DoubleC

That is really beautiful. Cheryl

Mikey, that's beautiful. Cheryl

The look like two different techniques to me. The first looks like it was dyed, then an acrylic whitewash put on and kept away from the sewing, and also wiped from that area. The second article looks like it was distressed and antiqued. To get the distressed look you see at the end of the belt you simply roll the leather in on itself tightly and the grain will wrinkle. Then it was painted or dyed the green, a resist put on, and then the dark antique applied and left on the edges, and wiped off some in the middle. I hope this helps. Cheryl

Well I'm finished I think with the project, and going to submit it tonight. I'd love critiques. Thanks Cheryl

do you think that would look good on the background...I mean obviously sand caves aren't all the same color? Or maybe even try it on the red after I do some penciling in of the eye etc before I put resolene on it? It would be a cool look if I could achieve it.

Hey Kevin. TO gave me some ideas and I've changed how I did it. I did the cutout for the red, and then burnished the inside edges to smooth them out then to indicate the darker area I burnished it with a t-shirt and a little bit of water, and smudged some pencil on. I just finished with that and taking a break.

I drew a bison from a cave drawing I found online and I'm uploading both here. I just noticed when I was drawing it, the cave background was a sandy color. So I'd like to leave the area around the bison that color. I'm going to cut this out to make a bronc noseband. I was going to inlay the red with some leather I have that's almost a match for the color but I decided to paint the bison with acrylics instead. I want to wet the leather lightly and distress it first before I start painting. Do I want to use neatsfoot oil on the background to keep it sandy, or perhaps another technique? I've never used neatsfoot so I don't know what order it should go in. Should I do the painting first and then put neetsfoot over all of it, let it dry and then put resolene on it? Or should I put the oil all over it before painting, let it dry and then start the painting? Thanks for your help. Cheryl

ROFL, loved sunny Germany when I visited.

I'm not sure I understand your dilemma. People use metallic paint on everything, so why not dog collars. Maybe it's because I haven't seen them yet but what part of these divine creations are you wanting to replicate? I mean all of it to the buckle and D ring? Do they have a metallic logo of some sort you want to copy too, like a silver elephant with gold tusks? Honestly I'm not being sarcastic but I would imagine if you did an internet search you could find dozens of places doing these. How do I feel about being called to see if someone wanted to recreate one of my designs? I'd probably be pretty annoyed but I'd get over it because I only have one thing I do I consider unique and all my own. I think it's polite of you to ask but don't be surprised if they aren't pleased, especially if they think they actually came up with the collars uniquely. And perhaps they did although I'd just have to see one to think that. If you plan to sell them wouldn't it be more rewarding to come up with your own design? Just my ramblings for what they're worth. Cheryl

Hi Gabriel. I like your wallet very much. I made one completely out of bison calf, what a dream to work with. You could just burnish your edges and leave it as is, bind them (There's a tutorial on doing this in the 'how do I do that thread by KK) or braid them, totally up to how you want it to look. Cheryl

very nice Chris, Cheryl

Looks good Roger. Nice job and the stitch is a nice touch. Cheryl

beautiful job, Cheryl

Beautiful job, the shading is excellent. Cheryl

Nice job, really nice. Can't wait to see it finished. Cheryl

Chief I have a hand crank Singer 28 I use for that stuff. speed easily controlled. Cheryl

Stunning work Clay, as usual. Cheryl

LOL, yes prototypes are a bugger aren't they? But the more I do the better I get at hiding the flaws A 'few?' Uh yes, that would be correct, LOL. But it turned out ok and will be better next time. Cheryl

Thanks Mike. Had it at the MP today and it really did a good job

I agree Clair, I saw a poster once who thinking he was showing gratitude posted his website and proudly said a lot of the designs came from here. I too am opposed to such things. But when I put my things on, lowly though they may be, I try and explain how I did it so others might wish to improve and make the design their own. Cheryl

I guess I don't figure anyone has done a totally original design in a couple hundred years, it's the interpretation of someone's work I was talking about Clair. Imitation and flattery, all that. I think if someone is good enough to make an exact copy they probably wouldn't need to. Cheryl.

I've been working on this for a couple of weeks because of some design flaws I fixed along the way. I saw one similar on here, listened to what he said about what he wish he'd done, and tried to incorporate those things. The only thing I did I'm ashamed of was stamping the tree when the leather was too wet, I know better than that The other things were just stuff you'd expect to run into with a prototype I guess. The window where I sewed it ended up too big for the playbook, so I added the lace. The only lace I had was 1/4th" and it was too big for that space and ripped some holes in the 3oz leather, which is why one side looks different. If I make one for a customer I will clear up the design issues but just for me it came out ok. I would use heavier leather the next time so I didn't have to double the flap to hold the tablet up, and sew the window in closer so it would hold it more evenly, etc. The holes on the side allow you to plug it in without removing it on one side and turn it on on the other.

Beautiful job. Cheryl

I think it looks good Stewart. I really like your coasters, although I hope you post your wallet too. The owner should be very pleased with these. Cheryl

Cool Mikey