Tinneal

That one is even nicer than the other two!! Simply amazing!! I am going to be making a bible cover for my uncle, sometime in the future. I think I may make the front similar to your third one, if you don't mind?

Those are beautiful! I love the stitching, and the colour on both of them. What kind of leather did you use on the second one? I love the contrast of the two textures. I would also like to know how you achieved the two-tone colour effect.

I applied it straight from the bottle and with a wool dauber. Obviously not the best method, judging by your suggestion! It dried overnight and was still quite sticky this morning... I just finished using some deglazer on it, and although the finish is now a bit streaky, it's become more of a matte finish than the ragged gloss it was previously. It still doesn't look professional, but compared to what it was, I'm very happy! I was almost to the point of wanting to totally redo the project. Thank you very much for replying. I will remember your suggestion of how to apply it. What ratio do you use for mixing it with water?

Wow! I REALLY like the checker/chess board! Everything else is beautiful too!

Oh! I have to add all these notes to my book tomorrow! Thanks everyone!

If only I had extra cash sitting around!!

I used Fiebing's acrylic resolene over some oil dye, and it seems to have dried, but it remains sticky! I don't know if it needs more time, or if I put it on too thick? Either way, I'm hoping there's something I can do to fix it! Any suggestions? Please help!

Beautiful!! Is that all leather? Or is there something else in between the layers to add rigidity?

Thank you! I got the idea for the brown one from a pillow I saw.

Ha! Unfortunately we only get to interact with real cattle about once a month. The rest of the time is just paper and lectures and videos. But there are plenty of herds back home!

That helps plenty! Thanks a lot. I took note of what you said and wrote it in a notebook so i can refer to it later. I can do everything you suggested, except for the part about using a blow torch. I'm limited, being in this apartment for the time being, but next time I'm out at the boyfriends parents place, I'll try to do some there.

The first one was made for a friend in the Netherlands. She specified only that it be "zombie themed". This is what I came up with, and she was quite happy! The second one was made for a friend to give to her boyfriend as a gift. She said to just make something that I thought would suit him.

Those hides have a lot of stretch to them, and very little rigidity. I wouldn't use them for suspenders or belts. I keep buying them when they're on sale, and I use them to make gussets for bags, or entire bags, liners for horse tack or other things. I've also made matching chap / vest sets.

The only bison leather I've handled is what is at my local Tandy. It is only a 3/4 oz weight, and extremely soft and supple. Beautiful for bags and such, but Im not sure that it would be thick enough for a saddle... But I suppose it depends who tans it. If you would be taking the hides to a tannery, I'd suggest asking them.

You've opened my eyes to vinagaroon dyes! I've just set up a jar and put it in the pantry, and took notes on your methods. I have a few questions, though, if you wouldn't mind answering them for me. How do I apply it once its ready? Do i use a wool dauber just as I would with any dye? If I was casing the leather to be formed around something, should it be 'dyed' before or after casing? Should I be wearing gloves or is there any sort of precautions I should take when handling it? Does the leather need extra treatments of oils or conditioners, and when would be the best time to apply them? I also added "Mop & Glo" to the grocery list! Can you apply it with a rag? Or does it need to be applied with an airbrush? Thank you!!

Those look very interesting! If you end up getting a pattern made up, I'd love a copy... Although I could probably figure it out myself!

Looks great! It'll look even better after it gets worn in from use!

Looks great! Desk sets like this are on my ever-growing list of things I want to make! I agree with the above posts that you should include some close up pictures of the tooling for us to admire. How hard is the leather in the middle? would you ever be concerned of pen dents from writing on a single piece of paper? Or is it just better to have a clipboard or binder or another hard surface behind the paper?

Ha! That made me laugh! I'm excited to try that trick, now, although since I live in Manitoba, I won't be seeing much asphalt until May. But I may try getting creative with what I have around my apartment!

Looks awesome! What did you do to achieve that dented, spotty look?

Oh! Sorry. I guess I was a little quick on the draw with that question. I would assume it just another place to rest the leather without it getting mared? I look forward to the Rob's reply.

It reduces the chance of the jaws leaving marks on the leather.

Awesome work!! Wonderful! I've saved the pictures into my inspiration folder! I want to give this a try!

Wow! That's amazing! I'm trading some leatherwork for a friend to built me the stitching pony from the AS book. We're getting together sometime in the next few weeks, and I'm going to be asking for the shelves, based on your idea!! That's wonderful!