Rustic Wood & Leather Decor Projects

Watch the video tutorial for a visual guide on creating these beautiful wood and leather ornaments!

View DIY Wood and Leather Ornaments Video

Time needed: 1 day

These easy wood and leather DIY ornaments make a great addition to neutral or boho-inspired Christmas tree decor. The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity and the ability to customize each ornament to your personal taste, making your holiday decorations truly unique.

1. Step 1: Cut Small Squares of Wood

   Begin by cutting your chosen wood into small squares. I utilized scrap 1/2″ thick poplar for its appealing light grain, cutting pieces between 2 and 2.5 inches. The number of ornaments you create is entirely up to you; for this project, I made a total of six squares to demonstrate various designs. When using a miter saw, always ensure your wood is securely clamped and maintain a firm grip, keeping your hands well away from the blade. Precision in this step lays the foundation for your beautiful ornaments.

2. Step 2: Mark Ends and Centers for Design

   This is where you start shaping your ornaments. Get creative with different geometric designs! For my ornaments, I used a random household container as a template for rounded corners and straight edges. This allowed me to create two small squares with softly rounded corners, two octagonal shapes by cutting approximately 1cm off each corner, and two larger squares with rounded corners, where I also marked their precise centers. To mark the center, simply draw pencil lines from opposite corners; where they intersect is your perfect center point. This preparation step ensures symmetry and makes drilling easier later on.

   

3. Step 3: Sand Corners and Surfaces, Drill Central Holes

   Achieving a smooth, finished look is key. Using a disc sander (or an orbital sander if you don’t have a disc sander), I carefully rounded off all the corners on my selected pieces and thoroughly sanded down all surfaces. This prepares the wood for staining, ensuring an even absorption of the finish. For the two larger ornaments, I drilled a prominent central hole using a 1-1/4″ Forstner bit. Forstner bits create very clean, flat-bottomed holes, which is ideal for a polished look. Always secure your wood with clamps when drilling to prevent movement and ensure safety.

   

4. Step 4: Apply Stain for a Boho Finish

   Now it’s time to add character to your wood pieces. I stained all the prepared wood ornaments using Varathane White Wash stain. This particular stain provides a subtle, translucent white finish that highlights the wood grain while giving it a soft, bleached, and very ‘boho’ aesthetic. Apply the stain evenly with a brush or rag, then wipe off any excess according to the product instructions. Allow ample time for the stain to dry completely before proceeding to the next steps. This ensures durability and a beautiful, lasting finish.

   

5. Step 5: Drill Top and Bottom Holes for Cord and Tassels

   Once the stain is dry, you’ll need to drill smaller holes at the top and bottom of each ornament. These holes are essential for attaching the leather hanging strap at the top and the decorative tassel at the bottom. A crucial tip for clean drilling: always start with a very small drill bit to create a pilot hole, ensuring perfect centering. Then, gradually increase the drill bit size until the hole is large enough to comfortably accommodate your 1/8″ leather cord. Attempting to drill with a single large bit from the start can cause the bit to slip, damaging your finished wood piece.

6. Step 6: Master the Art of Making a Leather Tassel

   Making a leather tassel might sound intricate, but it’s surprisingly simple and adds so much character to these ornaments! Here’s how:

   1. Take your leather cord and wrap it around your hand (or a small piece of cardboard for uniform length) about 7-10 times, depending on how full you want your tassel to be.
   2. Carefully slide a separate, longer piece of leather cord (just a few inches long) through the top loop of your wrapped cord. This will be used to secure the tassel.
   3. Cut through all the loops at the bottom of the wrapped cord, creating your individual tassel strands.
   4. Take another short piece of cord and wrap it tightly around the top loop (just above where you threaded the first longer piece) a few times to create the tassel’s ‘head’. Secure the end of this wrapping cord by slipping it underneath the wrapped section and adding a tiny dab of superglue for extra hold. If it feels loose, don’t hesitate to add a bit more glue.
   5. Once your tassel is complete, moisten the end of the longer cord you threaded through the top. This makes it more pliable and helps straighten out any bends from the packaging.
   6. Tie another small knot at the top of the cord (above the tassel) to create a more secure anchor for gluing.
   7. Insert the end of this cord into the bottom hole of your wood ornament and apply a small amount of superglue to hold it firmly in place.
7. Step 7: Create a Sturdy Top Loop for Hanging

   Every ornament needs a way to hang gracefully on the tree. For the top holes on each ornament, take another piece of leather cord and tie a secure knot to form a loop. The length of the loop can vary based on your preference, but ensure it’s long enough to easily slip onto a tree branch. Once the knot is tied, reinforce it with a small dab of superglue. This prevents the knot from coming undone and ensures your beautiful ornament hangs securely throughout the holiday season, year after year.

   

8. Step 8: Add Decorative Leather Accents (Optional)

   For the smaller, rounded ornaments that don’t feature tassels, I opted for a different leather embellishment. I cut out striking triangular shapes from the camel-colored leather sheet. These shapes were then carefully glued to both sides of the ornaments, adding a modern, geometric touch that beautifully contrasts with the soft wood. This step is a fantastic opportunity to personalize your ornaments further. Experiment with different leather shapes—circles, stripes, or even abstract cutouts—to match your desired aesthetic. Once the glue sets, your unique, handcrafted ornaments are complete and ready to adorn your tree!