Some Of My New Stuff

[Keeleon Ohms]

Still pretty new, but I just recently did my first event, and it went great. People really liked my stuff, and I'm looking forward to making more in the future. Here's a few examples of my recent stuff I'm proud of.

You can see some more of my pictures here: https://plus.google.com/photos/100186573419365785808/albums/5750042846997363777?authkey=CPHzmvG4g-zYTQ

And here: https://plus.google....=CK3psvzRn8KFHw

And my website: www.TheBrassWardrobe.com

Lemme know what ya'll think!

Edited June 7, 2012 by Keeleon Ohms

[chancey77]

Those glass bottle holders you make are VERY COOL!

I think you just need to go much deeper with your knife on things like those Arm Cuffs.

It also looks as though you also made the bevel after you oiled them...do those things before you oil.

1/2 the depth of the leather is the proper way and then get some backgrounders and give things like the Sprockets some definition....you have some neat stuff...you are in the right place; we can all help you with some techniques to really get you stepping up in the right direction.

Anyway,

Welcome aboard and reach out to us if you have any questions you can't find in the search.

Keep on Keepin' on!

Chancey

Edited June 7, 2012 by chancey77

[Keeleon Ohms]

Ya, the bottles are my most popular item, and sell really well. It's actually the design that made me get into all this leatherwork in the first place. I would see other people selling similar things and think, "I can do that and for nicer AND cheaper!" Of course now that I've really gotten into the "cheaper" is becoming less possible, simply because man this stuff takes TIME.

I actually DONT oil anything, although the more I'm reading it makes me think I need to start messing with oil. Basically my process is design and cut out of paper, cut out leather, bevel and border, dye, assemble. At what point in that process should I be oiling? I heard someone will mention oil can take the squeak out of layered things rubbing? I also think my dyes and finishes come out kind of "flat". I really like that smooth glossy "supple" look some people have. I've tried resolene and super sheen, and they seem to work alright, but they also seem to want to make it all sticky and leave bubbles that I don't know how to get rid of. I've tried with brushes and sponges. Would oiling have any effect on that? I've heard of waxing too, how does that work? I'm not looking to armour/harden these things, I just want them to have that cool shiny finish some people seem to get.

Those bracers were out of like a 5oz leather and I prefer the look and feel of like 9oz for that kind of piece, I just didn't have any and needed to make something for a show. and that leather gets really ugly when you try and bevel it for some reason. I am definitely gonna start trying out shaders and other things, since I am still brand new to carving. I picked up and read through the Al Stohlman carving tips booklet and I have a better idea of what tools I need. I just wish there were more "steamy" craftaids >.<

I've added a couple more pictures of somethings I've been working on. The mask on the right has a finish I am really happy with, but the one on the left just looks "blech". Is that something that just happens with cheap leather? Or is there a way I can make it "pop" a little more? Pretty much at this point I am just buying whatever the cheapest vegtan Tandy has in stock, although as I'm starting to make money I'm starting to look at nicer vegtans so as to avoid the scratches and other blemishes. But there seems to be a drastic difference in the way the one thinner leather takes the same dye as the thicker leather.

Also, here's some pictures of a steampunk themed Victorian Ball we went to this weekend. I did all of the leatherwork pictured

https://plus.google....=CPOUnrXyktHDGw

Thanks for the feedback!

[ofishil]

Very cool stuff. I like steam punk things

[Cyberthrasher]

I actually DONT oil anything, although the more I'm reading it makes me think I need to start messing with oil. Basically my process is design and cut out of paper, cut out leather, bevel and border, dye, assemble. At what point in that process should I be oiling? I heard someone will mention oil can take the squeak out of layered things rubbing? I also think my dyes and finishes come out kind of "flat". I really like that smooth glossy "supple" look some people have.

I think the best time to oil is after the dye and before your final finish of conditioning. This will also go along with the "Smooth glossy supple look". That look is obtained through rubbing. When you dye things you want to rub it out to get any loose dye pigments off and while doing this you'll add a slight burnish to the leather. Since you'll also be rubbing the oil in, it will really start to shine up after that. Once you're all done, finish it off with a dose of something like Montana Pitch Blend to condition and protect then send it out the door

http://shop.treatleather.com/LeatherDressing4oz.aspx

If my rambling doesn't make sense, someone will clear it up.

Edited June 19, 2012 by Cyberthrasher

[Spinner]

I actually DONT oil anything, although the more I'm reading it makes me think I need to start messing with oil. Basically my process is design and cut out of paper, cut out leather, bevel and border, dye, assemble. At what point in that process should I be oiling? I heard someone will mention oil can take the squeak out of layered things rubbing? I also think my dyes and finishes come out kind of "flat". I really like that smooth glossy "supple" look some people have. I've tried resolene and super sheen, and they seem to work alright, but they also seem to want to make it all sticky and leave bubbles that I don't know how to get rid of. I've tried with brushes and sponges. Would oiling have any effect on that? I've heard of waxing too, how does that work? I'm not looking to armour/harden these things, I just want them to have that cool shiny finish some people seem to get.

Nice looking gear, keep it up!

As for oil, it will do a couple of things. First it will reduce the squeak. It also increases the flexibility of the leather by lubricating the fibers, which also helps keep the leather from drying out prematurely. As for when, I like to oil during dying but depending on the piece and technique will oil before and/or after dying as well. During dying you ask? Yep, I dye mainly black as I cater to the motorcycle industry so I have found that applying my first two coats of dye, letting them set for a few hours, oiling and then applying my third coat of dye produces a nice deep black with excellent dye penetration. On lighter colored leathers I typically oil before I dye, letting the piece set for an hour or so in between so the oil isn't fresh and cause the dye to bleed more than it already wants to. I try not to oil after dying simply because the oil rag wants to pull some of the color with it and I learned my lesson long ago with an oil rag putting the wrong color where I didn't want it.

As for resolene use, I have found that using the soft, lint free polishing cloths from auto parts stores work great. Run it under water for a second, wring it out so it's just slightly damp. Then using a 50/50 mix of resolene & water I apply with the damp cloth in a circular motion, never stopping longer than it takes to re-wet the rag with the reso solution. On multiple color pieces, an airbrush works nicely but to get a soft sheen you want to set your air a little higher and your finish mix lower. Apply 3-4 very thin coats letting them tack up in between. If you use a standard air/solution mix (similar to an aerosol can) you'll get the harder/shinier finish that resolene is typically know for.

Hope that helps!

Chris