How to Make Earrings with Cricut

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make earrings with Cricut, this is your sign to start. It’s easy to get carried away making all sorts of earrings once you master the basics. I’m warning you now, it’s addicting!

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Over the past few years, I’ve hoarded sheets of leather, waiting for inspiration to make earrings with Cricut. I’ve had “earring envy” when scrolling on Etsy or visiting craft fairs! For some reason, I kept putting it off, thinking it would require special skills.

I’m finally over the procrastination and happy to report that making earrings with Cricut is easier than I thought!

These handmade leather earrings look pretty enough to sell, and they make wonderful gifts for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or Christmas. (I hope none of my family members read this blog post because…SURPRISE, you’re getting earrings this year!)

Are you ready to take the plunge into earring-making with me?

Watch This Tutorial on YouTube

Making Earrings with Cricut – 6 Easy Steps

For this tutorial, you’ll need a Cricut Explore, Maker, Joy, or Joy Xtra machine. The one caveat for the Joy line of machines is that you can only cut “paper thin” faux leather.

I’ll cover all the steps using my Cricut Maker 3 machine and faux leather. However, I’ll note when to use different settings for other types of machines or leather.

Step 1: Design your earrings

I included a few variations in earring shapes for this tutorial. All designs were created directly in Cricut Design Space, so you don’t need fancy patterns to create custom earrings.

Let’s start with a simple teardrop earring cut on faux leather. You can place the earring holes at the top or bottom of the teardrop for two different styles.

For your convenience, I’ve shared these designs in Cricut Design Space. You’ll need a Cricut Access account for some shapes, or you can buy them a la carte. Follow me here to access this project and other fun Cricut tutorials.

If you want to add iron-on vinyl, I’ll cover that variation in Step 5 below.

Step 2: Send the design to cut

After you’re satisfied with the format of your design, click Make to send the design to your Cricut machine.

Select On Mat as the preferred method of loading your materials.

Assuming you’re making identical earrings, you do not need to mirror the design when cutting leather. However, you do need to mirror the design if you’re cutting iron-on vinyl, which I’ll cover below.

Material Settings

It helps to know the thickness of your leather material before cutting. I’ve mistakenly cut material too deep before, leaving some marks on my cutting mat.

Here’s a handy reference if you’re wondering which machines are compatible and which blades you’ll need for various types of leather (real and faux). Cricut has a full list of compatible materials here.

If your material isn’t listed, try measuring the thickness and test a similar material setting on a scrap piece.

Step 3: Prepare your leather

I recommend using inexpensive faux leather sheets so you won’t cringe if you have a rogue cut. You can move on to the expensive stuff after you iron out the kinks.

I purchased these faux leather sheets that I absolutely love. The bundle includes various patterns and textures in white, ivory, and taupe.

Place the leather with the good side facing down on a Strong Grip Mat (purple mat color). Then tape down all edges with painter’s tape.

You can decide whether to cut your leather into a smaller section or leave the sheet intact. If the leather isn’t sticking to the mat very well, try cutting the sheet into a smaller section to prevent the leather from shifting.

Step 4: Cut the earring shapes

For the best results, perform a test cut before processing your entire project. If the blade cuts into the mat, you can adjust the number of passes in your material settings or reduce the cut pressure to “Less.”

Once you’re satisfied with the settings, load your mat and press Go on the Cricut machine. One set of earrings with thin leather takes only 3-4 minutes to process.

Before removing the cutting mat from the machine, ensure the earrings are properly cut by lifting the corner with a weeding tool or fingernail. If you haven’t unloaded the mat, you can send the design to process again if necessary.

A Note About Earring Holes

The Cricut sometimes struggles to make earring holes if the leather texture is grainy or embossed. In this case, use a leather punch to create holes later, as shown below.

Step 5: Add foil iron-on (optional)

Do you want a little extra sparkle in your designs? Foil iron-on is a beautiful way to embellish real or faux leather earrings! This specialty iron-on vinyl has a high sheen and mimics the texture of your leather.

To cut foil iron-on (or any heat transfer vinyl), place the material shiny side down on a Standard Grip mat. Remember to mirror the image if needed.

After weeding (removing) the excess vinyl, use an EasyPress Mini or household iron to apply the iron-on material as shown below. I suggest using a Teflon sheet to protect your heat press and the leather material.

Step 6: Add jewelry findings to earrings

Use needlenose pliers to slip a jump ring through the earring holes. When opening a jump ring, always twist the ends away from each other (in a spiral) rather than pulling the ends apart.

To make a curved shape, I added two small holes at the top of the earring below. This helps the earring bend slightly once the jump ring is inserted.

Slip an earring hook through the jump ring and twist it closed to complete your earring.

Some earrings require two jump rings before attaching a hook to ensure the earring hangs properly. See the photo below for an example.

The size of your earring hooks should also factor into your earring design. Hooks with a ball and coil can extend the length of an earring, as shown below.

To add a finishing touch to real leather earrings, consider making your jewelry double-sided. (Simply cut a duplicate earring shape with your Cricut.)

You can use leather glue to adhere the front and back pieces of the earring. For a truly professional look, rub the edges with burnishing gum to prevent fraying.

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Tips for Making Leather Earrings with Cricut

After making many sets of earrings (and having my fair share of mishaps), I’ve come up with a few tips to keep in mind.

1. If you resize your earrings, don’t resize the earring holes. My favorite size for earring holes is 0.086 inches. (In Cricut Design Space, select Ungroup or Undo Subtract to isolate the holes from the earring shape.)
2. Consider the length of your earring hooks when designing your earrings.
3. Clean your mat before and after cutting leather.
4. When applying masking tape, avoid areas where the machine will cut the leather. Tape can get stuck in the Deep-Point Blade and interfere with the cut.
5. Don’t forget to slide the star wheels over before cutting leather. (Remember to move them back when you’re done too!)
6. Add a backside to leather earrings for more stability and durability. 
7. Clean your blade regularly after cutting leather.
8. Embellish your earrings by adding metal charms or layering designs.
9. Don’t forget to change your blade if you plan to add iron-on vinyl to your earrings. 
10. Don’t unload your mat before checking to see if the blade cut all the way. You can cut the leather again if necessary. 
11. Don’t use leather that measures more than 11 inches wide when cutting with your Cricut.
12. Move your design to different areas of the cutting mat to keep the mat in good shape and maintain stickiness.

I’d love to see your finished earring designs, so feel free to tag me on Instagram (@firstdayofhome)!

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