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Cerise357

Project, Hair Clips

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I've been making hair clips with shrink plastic (pic of one)

the material has some limitations and lot of steps.... occurred to me, painting on leather might work

Leather wouldn't snap with careless use and I could curve (shape) them to a shape shrink won't handle without breaking and the attachment could be done with stitching rather than a wire that creates a catch for hair

But... it has been a long time since I have done any leather work... lots in high school, purses, wallets, I was great a tooling... lots of tack and bridle repair once upon a time (Tandy in neighborhood, that long ago)

so... advice please

thinking of using Lumiere paints, using permanent pens for outline

if the metallic paints work it would be fantastic (the clear coating on shrink plastic ruins the effects of metallic, would sealing leather do the same thing?), can I blend colors on leather?

Can I iron on a transfer of some kind?

I need to select a leather that is not finished (something that will absorb the paint) and preferably white

and not too expensive to start with, and maybe a source for scraps to practice on with paints first too

I have no idea what thickness, I want it to have some body (not be flapping around) but soft enough to not be uncomfortable (the shrink butterflies really dig into the scalp against a headrest)

and keeping them light (for fine hair) so I could make them bigger would be good

and be able to shape a small curve to them.... like )( a gentle curve

before or after painting?

And I need a source of materials (I want to start with a smaller piece than an entire hide, a couple feet)

ordering on the internet is intimating, though even when tandy was in the neighborhood they were not very well stocked

I imagine I need to seal them, seal the paint afterwards...

will hairspray damage the paints and finish? People will do that even when you warn them to not spray the clips...

I can drill holes in the clips or stitch around the standard bar type barrette.... do I need a special thread? a waxed heavy thread?

and a good basic book

I can swing an exacto knife but... the best way to cut? Looked into a few books in library, most are about cutting large strips and squares not curve shapes... or about stitching precut pieces together

I'm sure there are things I have not considered....

or, is it not going to work the way I am imagining?

I've had some ask about making flowers to clip on shoes and sandals.... I was playing with fabric and plastic coating, not very satisfactory....I think leather would work for that too

post-33059-069848300 1342112189_thumb.jp

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if the metallic paints work it would be fantastic (the clear coating on shrink plastic ruins the effects of metallic, would sealing leather do the same thing?), can I blend colors on leather?

Yes, you can seal the paint on the leather and you can blend the colors also but thinning the paint prior to applying it and using more than one layer usually works best.

If you don't want colors to run spraying the sealer works.

Can I iron on a transfer of some kind?

Maybe but it's most likely going to peel or crack over time.

I need to select a leather that is not finished (something that will absorb the paint) and preferably white

and not too expensive to start with, and maybe a source for scraps to practice on with paints first too

You can buy scraps of smooth veg tanned leather, natural untreated leather will absorb paint better.

I have no idea what thickness,

4 to 5 oz. leather should be about right.

And I need a source of materials (I want to start with a smaller piece than an entire hide, a couple feet)

You can buy small quantities from the advertisers here.

I imagine I need to seal them, seal the paint afterwards...

I would suggest using paint and sealers that are compatible with each other and are suited to working on leather, your leather supplier can help provide you with the proper paint and sealer.

Phone them and they'll sell you what you need.

I can drill holes in the clips or stitch around the standard bar type barrette.... do I need a special thread? a waxed heavy thread?

You can use adhesive or waxed thread.

When stitching leather, you punch a hole in the leather with an awl and stitch using needles designed for waxed thread.

I can swing an exacto knife but... the best way to cut?

This works well, keep the blade sharp.

is it not going to work the way I am imagining?

It will work, there will be some trial and error.

I've had some ask about making flowers to clip on shoes and sandals.... I was playing with fabric and plastic coating, not very satisfactory....I think leather would work for that too

There are some very talented people here making flowers from leather, just do a search.

Good luck!

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Thank you, that helps very much

I found a few sites making/painting masks, very similar to what I was picturing

I'm probably going to need to order the leather online

nothing local....

do you have a seller you really like?

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I usually deal with Tandy or Springfield, Springfield is a sponsor here.

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