This is a quick and simple Valentines Day gift. Inexpensive and practical, this durable gift is sure to hang around for awhile.

Step 1: Supplies

There are several way to complete this project. I will demonstrate three ways you can close the loop for the fob. All are relatively simple, it just allows for what supplies you might have on hand.

For this project you will need:

Scape leather (at least 3x4 inches)

Soldering Iron (or Wood burning tool)

Xacto knife

Pen

Paper

Sharp Pointy Object (Awl, drill, screw driver, thick needle, punch, ice pick)

Scissors

Key Ring

For Rivet Closure:

A punch

A rivet (back and front)

A rivet setter

For Needle and Thread Closure:

Needle

Thread

Candle

For the Sewing Awl Closure:

A Sewing Awl

Step 2: Heart Design

Fold your paper in half.

Draw half a heart the size you want your key fob to be (about 2").

Cut out your heart. . .muhahahahah. Sorry, couldn't resist!

Step 3: Leather Heart

Trace the heart cut out onto the leather. I had some lace leather lying around, however any relatively thick leather will work.

Measure about a half inch centered over the top of the heart.

Draw parallel lines about 2 1/2 inches.

Use a penny or other coin to create a gentle arch for the top of the flap.

Use the Xacto knife to cut out the heart. For the curves of the heart, cut in small sections.

The edges can be cleaned up after the shape is completely cut out.

Step 4: Burning the Details

Use either the wedge tip on a Wood Burning tool, or the thinnest tip on a soldering iron.

Plug in and heat up your soldering iron.

Starting at the tip, burn a short line (1/16 to 1/8 inch) on the edge of the leather heart. Spacing as evenly as you can roughly the same 1/16 to 1/8 inch.

Carefully trace the marks between the top of the heart and the extra flap of leather, continuing the design.

Run your soldering iron around the edges of the heart, this will help seal the leather as well as clean up the shape.

Words, pictures or designs can be added to the center or it can be left as is.

Step 5: Closures : Rivet

Place the top of the rivet just above the peak of the heart and press to get an impression.

Use a punch, awl, any sharp pointy object (carefully) to create a hole in the first layer.

Fold the flap of leather behind and using the first hole as a guide, punch a hole through the other side.

Lining up the holes, place the bottom part or the rivet on the back, and the top of the rivet on the front.

Carefully place the top rivet on the anvel part of the rivet setter, line up the setting punch and give one to three firm whacks, just until the rivet holds.

Be careful when hitting the setter, as the rivet can deform and shift.

Feed the key ring through the loop.

Step 6: Closures: Needle and Thread

Use an awl, drill, screw driver, thick needle or other sharp pointy object to punch holes, using your design as a guide.

Thread a needle, doubling the thread. There is no need to tie a knot when sewing leather.

Place the thread on top of the candle and press down with your finger. Twist the thread as you slowly drag it out from between your finger and the candle. Instant waxed thread!

With the leather folded, start sewing at the back. Push your needle through the first hole, down through the second. Continue till the last hole.

The thread and needle should be on the front. The last hole is now the first, so push the needle down through the second. Continue till you get to the last hole.

Loop one last time, so both ends are in the back of the piece and then double knot. If the knot hangs out a bit just poke it into the nearest hole.

Feed the key ring through the loop.

Step 7: Clousures: Sewing Awl

Fold the leather flap down and push the sewing awl through both thickness of leather.

Pull the thread all the way through the leather, leaving approximately 2 inches of thread out on thr back side of the leather.

Holding the thread, pull the awl back through the leather and push it through once more using your design as a guide.

Once the awl is pushed through, pull it back out slightly. This should leave a loop of thread. Push the 2 inch lead thread through the loop.

Pull the awl out and pull the thread taunt on both sides of the leather. Repeat.

On the last push of the awl, work the thread away from the needle and pull about 2 inches free. Snipe the thread and remove the sewing awl.

Tie a double knot and poke the knot into the closest hole.

Feed the key ring through the loop.

Step 8: Finish

If desired, wax or saddle soap can be used to give the leather a more supple feel.

Viola!

A beautiful Valentine that will last longer than a bouquet of roses!!