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cjartist

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Everything posted by cjartist

  1. cjartist
    Beautiful work!
  2. cjartist
    You have peaked my curiosity as well. I am pretty rough on work gloves and would love to try and make a pair that would last. I went to Google books to see if I could find the book you have. Sometimes I get lucky and find something there for free. I think this may be the same one you have available as an eBook for $6. Practical Glove Making
  3. cjartist
    It is nice to see how far you have taken this. What a beautiful knife you have there now. Congrats! Have you gotten in the market of making them for others yet?
  4. cjartist
    I sold both of these for $60 a piece. Single layer, no stitching, no swivels. Just the Chicago screws and a sewn leather keeper. Just keep in mind that you need a 44" strip of leather, so it would not be cost effective to make them out of Horween or one of the other top dollar sides.
  5. cjartist
    I have used plenty of EcoFlo dye and have never had a problem. I think it must be the atom wax. I've never used that. After you dye, apply a coat of resolone or super (or satin) sheen and the dye should not come off. I also use wool daubers with no problem. I have mostly been using Fiebings dye for the past year or two because I got a ton of it for free. But i do still use Eco when I want something different. Never have I had the problems that others complain about. i really do think it must be the atom wax. It makes me wonder why they would ever recommend it as a finish.
  6. cjartist
    Very nice. I have been using the cheap Tandy pony myself. It is very limited due to the bolt clamp setup running right through the middle. I too cannot wait to see your progress with this.
  7. cjartist
    Yes, great job. I wouldn't even know how to begin with hair on hide. Looks great.
  8. cjartist
    Very nice. I hope you sell them all and then can stock up to make more! I'm curious about the closure system you are using. I see the round ring but can't figure out how it is set up. Does the strap fold back on itself?
  9. cjartist
    Hi. Looks like you have a great backdrop for photos. Very nice.
  10. cjartist

    My 4th Project

    cjartist replied to Leebroox's topic in Art

    I think your coloring is fine. With the antiquing, if you want a smoother appearance, you have to just work quick and keep it wet. Not easy to do on a big piece. For being at this point for only 4 or 5 months, I'd say you are doing great! Even so, you asked for serious critiques, so here is what stands out to me. You swivel knife cuts are a bit choppy on the long curves. You can see it on the paisleys. Before you start to carve, it helps to do a bit of a warm up on some scrap leather. Just practice a few small circles and curves before you start. It really does help.
  11. cjartist
    There's not a whole lot you can do with pieces that small. Sometimes I will use them to test shades of dye, then they hut the trash. What could you do with them? Maybe key fobs, or rings.
  12. cjartist
    Never seen those. Try Buckle Guy dot com. You might be able to find something similar to replace them with.
  13. cjartist
    As far as I know, you cannot add a walking foot to a machine that is not built for it. You can however sew leather on an old industrial machine. I have a Singer 241 that I have outfitted to sew lightweight leather using a size 21 leather point needle and 90 weight nylon thread. The machine cost me $150 from a Craigslist ad. My problem with the machine is I can't control it very well. I reduced the gear size and slowed it down a bit, but it really needs a servo motor if I want to use it properly.
  14. cjartist
    Cool. That's awesome and you don't have to worry about it falling off.
  15. cjartist
    Dye needs to go before the antique as the antique sits on top of the leather while the leather will absorb dye. As far as mixing the two before application, I have not tried it. I would suggest experimenting with the two until you get the best effect. I would definitely experiment before applying it to an expensive or labor intensive piece. Let us know how it works for you and what you decide upon.
  16. cjartist
    Looks real good, but can you get it off of the head with the way that blade tapers? I have one of those hatchets myself and think you may have just led me into a new project of my own. Thanks for sharing.
  17. cjartist
    That looks great Stetson. I have tried a couple of these type of projects and I always seem to make them just a bit too small, ha ha. Looks like you nailed it though and it came out beautifully.
  18. cjartist
    That's super. You really have a talent for painting details. Wow, nice.
  19. cjartist
    Looks good and it sounds like it has served you well. Being a leather worker is super expensive and I'm right there with you. Why spend hundreds or thousands when you can get the job done for less than $20 (if your even the tiniest bit handy). You can find motors in many places, even garage sales sometimes. Biggest thing to pay attention to is the voltage and make sure you can power it correctly and safely.
  20. cjartist
    I also suggest you check out the rolled handle concept. Hand stitching handles that size would take that much time to do. You mentioned tooling. I think if you were to continue with the flat handles, just adding a bit of detail by using an edge creaser and some antique would work well to bump up the details without too much work or expense. Your baskets look great. How long does it take you to make something that size? I would think you could do well with that type of nearly-lost handmade craft.
  21. cjartist
    I have noticed that different leather comes to me in different shades. Perhaps if you go buy it yourself you can pick out the lightest colored side. Have you also considered that it might not be cow, but perhaps is a different type of tanned hide?
  22. cjartist
    Ha ha, yes very important to be sure to buy the right one. That truly could be an expensive mistake ... "be careful kid, you could take an eye out with that thing"
  23. cjartist
    I would repaint the white. If you notice the white accents on the red ribbon don't have discoloration. You can see the antiquing on the yellow and the red, but not the white.
  24. cjartist
    Thanks, I only found the solution out of necessity of not having the $$. It works quite well too. All that I need for now
  25. cjartist
    You should be able to buy Golden Acrylics at any art supply store including Michaels. I would get their fluid acrylic to use on the leather.
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