Pip

Yeah I heard and was really excited but alas I am needed in work! D'oh I will be there in spirit though. already got a few days off coming up so can't grumble really. I am at Norton Priory on 7th and 8th June doing a few simple carving and stamping demo's with kids and adults for their green activity day. also doing bat talks I think, but still haven't heard back on that yet.

Hi there Welcome to the forum, people are really nice here as you can see, very helpful too. Glad you found us. i am amember from the uk but just starting out in leatherworking, I do a little of some of the smaller crafts, jewellry ect. nothing as grand as saddles. There are quite a few of us now from the uk and more joining all the time, i never realised how many people do leather over here. Pip

Cheers clayb now all i need is to talk the boss into giving me time off n the summer lol. Ifn I don't make it in person i'll be there in spirit. Sounds like an experience, not to be missed.

Watch with hot water, as it will stretch more, but once dry will be stiffer, I have found tyhis with masks. If your water is too hot it wll cause your lether to be brittle, and crack which can add an aged look when you dye it but is generally undisirble. I don't know its effects on thinner leather or sheep, though, maybe another more experienced molder could give you more info.

i got a few bits from Liverpool uk I will send to cheer you up, pm and I will pop them in the post, it takes a bit to get to town, if you want stuff from the wirral I will happily send some beautiful post cards, pics, and trinkets ASAP. I' ve had weeks like that, they are a killer and no-body blames a grumble after feeling unappreciated, especially after the week takes the urine. I feel for ya. I hate it when people don't do what they say. Still life has a way of resetting the Karma, I am occassionally guilty (ahem) as I have serious stm problems of forgetting stuff, maybe drop them a line and see how those tools are doing, refresh their memories, in a friendly inquiry, if you get nothing then, remember you did what you did because you are a kind human being, with respect for others and that you did it because you wanted to, and to the rude people who didn't reply or anything F*** em. P.S. How much are your lace cutters/tools ?I will happily put money or gifts up front, in light of your post.

Lovely stuff, like you say variety is the spice of life, again lovely to see another uk'r. How long did the saddle take it looks beautiful.

lol, I am presuming thats in the official salute not in the english longbowman style lol

lovely neat stitching, any hints ?or are you just naturally talented, i can't seem to get my stitching straight no matter what I try lol. Wow love;ly work, no more hiding.

i have cut it kinda close for that this time but next time, a great idea. hmm I could sew a tab on to the inside nose peice of the mask and stck it to the underside of the beak, stitching in the undercut of the nostrils, though with a couple of invisible (ish stitches) that might just work. Thanks Clayb. Now you say it it seems so obvious, but I have been racking my brain for two weeks now. ah couldn't see the wood for the trees.... I may give it a try tonight.

Ok my new mask after the success of my pif, i decided to go one step further with a separate beak now my thoughts are to stitch it over the bridge of the nose and leave the sides loose but I have a concern about how to ge it sat right and i don't really want visible stitches on the front. Its made of 3mm tooling leather. Whats your advice?

