Fiddlegirl89

Hi! I have a friend who wants a guitar strap, with a name on it, and I have never stamped leather before! From what I've read, I need to dampen the leather, then stamp, but then what? Do I need a dye to fill in the letters, or will it show up well enough without a dye? I was planning on saddle soaping the whole thing (I'm putting an edge braid on the strap) so will that darken the imprint of the stamps sufficiently? I'm just really lost as to how to stamp...my stamp set will be here in a few days (just ordered it) so I can practice then, but I do need to order dye if that's something I am going to have to have. Thanks!

That's really neat, Ken, that you make the straps! My dad always says I'd make a lot of money doing those...especially when we go to bluegrass festivals! Have you been to Bear on the Square in Dahlonega? My family also travels to craft fairs and that's one of our regulars. We lived in Zebulon, GA until about 3 years ago, so most of our musical background is based there... If you know bluegrass musicians...do you know who Ron Stewart is? I'm hopefully going to be taking lessons from him soon, after IBMA, so I'm super excited! We just went to a festival this past weekend and heard Dailey and Vincent...my favorite group!

Ok, I found some pictures on my computer to post. Although, after seeing just a little of the work that folks on here do, I'm pretty intimidated! My stuff looks rather cheesy!!! These are keychains I made, with calfskin lace... A bolo tie... Close-up of the knots on the tie... Flat braided keychain... I've made 2 bulllwhips, following the directions in one of Bruce Grant's books. This is the first one... And the second one...I did the handle different on this one. I also made this Bible case. I've never tooled anything, so I bought the pattern, traced it onto the leather, and "wood-burned" it. The case is 2 layers of leather, with a knitted piece inside for padding. I didn't sew it at all, but laced all of the edges with a decorative braided finish. I made this a few years ago, and it certainly has design flaws! If I did it over, I would change a few things! It fastens with snaps on the inside. I've also woven a chair seat with leather...the idea is in one of Grant's books, but he uses rawhide. I had a friend make a chair frame for me, and I wove the leather seat. Actually, in exchange for the chair, I made him a 21-strand braided belt. I made my brother a different 21 strand braided belt a couple of years ago, but he (and the belt) isn't home, and won't be for a few days. I still need to get pictures of a mandolin strap I made for myself...it's a crocodile ridge braid out of calfskin. The leather on the banjo strap, the whips, and the chair seat I mentioned...I cut all of the lace for those from oil-tanned sides from Tandy. I really don't know much about leather, but I am learning more of that through my current job. I worked at a tack shop for a while last year and learned a lot there...how to cut leather for reins and bridles, and how to sew. I really loved doing that, but the shop go busy enough for them to need me there all the time, and I had other obligations. I'm really having to teach myself everythng as I go, and it would be so much easier to be able to work with pros! A few years ago, I had an opportunity to be an apprentice with a Mr. Yancy in Flowery Branch, GA, making Paso Fino saddles. I've always wanted to learn about saddle making, and he said that I could come anytime, after I told him I taught myself to braid from Bruce Grant's book. That didn't work out, though...I was 16, and would have had to move across the state during the week and come home on weekends. I wasn't ready for that then, but I'm happy with my situation now, as far as my work with leather. I still think it would be neat to make saddles... Guess that's enough for now!

Thanks, everyone! The only pictures I have access to right now (I'm not on my computer) are the ones of a banjo strap I made for my dad a while back. The pictures aren't very good, though. I need to get everything out for a photo shoot now! You're welcome to my cooking anytime you want to stop by! I always have chocolate chip cookies made, and there's always fresh milk! (My dad's addicted!) ~Kayla

Hi...I'm new here! I just wrote an "About Me" on my profile, so I'll just paste it here! I'm Kayla, a 21 year old farmgirl. I was homeschooled all the way through, graduating in 2006. I live at home with my parents, married 22 years, and my 3 younger brothers, ages 18, 11, and 9. I work from home, making leather dog leashes. I've been braiding leather for a few years (somewhere around 6) and I've made a couple of bullwhips, a few belts, a few instrument straps, and other small items...bolo ties, keychains, etc. I love bluegrass music, and I play fiddle, guitar, and a little mandolin. I love to cook, and make most of my family's meals. I design and sew clothes, knit, crochet...I have many varied interests! I love cows, and bought my own Jersey this past year. I've hand-milked as many as 3 cows, twice a day, and could get 1 1/2 gallons in 3 1/2 minutes...that's my fun fact that always amazes everyone...lol! And I guess that's it about me...pretty cut and dry! My granddad told me about this site (he loves the holsters,) and I look forward to learning a lot here! I've never seen such a well-organized wealth of information in one place!