JLSleather

Not to say the site is good or bad, just another angle ... We quit Etsy because we just couldn't see our leather 'showcased' along side of jewelry and t-shirts.

I'm usually not a fan of straight black, but I gotta say that JUST what the sidearm needed! Looking good!

You're welcome These images were chosen because: 1) the first is the maple leaf you are doing. 2) the first pic shows a smooth shader and a depressed background, the second shows a 'checked' shader and a tapered background Here's one more with the maple shaded with a 'checked' shader (old Stohlman design).

I've seen some kits containing good leather, others it was easy to see why they hid it in a box! As a rule, even if you find good leather in them, they are priced way too high. But that's also true at "suppliers", you get more bang for the buck buying larger pieces and cutting your own. The kit you show is priced at $15 plus shipping. At most suppliers, you can get decent leather to make 18-20 belt straps for the price of 4 of those kits.

Fix the machine ... replace the girl.

Handy! Wouldn't work for me, though - I'd see that box and think fishin', and then there goes the leather work ...

I see what you mean about the oil darkening, but truth is these look NICE

Actuallly, the point of "custom" is you're not doing what everybody else is doing - That's actually some carefully placed color, so you must have a pretty steady hand! Looks like you tried to 'buff out' the "oops", which only makes it more obvious. Oil, antique, and such, will only magnify this area, so I'd color it (or tool that area further). I personally like pale color more than heavy shades, but like I said that's preference (and I NEVER use any 'antique').

Keep in mind the tools listed on your craftaids are "suggested" tools. Remember that Craftool makes craftaids AND craftool stamps, so if "they" can show you something done with craftools they may sell more craftools! (I use craftools myself). Bottom line, you'll likely want a "shader" or a thumbprint" (depending on the brand) to form the rough contour of the leaves. Checked bevelers 'burnish' a bit more than smooth ones, so personal preference (Pic 1) On something the size of a book cover, I prefer to use a coarse backgrounder around the design to set it apart rather than matting the entire area (pic 2) Hope this helps ...!

I'm not a fan of Tandy tools (don't be naive, some of the tools you buy elsewhere came from Tandy), but I get wholesale pricing just for having a registered business in Iowa (no membership fee). I buy quite a bit of leather there, but only if I can get there to pick it out myself. There Royal Meadow 3/4 oz is nearly flawless in a 22-25 foot side, carves well, and dyes just as nicely. It's a bit more 'blonde' than the 'russet' color you get lots of places, but I LIKE the pale color (lets me get more color combinations). Dyes, finishes, adhesives, and most linings I get from S-T Leather out of St Louis.

I get ALL my lining leathers and spirit dyes from there, contact cement (their kidsksin makes a great looking liner - and strong - at LESS money than other suppliers charge for cheap junk). I have a spreadsheet I just fill in with what I need and send in an email, never any problems. First order from them in1985, and never a problem.

No time to photo today, but this is pretty simple anyway. I may have mentioned, this takes some lining leather, a shears, a knife, some type of punch, and contact cement (you could use rubber cement, preference). And all the pattern pieces. So, I usually dig the stuff out, make (at least) 10 liners, and set them off to the side for when I need them. Course, that doesn't help when you get somebody who wants ONE wallet lined with some other color ...

Sorry this is taking me so long folks At one time, I had a .pdf file in the computer that showed the pieces full size and also how to go about it. No longer in there. &$%&@#%@ Not a problem, just re-write, and once it's all in there anyone that wants it can have a copy. Just print it out, cut out the paper patterns (or make longer lasting ones). THEORY is that if the pattern ever wears out, you just print another one. I say "THEORY" because that only works if you make sure it's been kept on the computer Fortunately, I got my nose rubbed in it early enough to avoid an issue! Working on it ... not so very far ott.

I'm guessing this was already cracked and just wasn't visible until the bending. The bend isn't that sharp, and even dry as a bone I can't see THAT bend causing a crack. Personally, I'd ask the store if this is the type of thing they want to advertise. Guy at the Tandy may not have even known about it himself, but they should be willing to replace it. With a replacement, you're still out the time invested. But that's the way I'd go, instead of being out that time, plus the time of repairing, and then still having the crack in the grain. I'd ask the store to replace it and start over. Just my OP.

I still cut them from patterns I got somewhere in the 70's. Made to suit the standard wallet back. I usually cut them from 2 oz calf or goat. I'm including a photo of one of these 'installed'. This particular style is in brown goatskin with the removable photo case. Inexpensive to make. I usually just take a day every so often to cut and glue 10-20 of them so they're ready to go when needed. Send me a message if this is the style you were considering, and I'll send you the pattern. Oh, yeah .. it fits this type of wallet ...

Oil is not a "sealer" so it won't keep further treatments from penetrating. No problem. Some folks actually prefer to oil before dye.

These bags were done to show colors available (seems it's easier for some to say 'I want mine this color red', or whatever), and to display the style of the bag. They are deliberately NOT so very detailed. For inspiration and some REAL leather coloring, I recommend Anet's work!

Looks like a pretty steady hand! Attaching a couple of designs that were painted [only], no tooling. These were done with a fairly inexpensive airbrush and some practice.

Long as it's firm leather, you can use it for "plugs" for embossing leather. When I use it to test dye colors (which I do) I make a point of using a "scrap" from the same hide as the project is coming from (yeah, it matters). I always seem to end up with a bit much, though. Fella down the street came by about a week ago and picked up a box of scrap - probably 12-15 pounds - for free. While I use it, there's only so much room in my 12 x 26 shop, and eventually it's not worth the cost of the "scrap" to have it taking up space. That said, this guy makes knife sheaths, belt bags/pouches, small holsters, etc. Seems a bit wasteful (I'm still looking over my shoulder in case my wife has the broom) but I know if I get behind this [really decent] fella would stitch up some stuff for me if I asked, so it all works out.

Nice looking leather. Even more important, it's always good to see a fella DOING what he's SAYING (James 2:16)

This didn't need to be difficult, and I don't know why it got that way. At any rate, if you have already spoken for something and would still like to get it, feel free to send me a message. Beyond that, please consider this entire topic now closed and the remainder of the items in it no longer available.

Skirting and kangaroo lace gone. Still have 4/5 oz tooling, 6/7 oz tooling, some 3/32" calf lace, 1 1/2 -2 oz burgundy calf (chrome tanned), a couple more finished wallets, a couple of tooling leather handbags cut out but never done (so, basically the leather for a "kit"), ... still looking, and cleaning ....

I THINK I got back to everyone who messaged. If I missed you, just send me a borderline rude note as a reminder Got a few people deciding just what they need, so I'll give 'em some time. Then I'll just list some stuff, first come first served. I suppose I could have done that first, but I hate to cut leather and THEN find out they need a bit larger chunk! Also have some finished projects that will be listed for not much more than the material cost (i have a few - not enough to make it worth the craft show, and too many for my ONE brother in law). At $25 apiece, you can throw them on the counter at the craft fair, gift box them for your nephews, or use them to light your cigar The two below are available, and I have a few other small items that can go out of here. The leather I'm sending is the same leather that made the projects, so I think you can see that it carves and colors just fine ...

Yeah, I don't know RTC, either .. but tha's a nice lookin' belt

I'm off to dinner, but keep checking over the next few days ... this is only a start (considerably more). Got some duplicates of the NON-perishable, too ... books,buckles, that type of thing, so ask away.