bison

I agree with Jordan...lay it on a solid surface and keep as little of the leather hanging over as possible. I use a curved plastic burnisher that's grooved for thin leather, and it doesn't take much to get a nice edge. Be careful of overdoing it. Dave

Depending on what you're looking for, you could do a Google image search on "kitty silhouette" and adapt something from there. Good luck! Dave

I use a paper press I made a few years ago when I was making paper for hand-made books. It's just two pieces of 3/4 inch plywood with four 6" bolts on each corner. I layer two pieces of card board, then foam board, heavy plastic, the leather, the leaves, heavy plastic, foam board again, cardboard again and then put it all in the press. Tighten it with wing nuts on the bolts and let sit. It works pretty well for me. Dave

I posted this on the Dye forum earlier, but thought I'd give a general shout out to the experts out there to see if anyone has any thought so a possible fix. I need some help! I'm working on this for my son-in-law for a Christmas gift. I got the dye done and let it dry, applied two thin coats of Clear-lac, let it dry, then antiqued with eco-flow medium brown gel antique. I've never had trouble like this before. The only word I can think of is "splotchy". It looks like it dried, or soaked through the Clear-lac, or...? Is there any way to take it off? If not, what other suggestions do you all have? I'd hate to start over on this piece, but I will if that's the only way. I should say this leather has given me fits all along. It was hard to work and "fuzzed' on me in places. Anyway, I appreciate the help. Dave

Thanks Terry. I figure I'll send this over to the "Conversation" forum too, then, if nothing else, I'll try to strip it down and see what happens.

Judging from the other replies, you're right on. Now I have to figure out what to do with it! No AC, no fan, no heater. Humidity was low, don't know if that could be a factor. Terry, I've come around to your way of thinking! Were you able to save any of those pieces, or did you have to start over?

I need some help! I'm working on this for my son-in-law for a Christmas gift. I got the dye done and let it dry, applied two thin coats of Clear-lac, let it dry, then antiqued with eco-flow medium brown gel antique. I've never had trouble like this before. The only word I can think of is "splotchy". It looks like it dried, or soaked through the Clear-lac, or...? Is there any way to take it off? If not, what other suggestions do you all have? I'd hate to start over on this piece, but I will if that's the only way. I should say this leather has given me fits all along. It was hard to work and "fuzzed' on me in places. Anyway, I appreciate the help. Dave

Thanks Mike. I appreciate the advise from a "learned lesson"!

Thank you my friend. Sounds like it may be a bit tricky!

I've finished a leather planner/notebook cover and the customer wants to know if I can now stamp initials on it. Not sure how that would work. Anyone out there ever done that? If so, how'd you do it? How'd it turn out? Attached is an image of the piece. I sure appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks Charlie. There's Army and Marines there...now just have to find the others! I appreciate you finding this. David

Does anyone know if there are US Military Craftaids or something similar out there? I'm making a leather notebook cover for my son-in-law and want to carve his service branch emblem on it (USAF), and plan on making more for sale later on for all the other branches. I can draw up my own, but really like the durability of the craftaids. Thanks, David