Pip

hey there, are you after making carved masks or molded ones? I started with a stanley knife a cheap rotary punch for stitch holes There are some fabulous mask makers on here, just search for masks. its a great hobby and you dont need too much space at all. I made my initial tool purchases selling mystery braid bracelets made from offcuts I made from leather bins from abakhan, keyrings and coaster sets. Take your time to get to know the material and how it behaves, not all of it behaves the same and have fun! Pip

Liverpool says hello!! Lots of great folk on this site, ask as many questions as you need people always seem happy to help.

Thanks mr dabeetle!!!!!! for your generousity. I haven't been around for a while. and for the guys who soled the 404. Pip

i take your point, I will narrow down the field somewhat. I will be back!! but not right away!

Hi everyone Well I have got to that point where I am thinking of getting a sewing machine, I do mostly pouches, bags, belts in 3mm+ veg tan as I often carve them first. I would like to do finer stuff like wallets, but find hand stitching makes them not cost effective. I have a limited budget (£500 or so) and unfortunately live in uk, so my options are a little limited. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Pip

And welcome from Liverpool!

hey there underthestars, glad you joined, the uk community growing stronger by the day!! Some lovely work there, people here all really cool and supportive as you can no doubt tell from the posts. Will look forward to seeing more of your stuff! Pip

keep going wandering star, it all hurts to begin with.

thanks for sharing these appreciated!

Spaulders for me, never could get them to hang right!

Hi Humperdingle You come to a fab place here, people are really helpful, never be afraid to ask a question. I have found out so much and saved lots of money and time. Pip

Stunning! great vid, thanks!!

big thank you! I have a question, I currently use a marking wheel, and i have a problem getting the diamond awl through the leather especially thick stuff then once its through it doesnt come out easily, it kinda sticks. I recently polished my awl to a mirror shine and it now has a seriously sharp point which helps it in and coming out, you make it look so easy, I must be doing something wrong as I need to seriously force it through, but with what appears such a simple movement, I can't see what?? Any ideas??

best buy, was actually a swap a box of old but fab 1950/70/80 leather tools for an axe sheath and for me to name and show which each item did, I could only have the ones I knew from the box. I was disappointed how little I knew at the beginning, but after a (fluke) carving of a rose which came out stunning on the sheath (i still have no idea how!!) the guy left the rest of the box with my partner who was manning the table when i went off to pee. I came back and was well pleased with the few old tools I named, spent an hour sharpening and honing and polishing a round knife which fits my hand like a glove (even though at the time I had no idea how to use it), and thanked the guy again as he went passed. Only later did i find the entire box of tools in the car, the guy had made my partner promise not to tell me til we packed up for the day. The fair we were at, was empty, I lost money, was a little downhearted, but happy at the few tools the man had given me then SURPRISE. i never got his name, never saw him again and never got to say thanks properly. He rekindled my faith in humanity and the power of surprise, because of him every first 'none commission' item i make with his tools goes as a gift, or for charity. Worst buys, a supposedly premium veg tan hide from Tandy which was on sale (not) which my Dad paid for, to be given a second class (if I am kind) hide, I later found he had paid full price for. I figured at the time 'Ah thats why its on sale!' but it wasn't....... I was gutted and will never buy leather from them again. The best and worst..........The first piece of leather I bought from a local store which i travelled to especially, before I knew what to look for (i still don't fully).... asked for advise (as i hadn't found this site yet) and was sold a nice piece of waxy expensive bridle leather which was totally unsuitable for what I wanted/needed (and expensive at £70), to learn how to carve leather on (i know I should have done more research but I was young). As I left the shop, the assistant turned to her mate and said 'see I told you I'd sell that to someone today!'. I read up on what i had bought, after several very disappointing attempts, was really upset, so much so I never used it, and eventually swapped it for some other leather, and accidently found a teacher for a while, so not all bad.

Hi there I have seen one backpack pattern on a pattern site called wildthings you can download it from http://www.wildginger.com/products/wildthings.htm you could modify the basic pattern. It is very basic pattern but allows you to add pockets etc. give it a try! Pip

welcome to the forum, this place is full of people who know their stuff and everyone is happy to help. Pip

That would be fab!!! But Before you go tearing the place apart, let me just check my friend may have book 2 as TTcustom suggested, thanks TTcustom . Good luck with Vegas, Big gun.. pip

Thanks for all your help guys, I have a copy of stohlmans book three, but my copy doesn't appear to have a bowling bag project in it, I think I must be going mad I have been through it a dozen times. hmmmm! Pip

Hi guys I am desperately looking for a pattern for a bowling bag, and getting less than nowhere, does anyone have a bowling bag pattern they could email..... Please please please. Pip

Thanks for putting the time into this article, it is a revelation, now I understand it all much better. Thank you. Lovely work, by the way, an inspirational gallery, really crisps and clean lines. Pip

Welcome to the site, its a great place to come for advice. Always good to see more UK entrants here too! Pip

Welcome and WOW nice work. Pip

Welcome Ask around on the forums for advise on your project ideas there is a mass of experience here to offer help. Cheap is good to practice your skills but by the time you've spent an hour making something you may feel spending a little extra on the outset is worth it, cause you maybe able to charge more, but only if you finish the projects. Be prepared to loose a few to mistakes and make some prototypes for friends to hone your skills. Ask here for advice we have all been there and spent money we didn't need to on kit we have never used so ask first buy later!! Happy hideing pip

me also please

Hey there guys, this is a very friendly site with lots of lovely people who believe in sharing knowledge in and around our craft, don't feel afraid to post pics of your work and ask for criticism as it will always be fair and informative. Ask away and people will point you in the right direction. pip