Crispy

Unfortunately I’m in the same boat. I’m in Glasgow and have been hunting for some time with no success. If I ever find anything I’ll let you know. Good luck

Cool, this all sounds very helpful. I do think I’m guilty of a few if not most of the things mentioned (enthusiasm and all that). I’ll give it another bash (or light tap) and see where it takes me. Thanks all for the tips and pointers.

Ok I’ve been playing with my tools and the only tutorials I’ve had are the YouTube videos or Tandy videos. I’ve made a pattern for a belt (or part of one) inspired by thistles. I’ve started a sample piece from the side of leather (7-8 oz.) and need some pointers if anyone would be so kind. The leather is misshaping while I tool it, should I glue it to anything and if so to what with what. (The leather is thick enough to be a belt so the back will be the finished side, unless anyone can tell me of a better technique) Is my pattern to fine? I don’t know if I’m attempting to mush to soon. The back-grounding doesn’t want to stay level after tooling. Any other observational tips would be great. Cheers

Love it! Really nice job, I can't wait till I'm making things of this quality.

With the stitching I assume I would use the stitching wheel followed by the awl to make the holes or would it be this fork-like chisel I've seen so many of. (Did I mention I don't really know what Im doing ). Also (not sure if this is a travesty or not) Ive dyed shammy leather with wood stain before for a quick prop helmet I made that turned out very uneven but this added character. Is wood dye a big no no (also never sealed it but seems fine).

Cheers. I ran through you'r gallery and would love to do something along the lines of you'r oak leaf or book cover. I just bought a bulk of stamping tools (pear shader's etc.) and am running through the Tandy website for leather, swivel knife and hole punches.

Hi Just wanted to introduce myself. Im Chris Poole (Chris P - Crispy get it and Im from Scotland. Im a model and prop-maker just about to graduate and have alway wanted to take up leatherwork (one more string to the bow can never hurt). Ive been looking around you're forum with my jaw permanently dropped. Ive never really had any experience at anything along these lines and am still learning what half the tools I need are so will be asking many questions that I'm sure most of you will face palm out of disbelief over (please bare with me). If anyone could give me a list of first step kit (absolute must buy's) that I need that would be a great help.