ETW Grumpy

I lucked into a copy on e-bay for $59. Can't wait to get it.

Add me to the list please.

Welcome. Those pieces all look really nice. I think you've got an aged look going on that gun rig. How'd you do it?

That is too cool! I love how the one tooth hangs over the edge. Neat little detail. Good work.

That's a really cool design. Never seen anything like that. I'm about to buy some thinner leather so I can make a 3 finger for my herfing enjoyment. Keep 'em coming.

Is that one gonna get colored or is it done? I didn't know Ohio was Bandidos country.

All I was saying about the hand stitching aspect was that the ad says, "All tops are hand-stitched, unlike many local Texas cowboy bootmakers using an embroidery top stitcher from a factories, and then adding one row of their own sewing. But my boots are 100% hand-sewn on a traditional Singer 31-15 with a wheel foot." That, to me, means they are machine stitched. Not that there's anything wrong with machine stitching, I'm not saying that. I just think that if they are not done in the traditional saddle stitch method or some variance of that, then they are not handsewn. I was basically thinking out loud when I posted earlier. I could not reproduce the man's workmanship. He's doing some really great work. Kevin, I don't have a sewing machine, so I have to guide my stitches with the alleged brain the good Lord blessed me with. lol

You must be a natural. Your design is great, your pieces are clean and functional as well as pleasing to the eye. Your stitching is top notch. I would suggest using a stitching groover. From the pictures posted, it looks like you didn't. Might just be my eyes, though. I like the little hinge/gusset at the fold. I would also like to know what goes into construction of one of these little beauties. What weight leather is this? Thanks for posting.

Man, that looks great! I'm glad you decided to color it. Looks much better than leaving it natural. A beautiful piece of art.

Hey Ryan, good to see you here. Great looking stuff as always.

Air Force myself. USAF Security Police. I like the idea of picking up the tab for a GI eating out. Good idea for a seat Shirley. Looking forward to seeing that one done.

Man, your work looks really cool. I love the way the colors are incorporated. Are they acyrilic (sp)? Your website is looking good as well and reflects the work ethic that we would all love to see more of.

Good looking work. Looks like you have inherited some of your mum's talent. Keep it up.

Very cool looking skulls. Nice job coloring it, too.

That Leather Secrets book, when you can find it, runs between $150-$200. Do an Internet search for it, but good luck. Tandy has a book called Leather Art by F.O. Baird, which is a good thing but not the same as the one you have. http://www.antiqbook.com/boox/hyd/25913.shtml http://www.pocketsworld.com/LEATHER-SECRET...809,c29223.html Hope this helps.

If you do one with colors on it, do what Swede said and use a fine brush, but also have a piece of scrap with the flesh side up so you can touch your brush to it after you dip it into the dye, but before you touch the piece you're working on. Soaks up the excess and keeps you from having a runaway blotch on your good piece. My .02 worth.

Man, that is some awesome work. Very well done.

Pretty deep stuff bro. Really nice. I love the way the feathers look. The fade out is great.

Very nice multi use pouch Steve. I like that color. How does one get that particular shade ?

Happy Birthday, brother.

Give ya a buck for it.

Since you are both making bags, I will ask this question here. I want to make a messenger or attache type bag for my wife. I see from this thread that you guys are using bridle leather for the bags. Is this the same thing as latigo? If not, do I need to buy bridle leather or harness leather, or is there a difference? Any light you can shed would be very helpful.

That is a very nice piece. He will be proud to have that one.

My wife picked up some Rubbermaid totes kinda like that with lids at Target.

It doesn't look like waxed linen. Did you make the band in the bottom picture? If so, you might with a smaller thickness and run a stitching channel on the next one you make. It looks like that thread may have also picked up some of the dye/stain used on the strap. Without more details, it would be hard to make an intelligent (or as close as I'm going to get to intelligent) assessment. Good looking work, though.