I have controlled a few large groups in my time but 45 is a real stretch, My advice is that from the instant they meet you take control, be nice, talk etc but you are in control, don't get trapped talking to one child about what they are going to do cause 10-1 that child will cause problems in the session ahead, tell them i will tell you all about once we get started.... before you even go near the teaching site lay down some rules and boundaries. Explain why the rules are needed and ask the girls if there are other rules they would impose on themselves.... you will be surprised. This is only how i would do it so please don't take offence, i don't want to tread on toes but this is my method and it works for me for ages 4-15 above that I have different methods. Introduce yourself, stick to the fact (hi i am nic, I have been doing leatherwork for 2 years, we are here today to have a go and if we work qwell you'll all get some snazzy bracelets to take home). because your a big grouop I need to lay down some groundrules ok Rules: 1. No one touches anyone elses work, unlessthey ask for help. 2. (Actually rule no.1) when you speak, ask the girls to listen. there is no point in shouting over 45, silence and a clap can work wonders, "we will do this in stages, so i can keep up with you all". 3. Don't let anyone touch anything until you have explained how to do it, if anyone done it before then say " great you can help the others, once we get going" 4. Then run through the thing in stages..... First we wet the leather, grab a sponge and wipe it over the surface, note how the colour changes etc etc (this gives you control of what they do and in what order) Now, if any body finds it difficult to follow the rules I will stop the activity, and we can all sit on the grass here and wait, do you all understand. I always feel a bit militant at this point but it is soon forgotten and everyone knows the outcome of breaking the rules. ask them who knows the rules? what happens if they break them. "Ok thats the nasty bit out of the way" lets go enjoy ourselves and make these bracelets These are lettering stamps and explain how they work, the are back to front so when we stamp on the leather they are the rifgt way around. This is how we transfer to the leather (including safety) then they have the basics. (how do you think we need to hit this to give a good impression, act out what you don't want, you will look silly but they will all get the gist straight away) once they've got the basics the last bit of decorating the leather, let them go for it, but repeat how to use the stamps safely, (Ask them how they do it!) You've been a leader so all this is probably teaching granny to suck eggses. As i said, I control groups of between 10 and 60(absolute maximum, in dangerous areas walking, hiking, and doing crafts. i find once you lay down the rules, reasons and consequences, you actually enjoy yourself more cause everyone knows where they stand. Thats my 2ps worth. In a nut shell I work to a system called the supported system which I divised myself, two years ago, it works liovely. Pip

Thanks Citizen kate! fabulous demo!!

i received my PIF from JLD the other week, it is a beautiful braided hat band, I was hoping to post a pic but my camera has decided to pack in after 3 years loyal service (and just oputside the warrenty) I will post as soon as I get a new one... Thanks JLD my work colleagues are sooooooo jealous he he.

thats some lovely work, what do you seal tbe inside of your stuff with.

This is just a thought I have never tried it, i don't have the skill, but in thought it should work and look neat First skive down two edges and stick together, roll edges under so top leather curls then stick under and stitch like a border on the underedge, i think give a nice rounded edge BUT will leave raised edges underneath to allow the skin some room to breath when strap is closed, and stitching against the skin hmmm. my unenlightened 2d worth.

Nice work, there.... I can neverfind pencils when I need them.

thats beautiful!!

You could try a dry brush of a lighter colour, if you have any acryllics I have found this works really nicely to highlight carved areas. To do it successfully takes a little practice, but.... Get a brush and dip in ink, wipe off all the excess and leave your brush till its nearly dry then in fast light movents pass it over the carving it should adhere to all the raised sections and leave the sunken recesses untouched. i have done theis a lot cause i keep messing up my dying. A word of caution don't use to light a colour or it will make too much of a issue of the overdye. Just a thought.

My god, tina those paitings are stunning. The corsets are beautiful too, but I don't think i could get away with wearing them to work though lol. You are one talented lady!!

Wow thats beautiful!!! sorry I know its already been asked what mm is that leather?

thats beautiful!!

Ha ha a love tactician, knight of the sowing circle, does your patience pay off? LOL I have tried cross stitch to, although I would never admit it to friends. I rescue bats, do some woodland survivalism (off beat camping) but not offen enough, I roleplay (still, I know its a bit sad but It means I keep in touch with friends from 22 years ago), I carve spoons, nothing elaborate but relaxing when I don't carve my fingers instead. I read several books at a time..... OMG I am a nerd! lol

Someone did a peice on pricing your work some time ago, in the forum....... Lovely belt is that machine stitching or hand, either way is way neat.

that is really nice, and welcome, everytime someone new joins us the amount of knowledge grows exponentially. That is beautiful work.

If you are looking for a translucent colour, try acryllic inks they give a lovely colour finish, except purple for some reason? which goes dull and lifeless as an old slipper.