Jaymack

Great idea. Thanks for sharing.

they are awesome

Well done. Thanks for sharing

Leb, When I was getting my setup started, I went to 2 places to get some granite/marble: The first was a custom kitchen countertop shop. I asked to buy the section where they cut out the opening for the sink. He gave me a beautiful 1 inch thick piece for free. I also went to a local grave stone maker and asked if he had any broken pieces. He had a smaller stone where he had made a mistake and he gave it to me at no cost as well. It is 4 inches thick and I use it when I need to punch holes in leather. Once I got a little better at tooling I made both of them a checkbook cover, and by coincidence had a deer's head carved into it! They were both thrilled. John

Looks like a good start. Everything that you say your are doing all makes sense to me. I have one of Paul's lessons on carving a Kestrel. I learned a lot from it. I almost always go over my beveling more than once to remove any tooling marks and lines. I suggest to use as wide of a beveler as you can and to use the smaller ones for tight areas and curves. In Paul's Kestrel lesson he explains how to modify some of the tools for the lesson. My first question is, what are you using as a base to do your carving and tooling? Make sure it is solid and use a piece of smooth marble or granite. The fact that you found this website tells me you are on the right track. I have learned most everything that I know from this excellent site. I spent a long time lurking/learning before I started into leatherwork. I'm still lurking and learning. John

I got my kids Moccasin kits from Tandy for Christmas when they were younger. They had fun putting them together and they wore them like slippers in the winter months.

Great work. Nice a clean.

Thanks Wild Bill. I did find a video that Kevin of Springfield leather has on Youtube called "Dead Ending a Double Loop Stitch".

Can I double loop lace when I'm not lacing completely around the project? How do you begin and end? I'm looking for a tutorial with pictures. I'm making some Key fob chains. Thanks for your help! John

Very nice

I'm looking for some half decent 2-3 oz veg tan leather for wallets that won't break the bank. Suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks, John

I just got an arbor press and was able to try the Spartan stamp Ron made for me. It is awesome!

Great work!

I understand your dilemma. My solution is to first cut the shape of the leather and tool the front side. I sew rivet on any part such as the belt loop or other straps. I then align and contact cement all parts together including the welts. Once the glue has dried, I sand the edges. I use this edge for my stitch groover. I am also interested in what others do.

My company is called Spartan Structures. Do you have anything that looks like a Spartan, Roman, Gladiator helmet?

Petroleum as well as petroleum jelly (Vaseline) will deteriorate leather.

Make sure that there are no petroleum products in the glaze.

I am in the process of learning this too. I've read that Angelus leather paint works. It's basically an acrylic paint.

+1 for what Monica said.

Nice job!

I have nothing but good things to say about Steckstore.

You don't place the stamp end to end, you overlap a basketweave stamp. I think there's a tutorial or two on the site somewhere. I really like the color. What did you dye it with?

Ozzy had never looked so good!

I have 4 Barry King tools that I don't use that I would like to sell all together. A Modeling Spoon, #2 Lined Petal Border, #2 Seashell Geometric, and a #2 Seashell Filler Geometric. All tools are in great condition and only used a couple times. All for $100 plus $7 for priority mail shipping. Paypal only, Shipping to the continental US only. You can email me at jaymack966@yahoo.com Thanks, John

Beautiful!