robs456

I got mine from Tandy, I think they still sell them.

They probably used a flat edger or a French edger. +1 on the rest.

That's for connecting the flux capacitor to the DeLorean, they're just using it wrong.

That's the people not caring to learn things right and just wings it. They want to make a cool 'thing' but it comes out looking crap and then they don't see that their skills are lacking, no of course that's how it's SUPPOSED to look 'cos it's handmade.... I do my best to do things the right way and for me handmade means that I have better 'control' of the product and can make it a little bit 'extra', even if that takes more time. I can't charge extra for that time though, but I will charge more due to the better quality. If that makes sense...

Thanks. Yeah, I use an eraser to remove the pieces that won't brush off, and I'll try the talcum powder method next time.

Thanks for explaining. Do you do anything so that the gold doesn't get stuck all over the bracelet, like powder it or such?

Finally someone else that does gold leaf! I had to abandon it for paint on my last project, could you tell me your process, please? The gold leaf looks a bit scratched or brushed in the pic, is that for effect or natural?. Any info you can give is appreciated. Also, I like the way you incorporated the GL in your design, looks good.

Sounds like too much work, sell the truck before the battery runs out instead...

Nice one, I like the 'double border'.

For weathering, why not try to weather the leather? I usually don't weather leather but if I were to weather leather I would try to simulate the effects of weather on the leather. Like: Hit it with a (bike) chain Baseball bat? Definitely run it over with a car Put it on the sidewalk and jump on it Scuff it with sandpaper Dunk it in water Sear it with a torch? Etc. This will give it an authentic weathered, used, worn and torn wasteland/fantasy look.

For starters, consistency in exit hole size. And for those that hammer the chisel all through to the prongs: there are times the exit hole should be smaller, so I'll add flexibility as well. In hole size too, though you can always get another size chisel I guess. Then there's the other stuff like angles etc, and the more custom thingies like cylinders.

This is what I do. Though I jokingly tag my insta-pics with #nostitchingchisel I do use it for marking. But nowadays always use the awl for piercing, because of results mainly. Stitching chisels can be good for beginners, I started with awl only, then wanted to 'quickly improve' my stitching in the way I saw all the Japanese guys on YT and IG doing so got me some chisels. They improved things but after using them for a while I saw I didn't like the end result, even after trying many different ways of using them. So I went back to the awl and practiced, something I hear people can't be bothered with nowadays, but kept the chisel for marking.

Yes. Massive. Angelus and Jacquard are my go to paints at the moment. You can try other 'art paints' but they're too thick. If you do, thin them as much as you possibly can.

Kinda like this idiot guy...

Thanks, I've been researching a bit and figure that a lot of leather armor actually was made the same way as the metal scale armor. (Especially in the Asian cultures.) So this piece is looking real good.

Just messin'. Of course no one would do that for armor, the pieces would be cut and pierced and would have to be replaced all the time. At least that's a good story if anyone else mentions it.... On a serious note, do you know if this kind of armor was made out of leather back in the day, or if the ancients used metal scale only?

So uh, I noticed you didn't burnish the edges of the scales... Naw man, awesome work! Do you take it apart for storage or do you use an armor stand?

Just mix some Saddle soap into a bowl of water. It might not be fancy but it works.

You wouldn't be the first nor the last. That's why you can find "leather" bracelets on AliExpress for like $0.68....

Most of us do Keep handing out the stuff, it's the best form of marketing. However, don't sell stuff for the cost of materials only, 'cos that will give the general leather product buying public the idea that that is what a product is worth and ruins it for all the rest of us. Now I don't think you would do this, just giving hints to other people who might read this down the line.

Do this: 1. State the total amount of materials used, down to the ml of dye used. 2. State how many hours it took. 3. State how much your time per hour is worth. Multiply #2 with #3 and add #1. That will give you the total COST of making the item. Now add the profit you want to make, for the PRICE of the item. You may find that the price you came up with is too steep (I do all the time..). Then: Figure out who you want to sell to. Can and WILL they pay what you want? If so, market to them. Are they in another country? Sell via internet. If you can't, you may have to adjust your price. You can change your profit margin for sure, and perhaps your rate/hour, but not the material cost. Well you can, for future items, by procuring lesser quality materials, which is done all the time by manufacturers. But personally as a craftsman and an artist I rather work with the best materials I can get my hands on and then see if there's a customer out there that also appreciates top notch quality. In these days of AliExpress and Wish the waiting time can be long sometimes...

Yup, I've heard that too.

Funny, I have that one too. If you have done a few projects already the pictures alone is enough to give you a good idea of what's happening. But if you're completely new you may have problems following along.

Ok cool, I thought perhaps it was an ancient Greek stylistic thing...

Beautiful. What will you do with it? The girl to the right, is she yelling? I don't get it...