Bev478

Ha, if only! We bear the full force of whatever comes off the Atlantic, hits us first, dumps all the rain here, & it peters out as it crosses the country So, yes, flooding is frequent, culture a little more difficult to find lol I agree with Adam, there are other, cheaper suppliers than Tandy, although when I'm over that way I will stop in & pick up some stuff (got a business account there). I only buy leather there if I'm picking it myself, if I have to mail order I go elsewhere

Hello mate & welcome to the forum. I'm a bit sad as I had to go & look up "cosplay" lol Look forward to seeing pics of what you make. Luckily, where you're based, it's close to "leather central" for the UK, so makes it easier to go & buy in person. Should think you'll need quite a bit to make some of the outfits. I'm in the depths of Devon - bit of a trek to anywhere useful! Bev

Welcome to the forum mate. Only just introduced myself on here as well. Only got a couple of responses.....but they were slightly friendlier lol Love your notebook cover. Make quite a few A5 covers myself so enjoy seeing other people's work. How do you find using the snap when there are glasses in the case? I'd be a bit concerned about putting too much pressure on! As to the edges - I haven't perfected that skill myself yet. All I can suggest is reading the tutorial by Hidepounder (pinned to top of How Do I Do That section), find any other threads on the subject (which will mention all sorts of tools & techniques to help) & plenty of practice

How about using binding posts (used in scrapbooking I believe). I have been thinking about doing this, as opposed to my current method of making the slip covers for A5 notebooks. These posts seem to range from 3mm high to 50mm - they look like Chicago screws. All you have to do is choose whatever paper you'd prefer, hole punch said paper, make corresponding holes in the leather & Bob's your dad's brother. When the paper is used up, unscrew & refill At least, I hope it works like that Bev

Lol! Thanks to you & your wife for the comments

Hi All Have been reasonably successful with A5 notebook covers recently. This is one using a free design I downloaded - so no credit for that! Nothing earth shattering, but trying to build my skills & improve on overall finishing of projects.

Very nice, wish I had your talent, I may not be struggling as much! lol Knew the sensible thing was to post pics of what I tried, but.................pretty embarrassing efforts (even more so now you've posted your 1st effort ) so I'd put it off. Crappy pics as well - nearly midnight here so artificial light. 1st (double) pic was my 1st attempt a little while ago - realised I had a problem & put it off for a few weeks. The noses were what I did 2 days ago & were sort of a sketch & almost me scribbling over a couple with frustration (silly beveling under nostrils).

HI Bob. You've got it exactly! If I were any sort of artist I would probably try to change the angle to a more favourable one I have been scouring the Figure Carving Finesse book, but am not improving any. I was just going to do my normal sunburst spray job on this, but may try out your idea with the shading - certainly trying to bevel that area is not working. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I had traced the pic onto the leather.............think I may let it dry out whilst I keep trying different things Bev

Hi Jarek & welcome to the forum. I am not experienced enough to "critique" your work as such.......but I do like it! The 2 pouches/bags look really well finished i.e. neat stitching, finished edges & nice dyeing. Also the same for the Leatherman sheath (if that's what it's for). Pretty amazing attention to detail for 2 weeks experience Bev

Hi Emma. I'm down in Plymouth - about as soggy as it is up your way Those are pretty neat looking bags - & a good looking website. Bev

Hi Zor, good to meet you. I like the carving, looks pretty neat to me, as does the stitching. This has to be one of the best places to learn about leatherworking, I can't believe how much info is on here

Hi there & welcome. Look forward to seeing your work. Bev

Hi everyone. I have a tooling job to do for a friend - basically reproducing her tattoo onto an A5 notebook cover. I have just got back into carving leather, & whilst I can muddle through some floral stuff, & have done a couple of animals (as long as they don't have fur ) I am pulling my hair out with this. I have tried a few practice pieces, but, in particular, getting the nose correct is driving me crazy! I don't know if it is the angle of the head but my attempts, so far, look much more.........pig snout like Is there anyone who could give me some pointers. I can't put off this job much longer but I have never really tried a human face before & am struggling Have attached a pic of the tattoo. Thanks in advance. Bev

Hi everyone from a very soggy south west of England. I have been using this forum as a source of information for a while & I had overlooked the fact that I hadn't introduced myself! I first started leatherwork 25 years ago & loved it. Tried to make a go of it as a way of making a living - but mainly just sold stuff (belts/keyrings) in the bike club - couldn't find an outlet. When money got tight I got a "proper job" & eventually gave up my expensive hobby & put my tools into storage for a while. 25 years later, was doing some craft fairs with jewellery & decided it may prove an outlet for the leather - & of course, the internet had arrived (Don't I wish all this information had been available when I was trying to teach myself all those years ago! So much easier to watch a video......& I LOVE forums!! Anyway, I have dug my tools out & started to practice again. Still won't make a living at it, but may make it self-financing Sometimes wonder, if only I had stuck with it........may be getting the hang of it by now Attached (hopefully) a couple of things I've made recently. Look forward to interacting with you all now, instead of just reading! Bev

Hi Renoir I created an account with Abbey reasonably easily & have ordered some bits & pieces from them. Unfortunately the Tiger thread comes in quite big spools - & therefore a considered purchase. I didn't want to commit to that much before trying some out, different sizes etc, so whilst searching found a link to Ian Atkinson's shop on Etsy where he sells the thread in smaller amounts. Obviously you pay a little more per metre, but it's a great way of trying it out for colours/thicknesses etc. Hope this helps. Bev EDIT: Forgot to say I think his shop is under the Leodis Leather banner.