abn

Thanks! It's a fairly thin leather -- 4-5 oz. -- so I used the smaller Line 20 snaps. So far, everyone who's been interested in this color has been female. Personally, I've always preferred traditional browns and tans, but there's something about the red that gets the ladies' attention...

Qué bueno que nos hayas encontrado, Fernanda. We love to welcome new members, and I may be mistaken, but I think you're our first Argentine. One link your friend's father may be interested in is Sojourner Leatherwork: http://sojournerleather.com/workbench/ This couple spent some time in Cafayate learning how to do "cincelado" stamping. They make really beautiful notebook covers using Argentine leatherwork as their inspiration. Welcome... It's great to have you here! Regards, -Alex

A while back, I bought a bottle of Eco-Flo Scarlet leather dye. I wanted to try it out on a bookmark to see how it looked. I ended up liking the deep red shade, and apparently so did several other folks. Most of my recent projects have been requested in this color. So, for your viewing pleasure, here are more red leather items than you ever wanted to see on a single page. Hope you like 'em. (And thank goodness my next project has been requested in a different color!) -Alex

Please do post those new projects, Dave. We're really interested in seeing what you put together! -Alex

Love that two-tone color scheme, and the rich brown color is spectacular. Thanks for sharing, Jack. -Alex

Thanks, S.T. -- I've really enjoyed seeing your work, too. A case that you posted a few months ago provided the inspiration for this project.

Dave, I love the pic you posted. I hope you post some more, and if you have the gumption, perhaps even a tutorial on how to do coverage stamping. There are only a few of us here that refuse to pick up a swivel knife, and we'd greatly appreciate some lessons or examples of creative stamping. Best regards (and welcome!), -Alex

Good to have you here!

I think this is the neatest thing I've seen posted here in a long time. Way to go!

That's some seriously fine work. You know you've arrived as a leatherworker when folks like me look at your work and know right away it's custom... Because no machine could duplicate such quality work. Congrats, -Alex

Thanks for all the kind words. They're appreciated! We think alike. I considered a second belt loop, but I mocked up this design and found it carried nicely with a single loop. It stays close to the body, but has enough flexibility to shift when you sit in a vehicle, etc. I decided to stop while I was ahead...

Ah, good question. Probably because I'm lazy. I leave horizontal stamping off of the front flap so I can size it and fit the snaps at the very end. I like a nice, tight fit over the weather flaps, and don't want to worry about working around (or trimming off) decoration. Helps me keep my sanity at the very end of the project...

Here's a belt pack I recently completed. Its external dimensions are 14cm x 11cm x 3cm with just enough space for any sort of day trip essentials, like a map, pocket knife, compass, etc. It features weather flaps, an interior pocket, and a reinforced bottom for carrying heavier items. Construction is 4-5 oz. tooling leather colored using Eco-Flo leather dyes. (The dye is a 50-50 mix of Java Brown and Dark Mahogany.) The finish is Satin Shene, and the seams are hand-stitched. The stamping pattern is "borrowed" from a beautiful belt that Singteck posted a while back. Anyway, enough intro... Here are the pics! Questions and comments are certainly welcomed. Regards, -Alex

That's one heckuva nice combo. Congrats! Now that you've whet our appetites, we expect more pics of future projects! Nice job! -Alex

Greg, welcome to Leatherworker.net. You'll find a lot of good reading here online, but if you're interested in books, then Tandy Leather Factory has a whole bunch of them. It might help to know what kind of leatherwork you're interested in, for example, belts or motorcycle seats or holsters... Thanks for the introduction! Regards, -Alex

The biggest problem for me related to a messy workspace is not trying to find tools, but rather the consequences of having everything all over the table. Little stuff like the awl rolls off of the table and sticks in your leg. Or you set your project down in a dye drop. Or you try to clear yourself up some space and your brand new stamp rolls off the table onto the concrete floor. How about putting your elbow in the glue? All of these unfortunate events have happened to me at one time or another. And those kinds of distractions just drive me nuts! I'd just rather have things neat and tidy so I'm not worried about the clutter and its potential negative effect on my sanity...

I've never applied antique, but I saw this blog post the other day. Maybe some useful information? http://www.johan-potgieter.com/leatherlearn/?p=22

Woof. It pains me to even look at that workspace, Tina. I'd have to start cleaning it up immediately.

Whoa, I could never work like that. I'm a real neat-freak, to the point of vacuuming my workbench after every use and storing every tool in its "right place." You'd never even know I did any work there unless you actually caught me working!

Whoo, that is nice. Keep posting those pics, my friend! -Alex

Congratulations! That's great news.

Outstanding!

Really nice job! -Alex

I hand-stitch everything I make, BUT I only make small stuff like wallets. I have to give props to anyone who does it on large projects like a belt or a holster. It's not necessarily that hard, it's just so darned boring and time-consuming. However, the end product is really nice, as evidenced by Will's fine work.

Good to have you here, Lisa! Feel free to jump in with questions anytime. We have a good group of folks here. Best, -Alex