vector Report post Posted March 13, 2009 HI all, Ok just getting things straight in my mind. I have decided my first project to be a wrist bracelet. I have a piece of belt leather that is now 3mm thick,18mm wide and 205mm long. Im going to lace a length of stainless steel cable to its centre (cause I can I have already made this piece up complete with magnetic catch. The idea being that along with a molded? ie shaped to my wrist leather and the springy cable and the catch should be plenty to hold it in place on my wrist. I didnt want press studs and need to get it on and off lots due to work As yet I have not finalised the lace pattern and the stamping ideas. But I wanted to get the proceduer sure in mind b4 proceeding any further. Procedure: Measure n cut leather--done Bevel edges Slicker wheel edges Punch lace slots To groove or not to groove (see Q1) Apply stamps and design work Apply coffee stain using a cup which is about same dia as my wrist. Empty stain and leave to dry curled in cup thus molding it into wrist shape.? Neatsfoot oil. Sealer ?Q2 Lace in SS band. Q1)now Im not sure whether to groove out a slot in the centre for the cable to run down or just let it lie laced to the top. or simple vise press it into the leather to give it a sunken look. Q2) Now what exactly do I use here. Being on my wrist it will get a fair amount of sweat etc so what should I use to seal the leather best. Righto, What have I missed or missunderstood or is it time to pack my bags and go home Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vector Report post Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) Right done and on the wrist for about a week. info for those interested. 3mm SS cable. Clasp: silver plated ferrules with press fit magnets stolen from those magnetic notice board thingos. Cable araldite glued into ferrule. I unfortunately marked the left sided ferule whilst tooling them:( Inscription: Top line-Cirth-Angerthas Erebor . Bottom line Runes Futhark symbols. What does it say? Im not telling Font tool made with a ground down bolt to from a 2mm blunt chisel head. I did have little twirls on the which stamped in nice but kind of got lost in all the post tooling. The boarder can only just be seen. I did it too close to the edge of the leather shame because once again it looked great when first stamped. Colouring was red with a brown topping. I played at getting a patchy "used" look. Antique was not used, all done by the way I applied the dye. I still have lots to learn. I should have made a smaller font tool to do the shorter runes bits rather than trying to use the tool on edge. The leather edging need more work. I made a wooden burnisher for the dremmel which need more slicking up time. The cable was semi sunk into the leather, this has caused a slight turning up of the edges. Worse at both ends. I might trim these to rounded rather than square. I guestimated the length wrong by about 5 mm. I thought Id taken leather stretch, cable and lacing into account but its not quite loose. Magnetic clasp works well but in hindsight is not necessary, the leather and cable is quite capable of holding the shape. I think I would have used a nicer lacing style but was mindful of it detracting from the runes. Edited March 31, 2009 by vector Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mendedbowl Report post Posted March 31, 2009 interesting design style for a first project i like the color hope you enjoyed constructing that bracelet enough to continue learning and improving. there are lots of talented people who post here in LW...you can learn lots from them...i know i have. ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vector Report post Posted March 31, 2009 interesting design style for a first projecti like the color hope you enjoyed constructing that bracelet enough to continue learning and improving. there are lots of talented people who post here in LW...you can learn lots from them...i know i have. ken Thanks ken, I did learn heaps, constructing and reading the many posts on here. I tend to attack or learn on multiple fronts,,probably too many but it comes good in the end. I must say this piece has grown on me I wasn't happy with it at first but now its all good. I have plenty of other projects to tackle next, including bracers and quivers, knife sheaths and a bible cover. thanks for the note of support Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Cool bracer and innovative design!! You did good for your first piece. Skill will come naturally with practice and it is good to hear that you attack and study on multiple fronts. Slicking edges is very good to know about when dealing with bracers I think, off course for most other things too but bracers is a thing wich people tend to study a bit closer IMHO so I focus alot on getting good edges. Most times I use an edge beveler to make the edges nice and rounded too. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryankim3612 Report post Posted January 3, 2013 Great piece of art/jewelry! That thing is a "forever" gift!! I am sooooooooo gonna try that some day........YOU ROC! Thank you for sharing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shannon porter Report post Posted March 10, 2013 Way cool! I'm wanting to try some type of cuff myself. I love seeing what talented minds create! Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
