How To: Leather Key Fob

This is a tutorial for making a leather key fob. I am making this key fob for my Grandma as a present. I hope you enjoy and can make one too!

Step 1: Step 1: Materials

You will need:
Clean Water
2 Clean Sponges
Leather Finish
Leather Piece (kit)
Hard Surface
Leather Lace (kit)
Tape
Mallet
Stamps: Veiner, Seeder, Camouflage
Key Ring (kit)
Swivel Knife
Pencil or Pen

Step 2: Step 2: Case Leather

To case (wet) your leather, you will need the clean water, and one of the sponges. Dip the clean sponge into the water, and apply the water to the leather you are using. Get it visibly wet, but not soaked. Once the leather has returned to the natural color, you are ready to transfer your design.

Step 3: Step 3: Transfer Design

First you need to have a design on paper, or in mind. Find one that will fit the leather piece you are using for the key fob. I am choosing the sun to represent "You Are My Sunshine" for my Grandma. Once you have the design, you will need to know tape it over the leather you are using so it won't move while you are drawing over your design. Use a pencil or pen to firmly press down while going over the design. When done, remove the paper and you will see the design in the leather. Do this on both sides with same or different design.

Step 4: Step 4: Cut in the Design

Take your swivel knife, having it straight up and down tilted slightly away from you, and pulling it towards you. Go over the lines in the design, being careful if the lines are close together.

Step 5: Step 5: Stamps

For this step you will need the stamps from the material list. Stamps will be straight up and down, sometimes tilted left or right.

Step 6: Step 6: Finish

Let your key fob dry, then take your finish and the 2nd clean sponge. Dip the clean sponge in water, wringing out excess, then drip finish onto wet sponge. Apply the finish to the leather evenly.

Step 7: Step 7: Lace and Key Ring

Insert Key Fob into Key Ring, and place key ring in middle top. Begin lace in between layers at hole 1, threading out, leaving 1 inch lace in between layers. Lace over the edges back into hole 1 again, with lace end between parts, pulling it tight. Continue lacing over edges diagonally down through next holes around fob. At the last hole, end between layers and out under previous stitches. Pull tight, trimming the lace close.