ShunkaWakan

Hey Huffdad! Thanks for your comment! Yeah, I spent about 4 hours looking thru the Saddle Makers area to see what I could find. I was seeing that most all get the leather on first, then carve or stamp. On the object. Carving and stamping might not be too bad on the skull, but I was thinking about hammering on it too. They call it the Forks or Pommel mostly I believe. Or that's what I've been taught. I make Saddles but mine are miniature, like they are only 3 inches long. So mini might be a better word for them. I have trouble trying to cover the "swells" of the forks all in one stretch without the sides having "welts". I'd love to learn how, but don't have a teacher. So see, even thou you say you are a beginner, (and I am too (3 years at it)) I welcome ideas anyway. Think yours is good too. So Thanks! Check out my gallery if ya want. You can see the Saddles I make there.

I have been thru all the questions on the Getting Started thread first to see if there might be an answer for me first, but didn't find one. So here is the deal and hope I can get some good ideas on how to go about this. First, I have a horse skull that I've wanted to do something cool with. Decided to do a leather horse mask over it and maybe later carve something into the bone skull too. I just want to take the correct steps here so that it will be somewhat of a success first time around. lol My piece of leather that I'm working with first is 1 to 2 oz so it is thin compared to leather that is used for many other things. I've learned over the last two years where the leather is "cased" to the exact wetness for carving/stamping. I feel like I should "case" the leather first, and then kinda lay it over the skull to get the eye holes cut out in the right placing. But then I also want to hand carve a design into it. So should I dampen the leather again after I have it cut like I want it? To lay it out flat so that I can do the carving? In the past, I've learned that after carving, then damping it again to fit it over something, I've had to re-do some of the carving because it kinda "faded" away alittle. There will be holes on each side of the leather, so it can be tied in the back of the skull. Thanks for any help or ideas you can give!

Thanks on the Bob Park book info! Think I will be asking him about his book too. I have Sheridan Style Carving by Bill Gardner and Clinton Fay. It's been really helpful to me after I re-read it several times to get my brain wrapped around the idea of it. But obtaining more books on this subject can't hurt! If this pic shows, this is what I make. This Saddle is 2 inches long by almost 2 inches wide on the bottom skirt. So it is a very small space to also do Sheridan. lol

Awesome Troy! That's very cool! Did you do the carving/stamping too? Love the gun and all too. Great stuff! The dye really gives it a richness too. Very good! Love seeing them. I wish I could figure out how to post a pic inside the post. I've tried many times and it says they don't accept my URL or what ever. All my pics I keep on my computer in "My Pictures" and are extremely easy to add everywhere else on the net. Why I can't here is beyond me. I'd show you the only one I did with a rifle if I could. Thanks for posting this!

My Cowgirl Hat is off to you! All of them are so stunning! I haven't been back in here for a very long time. Have made several Saddles since then. Trying to improve with each one. Just uploaded several of my newer Saddles in my gallery tonight. Check them out if you get some time and let me know what you think.

I finally did buy my first stamp from Barry King Tools. Basket Weave and I love it! The smallest they sell and it was perfect. Now, I will be making some drawings of other tools I want them to make for me too. I just added some news photos in my gallery, one of which is a Saddle using my new stamp from them.

Andy, here is a pic of the Trees I use. They are really small. Smaller then DoubleLL's. Might not be what you are looking for.

Not sure if you are asking DoubleLL about his Saddle Trees or the ones I use Andy. Saddles I make are 3 inches long on the bottom skirt.

Aren't they fun! I build miniature Saddles too. For anyone in the future reading in here that might want to try making a miniature Saddle, you can get a kit from Rio Rondo Enterprises. Be sure and order the Traditional size Saddle kit. Everything is in the kit to make a Saddle, including lacing for a Bridle and all the hardware you need too. Plus an instruction book. Last I knew the kit is $24 or $25.00. You can also check out my Gallery in here to see what they look like.

Totally Awesome Saddles you make! Love them!