immiketoo

Welcome. You can probably teach us all a thing or two. Do you happen to have a YouTube channel?

Welcome to the insanity. It appears you have a maker’s eye for detail. Keep it up!

As stated, prevention is best. If you do get a drip or excess, wipe it immediately. Also, I always do multiple light coats rather than try to get one heavy coat to work.

If you’re looking for 2mm round punches, they are available on eBay. I have a set from .5 up to 12 mm https://www.ebay.com/itm/132674687856?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=hZSG3GTuRlm&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=Nv0ezVr4Su-&var=432001119726&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Use thicker lace with your standard chisels. Or make a custom punch. The spacing is the issue. I use 1/4 lace with a 1/8 punch. Sometimes I have to trim the lace down a little. Depends on your lace.

I may be able to help. Here is a video about simple eyes. The best advice I can give other than what’s in the video is to use a modeling spoon to eliminate any hard edges. As for the nose, you’re pretty close. You only need a little more separation between cheeks and bridge of nose junction and to define the nostrils where they need the mouth. Usually it’s a small arc that goes part way under the nostril. Your original artwork probably shows it better. Below is an example of some of mine. Hope it helps.

Essentially, all acrylic is the same with the exceptions of the strength of the pigment and the viscosity of the paint out of the bottle/tube. If you can work with it and it does what you want, it doesn’t matter what brand. Durability comes from applying the correct thickness(or thinness) of the paint. Thin paint clan flex, thick paint cracks more easily. Above I said I’ve found that createx and golden are the easiest to work with, but I’ve had good luck with other mainstream brands as well. Liquitex in particular is pretty good.

Thank you!

I’m not sure how to recess those and be able to sell it to anyone . The time that would take seem extraordinarily high. Definitely something to think about. I wouldn’t want to just cut the veg tan short and have the croc there so it would require a plug, then a double stitch line similar to a French seam to look right. Hmmmmm Thanks guys! I don’t disagree with you at all. You’ve all given me something to think about for future builds like this. The mottled look is just dye on a piece of sheep’s wool randomly touched. Simple and effective!

Looks good. How do the thin straps handle the weight of the shooter?

Thank you! You can do it! Thanks, Bob! I thank you sir! Thank you! I don’t know why exactly, except for what Bland said above, over all I’m pleased with them. I probably won’t be writing articles for a while, but if I can perfect it, perhaps I’ll submit it to them

You may be right. I hadn’t thought of that aspect. The croc was too thin to edge properly and for the price I agreed on, inlay was not possible, but I’ve just thought of an idea for next time. I could turn the edges by skiving super thin and it would look a lot better. Thanks for the comment!

Those are epic. I love them.

Lol! Thanks!

Here’s something new for me. Exotic overlay. I’m not sure how I feel about it. What do you think?

That’s just silly. Thank you.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the comments. I tech this as a two day class as it’s much to involved to explain online. Sorry folks!

Whatever heavy I have on hand. These have lead and steel inside.

Thank you! I do use eco flo, but all of these are Fiebings.

Thank you. They are fun to make. However, the soft bags are more useful in some situations. It’s nice to have both.

Nothing wrong with those! I have some that are similar. Very useful.

Thread was purchased from Leatherartisanlab.com out of Spain. Don’t remember the brand but you can find it on the interwebz. Good stuff and tons of colors. And thank you! Thanks, Jay!

Thanks guys.

Thanks Chuck! All hand punched, with care. No machines here

Nah you aren’t dumb. I’ve seen some of those needle thingies and I can see why you might think it. I never had a use for them. I just stick all my needles to a neodymium magnet on my bench. Don’t have room or a need for a fancy needle holder