Leather Accent Plant Hanger

 The Leather Accent Plant Hanger is a modern and minimalist design that swaps the intricate knots of macrame for the clean lines and contemporary look of leather strapping, often combined with rope or chain for hanging. The leather typically forms the structural "basket" or cradle for the pot.

Here is a guide based on a common and straightforward design using crossed straps.

Materials Needed

Item	Recommended Type	Notes
Leather	Vegetable-tanned leather (4-6 oz / 1.6-2.4mm thickness) or sturdy faux leather	The leather should be thick enough to hold the weight of the pot but thin enough to be punched easily. You need two identical strips (the cradle) and four longer strips (the hanger).
Hanging Cord	Cotton Macrame Cord (5mm), thick rope, or a decorative brass/metal chain	Choose a length based on how low you want the hanger to sit.
Fasteners	Double-Cap Rivets (or Chicago Screws) and a setting tool	Rivets provide a professional, strong, and permanent bond. Choose a size appropriate for your leather thickness.
Hanging Hardware	Metal O-Ring (2-3 inches diameter) or D-Rings	A strong ring or loop is needed to gather the straps at the top for hanging.
Tools	Leather Hole Punch (or heavy-duty rotary punch), Hammer/Mallet, Ruler, Sharp Scissors/Rotary Cutter, Pencil/Awl for marking.

Instructions: Making the Leather Strap Hanger

This tutorial creates a cradle base using two intersecting leather straps, which is ideal for pots with a flat bottom.

Step 1: Measure and Cut the Leather Strips

1. Measure the Pot: Place your pot on its side. Measure the distance from the top rim, down under the bottom, and up to the top rim on the opposite side. Add 3 inches (7.5 cm) to this length for overlap and securing.
2. Cut the Cradle Straps: Cut two strips of leather to the length calculated in step 1. The width should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm).
3. Cut the Hanging Straps: Cut four strips of leather for the hanger. A safe starting length is 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) each, depending on desired drop height. The width should match the cradle straps (1 inch).

Step 2: Assemble the Cradle Base

1. Mark the Center: Find the exact centre point on both of your shorter cradle strips.
2. Punch the Center Hole: Using your leather hole punch, punch a hole at the centre of both strips.
3. Cross and Fasten: Place one strip over the other in a perfect "X" or cross shape ( angle), aligning the centre holes. Insert the post of a rivet (or the barrel of a Chicago screw) through both holes and secure it tightly with the cap and setting tool. This forms the base where the pot will sit.

Step 3: Attach the Hanging Straps

1. Punch Outer Holes: On the two ends of each of the four arms of the leather cross, you will need to punch two holes:
• Inner Hole: Punch one hole  inch (1.25 cm) from the central rivet.
• Outer Hole: Punch another hole  inch (1.25 cm) from the outer edge of the strap.
• You will now have 8 holes around the centre point.
2. Punch Hanger Holes: On the 4 long hanging strips, punch a hole at both ends of each strip. These holes will attach to the cradle base and the top ring.
3. Rivet Together: Line up the end of one long strap with an outer hole on the cradle. Insert a rivet and secure it. Repeat this process until all four long hanging straps are attached to the four arms of the cradle base.

Step 4: Add the Hanging Ring and Cord

1. Group the Tops: Gather the four free ends of the long leather straps at the top.
2. Attach to Ring: Feed all four straps through your metal O-ring (or D-ring).
3. Rivet the Top: Overlap the ends of the leather straps and rivet them securely just below the ring. You can use one long rivet through all four straps, or two separate rivets side-by-side for extra strength.
4. Hanging Cord: If you want a longer drop, you can tie your macrame cord or chain to this top metal ring. For a quick, finished look, you can tie the cord in a simple knot around the ring to create a loop for hanging.

Step 5: Final Check and Hang

1. Place the Pot: Place your pot firmly in the leather cradle. The four arms should rise evenly and hold the pot securely.
2. Test: Hang the entire assembly from a secure point and test its balance and weight capacity before hanging it in its final location.

Tips and Customisation

Tip Category	Advice
Leather Care	Waterproofing: Real leather is susceptible to water damage. Before assembly, treat the leather (especially the underside that touches the pot) with a leather sealant, boot wax, or a thin coat of water-resistant varnish to protect it from watering spills.
Aesthetics	Edge Finishing: For a more professional look, use an edge beveler to round the sharp corners and edges of the leather. You can also burnish the edges (rub them quickly with a wooden tool or canvas) to smooth them down.
Weight	Heavy Pots: For large or heavy pots, use thicker leather (6-8 oz) and swap rivets for Chicago screws. Chicago screws allow you to disassemble the hanger, and they offer superior holding power and adjustability.
Alternative Base	Kirigami Style: For a softer look, use a template to cut a single, large circle of leather with slits around the edge. The slits stretch and wrap around the pot when the hanging cords are threaded through them. This requires less hardware.
Hanging Height	Adjustable Straps: Instead of fixed-length straps, you can use thin leather straps with a few holes punched along the length. Attach a buckle at the top to make the height of the hanger easily adjustable.