cercyonis

Sorry, I need to check on here more often. I darkened the whole edge with acrylic paint, then filled the tiny gap between the leather and the metal buckle with many layers of neat lac. I didn't like the gap -- it looked tacky. The recipient thinks it's awesome, so I'm glad.

Just wanted to post an update after I took TonyRV2's advice and darkened the whole edge. Not quite what I wanted, but at least it's not a debacle. Thank you for the advice.

I appreciate the response.

Is it possible to paint over neat lac?

I am just starting to try gemstone inlay. I know my buckle wasn't perfect. After I added neat lac, however, it seeped into the back and dark-stained the front in a couple places on the edge. I have it out in the sun, which seems to have helped a little. Any other suggestions? Chock it up to experience? This was a gift and I'm sad about it.

Update (probably no one cares, but oh well)... I did the purse. Used the Sizzix Original. Love it. Cut out all those stinkin' flowers with no problem.

Update: I borrowed a Sizzix Original machine and some dies from my niece. It's a lot of fun. Here are some flowers I cut out of thin leather:

Exactly, that's what ultimately is keeping me away from the Cricut Express. Otherwise, it seems incredibly useful.

I so appreciate this forum. Good responses; I hadn't even heard of a Cricut machine, but now I'm intrigued after researching. Just worried that after spending $250, it'll get destroyed by cutting out a hundred leather flowers. Mallet dies cost a lot, however, so tough to justify the price for one project. Thank you, friends.

My niece wants me to make this hobo bag for her. How in the heck can I make all those stinkin' flowers without cutting them with scissors!? I have searched and searched for a punch, to no avail. Any ideas besides telling her to cut 'em all out herself?

WOW. I need to do this. Seriously, do you have patterns you could share? I've looked everywhere and can't find anything that looks more like what I want.

I'm dredging up ancient stuff. I am just so glad I came across Schno's suggestion to look up "tattoo celtic armband." A LOT of beautiful designs can be found!

Nice finish -- almost looks liquid.

Thank you so much for sharing that pattern. I hope to use it soon.

Beautiful.

My new design uses a sort-of "floppy" pocket that wouldn't need to be sewn to the liner, so the holes remain.

I've been working on a tri-fold wallet that has a pocket inside. I'm having a heck of a time making it all fold together nicely, and I think I need to re-do the pocket with a different design. I don't want to re-do ALL of the innards, however, because I've worked hard on the other parts. So, is there a way to fill the little sewing holes after I remove the current pocket? I need to know this anyway, because heaven knows I've screwed up many times before and just sanded, waxed, and glossed it over (not very satisfactory).

I decided on a light gray. Here is how it turned out. My friend/client seems pleased, so that's what counts! Now I'm having trouble fitting the inside into the wallet cover. If they are the same length, the inside gets completely smashed and buckles. If the outside is a bit bigger, it puckers terribly when open. I've never made a small tri-fold wallet, obviously, but that's what most men want. Don't know how to keep the bulk down. Urg!

Thank you for the reply. I was thinking a light lavender, but thought that might be too "feminine."

I'm making a wallet for a spider-loving (male) friend. Any more experienced painters that can give me advice on a good background color? I was thinking something in the purple spectrum because it would make the orange of the spider stand out. Any ideas? And does this look okay? Thanks.

Sounds like a good system, but I'm always a bit worried I'll be charging more than they want to pay and send people off to WalMart. I've given away hundreds of dollars worth of stuff, however, and that definitely has to stop.

I know this was posted years ago, but I have recently been asked to make a holster for an Astro 320 GPS. I'm pretty much a newbie, but I'm gonna give it my best shot. Not sure how much to charge. So far I've been doing a lot of gifts and work for friends, so I haven't been charging much. I know there's a forum around here about how much to charge for our work, but I can't find it at the moment.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I guess I figured if anyone from here wanted the stuff, there it is on eBay. That's why I mentioned it over here. I will be sure and put stuff here first from now on, though!

Really? I did some research and starting-priced my stuff a few dollars less than anything I found, such as the Tandy catalogs and anyone else on eBay. Maybe the shipping ruins the price? If nothing sells, I guess I'll try 'em all at decreased prices yet again. Like I said, fortunately they did away with the listing fees. But they still take 9% of every sale, including the shipping!!!