself. Every pin makes a big difference and keeps the creativity flowing!
Creative Craft Hop
Now it’s time to check out this Dollar Store St. Patrick’s Day Wreath from Suzanne at Shop at Blue. When you’re done, please remember to visit these other amazing talents below:
- Handpainted Printed Crocus Design Vase
- Leather Earrings with Soda Can Beads (that’s us!)
- Dollar Store St. Patrick’s Day Wreath
- The Easy Way to Create Decorative Chalkboards
- DIY Boho Wall Decor with Floral Stems
Wonderful project. I always enjoy seeing what you make from the recycling bin or from leftover scrap pieces. Pinned of course!
Thanks Donna! I never know what I’ll end up with; it always surprises me lol!
Sara, You’ve taken using soda cans to make something exquisite to a whole new level! Your amazing earrings look store bought and very elegant!
Thank you! I’d love to wear these, but I’ve actually misplaced them and can’t find them. I need to put a tracker on everything :).
Sara, you are the queen of repurposed aluminum and your creative projects never disappoint–what pretty earrings! Pinned! Blessings, Cecilia – My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks so much Cecilia!