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DoubleC

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Posts posted by DoubleC

  2. Posted · Edited by DoubleC · Report reply

    Well I was so tired when I saw this list that I didn't see you wrote the items out, I'm sorry. OK I've been doing this for 3 years and I don't have a hammer. My mallet does everything I need to do from punching holes to setting snaps. I would get a just use a box cutter or a craft knife. I got an olfa when I first started and and cut my index finger almost to the bone (ok that's operator error, LOL) but more importantly it dulled very fast and the blades are almost as much as a new knife. Also I just got a slicker given to me a couple months ago and have always burnished my edges with saddle soap and denim. Some people just use spit. You'd be better off waiting until you can get a drill press and then getting one that fits it. Actually you can use your bone folder to burnish edges because what you need is something that will build up heat while the leather edges are damp to get a smooth burnished look.

    One thing I saw you left out was a swivel knife and a beveler. I just went and saw SLC has the basic 6 set with a swivel knife (and beveler) here http://springfieldleather.com/29330/Stamping-Tool-Set%2CSLC-Basic-7/ I think it's worth buying the basic six because you don't have to use them for Sheridan type tooling but the other five make nice edge designs, etc. I know you said you didn't want to do Sheridan but I still use these for other things. I'll post a couple of pictures.

    Other than that I think you have everything to get off to a good start except leather. If you tell me what you want to try to make first I can help you with that too. BTW I get almost all my things from SLC. Really nice folks. Oh wait I forgot I would get a modeling spoon with a rounded point on the other end. I use the spoon to smooth out the beveling and the rounded tip on the other end to draw my designs on the leather. Well they don't have one tool like I have so I'm going to show you two, which I have one each on mine. http://springfieldleather.com/29154/Modeler%2CMed%2CLrg-Round-Spoon/ http://springfieldleather.com/29155/Modeler%2CMed%2CLrg-Pointed-Spoon/ You might want to look at Hobby Lobby etc. for this instead of buying two tools.

    Oh and depending on what you want to make and what kind of leather you need I can help you with a few things to use to dye with.

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  6. Posted · Report reply

    J it depends on what kind of leather work you want to do. You can make wallets, belts and purses plain and that would change the tools you need. I seldom do any 'tooling' especially Sheridan flowery stuff and so what I use day in and out is a lot different than someone who does Sheridan tooling on wallets, belts etc. However a basic "7" will always come in handy whether you do Sheridan or not. That's a swivel knife, veiner, camo, beverler, etc. And you can get those anywhere, even Tandy to start out with. I would recommend you get a smaller beveler some where though because I never could bevel with the bulky one that came in the tandy 7.

    However if I was starting over I would go to Bruce Johnson, a member on here and ask him some questions and let him sell you what you need after you have a clearer idea of what you want. He sells mostly vintage tools and they are so much better than most of the new ones.

    His website is: http://brucejohnsonleather.com/ Cheryl

  11. Posted · Report reply

    There is a lot of good info here and I'd like to add some more. I work at the same farmer's market all summer, today is my last one of the year. Our motto is 'if you don't make it, bake it or grow it, don't bring it.' So having been an ongoing market for years most people know that and don't think it's fake crap from China. I know a vendor who was going to be the only LW at a big show (not around here) and was told he'd better cram his booth since he was the only LW vendor. He did with Chinese purses and sold them as his own. When he told me that I was actually sick. That's one of the reasons we have to fight and claw for every dime we make.

    I have a Christmas show next month and this year I'll take my inventory I already have built up and I will make several key chains and this year I'd like to have some magnets with little Christmas objects on the magnetic tape like stockings and doves and santa etc. Last year at this show I sold nothing but key chains and an art piece. I charge 5 bucks for my key chains because I wet the conchos I have for them, and stamp VT on them, then grab some dyes and do them in several colors. My other stuff I take will just be to fill up the booth nice but it didn't sell last year. I have a lot of 10.00 bracelets and will make some more easy ones so to keep the price down. That will be the three things I expect to sell mostly. The other suggestions given here about folding furniture etc. really comes in handy. Oh and the little simple CC holders with designs stamped on them.

    I didn't get any custom orders last year but I usually do one a week or two at the farmer's market. I agree, especially this time of year go for the small impulse buys that are still nice that people can give for gifts.

    You folks forgot one important thing. No matter what, have fun :)

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Red I think it looks great except you used too big of an awl or something because you can see your sewing holes and they should have closed. I just looked again and it's looks like maybe you used a machine? Either way do you drill out your holes first? Cause that removes the leather and it can't reclose. No matter what you did I think it's a lovely project and I love the tan with the 'sienna' color. I'm sure your wife loves it. Cheryl

  20. Posted · Report reply

    There is a sub forum for masks but since this is a purse I don't see the relevance to masks. If you want to wet form it over a triangular wooden shape, just make sure you have 1/4th inch to nail it down. Do it at the edge of the 1/4th so you'll have room to cut off the nail holes after it dries. However it's beyond me how you will sew it inside out at that shape.

    If you wanted to tool a dragon purse it would be much easier and maybe nicer. We had a dragon challenge a while back in the 'contests' forums and I did a carved one by finding a picture online and leaving it up on my screen while I drew and carved it. This wasn't the best by any means and the picture isn't a good one but I think you'll get the idea.

    I hope someone else will come along and help you as far as molding it, and turning it inside out to sew. Cheryl

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  21. Posted · Report reply

    Fiend I made 4 of them recently but they weren't the type to sew on, the end straps were sewn to 1 " with a 2" which became 1/2 and 1" after being sewn. The 2 " piece that was sewn to make an opening to run the 1/2" pieces through so it made a loop sewn onto the wider strap on each end to put around the rifle barrel and butt. The part that was sewn in-between the strap and suede was also 1" wide on the other end to the two looped pieces. One looped was free float because a buckle was sewn on one end of the the strap and that piece was longer than the other one with belt holes so it could be adjusted, thus needing the one inch left on it and a longer amount of it on the side opposite the loop. I sewed mine 2 & 1/2 inches so three shouldn't be a problem. I just scanned as much as I could of my pattern to upload and I hope you aren't as confused as I am, LOL. If I can explain this better, just ask.

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