CountryStyle

So my wife bought a cuttlebug and I decided I would run a piece of leather through it. It is 3-4 oz med grade import from SLC, run through the cuttlebug with an embossing folder (after being cased). Finished with eco flo all in one desert tan, then fiebings black antique on top. I don't want to start embossing all my work, but I figured this could be good for making small journals or notepads for quick and easy sales, while I work on other stuff. Or maybe leather Christmas presents/cards.

That is a great looking piece. Like Adam, I would like to try this as well, but need to acquire some leather. One question, how is the briddle to work with compared to veg tanned leather? is there any advantage other than not having to put a color and finish on it? Does it wet mold the same?

I just thought I would let you know a couple of places I have found for supplies in our area. You may already know about them, but I wish I had known about them sooner. There's a place in bentonville called "all strung out" beads and jewelry, he has some tandy tools and supplies for sale in there. Also, there is an old shoe/boot repair shop in downtown Rogers, he has several Fiebings products for sale including dies and oils/conditioners. He sells em for about $4 a bottle, which is a good deal.

I read through some of the posts here, and it inspired me to put some effort into pictures of my things. I took the pictures outside per the recommendations of some of you, and I edited a couple of them with the Paint.net software.

You could invest in an airbrush. I have the deluxe one from harbor freight, and it works well for dying. Gives a pretty consistent color. Of course this one is not good for detailed painting, but perfect for spraying dye on leather. should cost about $20 or so, and works with an air compressor.

Here is another Bible cover I just finished. Any feedback is welcome. I kind of went with a less is more approach with this one. What do you guys think would be a fair price for something like this?

Very clean, your stamping is superb.

looks like a well executed belt, I particularly like your work on the finished edges.

Awesome detail, very nice.

very nice, I like the rustic look you have achieved!

Thank you!

Nice, I'm down the road in Lowell. Meeting a lady in Fayetteville tomorrow to see her tools she wants to sell.

Whereabouts in Arkansas are you?

Here is a Bible cover that I just completed. I also posted it in the "critique my work section," so if you have an criticism I encourage you to post it there. Thanks for looking!

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate the help! All I have left to do is apply a finish and I'm done! I will post it for critiquing.

First and foremost thank you for any help you can provide! I am working on a Bible cover and I have just about got it all carved and tooled. I wanted to ask what the best technique for dying it would be. It has some basketweave, a cross with some backgrounding around it, borders. Whats the best technique for dying the basketweave area? Does it matter if I get dye in every little crack and crevice? How can I ensure uniform coloring? Also, what should I use to finish it out? I have some eco flow satin sheen, mink oil, saddle soap, and some OLD supersheen (from 2002 it looks like). Once again, I appreciate any help!!!! After it's finished I'll post it for critiquing.

So I took a cheapo screwdriver, filed it down, and made an edge beveler. It probably doesn't cut as smooth as professional ones (or maybe I just need to strop it), but as long as the leather is cased it gives a nice bevel. Just thought I would share the info.

Celticleather, Thank you so much for posting those pictures!!! that is great information and I will probably make some of these on my next day off. I love it when people post stuff like this to help others out!

Hah, I'm off today, and my Home Depot card got a bit of a boost today... Didn't even think to look at the dollar store for a compass, thanks for the info Pete!

UPDATE: Ok so after filing/sharpening the wrench, it cuts like a dream. Just as good as a swivel knife! This is perfect for borders. UPDATE: Ok so after filing/sharpening the wrench, it cuts like a dream. Just as good as a swivel knife! This is perfect for borders. Also, I made one of those fancy pants double bevelers from a stainless steel bolt. It works well, but could use some improvement. I have attached some pictures for you all to see. Homemade border tool, homemade beveler.

Bob, great Idea, I picked one up at The Home Depot for four dollars and change today! Thank you! Dirtclod, bought a bolt today and am going to give this a shot. Thanks! Sylvia, I think its too late, bought a bunch of files and a big sharpening stone today.... Thank you for the advice! Camano ridge, those pages you posted about making stamps are fantastic information, thank you for posting those. I am going to try and make some today!

Thanks Cyberthrasher. I think I might try sharpening one end of it, but I don't have a grinder so it might take me forever. Who knows, I'll give it a shot! What do you mean by light double-bevel?

Hello everyone, Well as usual I am trying to find ways to improve my work without spending money (because I have none). Was trying to figure out a way to make a nice straight border on my belt without buying a tool, so I found a cheapo wrench out in my garage and was able to make a straight border line with it. I plan on cutting it with my swivel knife and then beveling it. We shall see how it turns out, but I think it will be ok. Any other ideas on how to do borders with household things?

Heh, if you have taken an economics class in the past ten years, they teach the concept of comparative advantage as a benefit. As an example, Columbia makes coffee a hell of a lot more efficiently than we do, and we make airplanes better than them. Therefore, common sense tells you we trade them airplanes for coffee. This benefits everybody. If we were to make our own coffee here in the USA, it would cost us more because of the more expensive labor, unfavorable growing conditions, and increased cost of doing business here in the states. Coffee would be unreasonably high priced. Same goes for Columbia, they cant afford to build their own airplanes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing business internationally, like i said, it benefits EVERYONE. If the USA produced everything it consumed, life would be much harder. We wouldn't be able to afford a comfortable life. I am going to check out their site now, thank you for sharing the information.

LOL just my luck. Just got done looking through the harbor freight add, and they have 18" (mines a 14") magnetic strips for $5!!! just my luck. Im probably going to pick some up.