tbhogstrom

How do I avoid this? I didn't know I was switching direction....okay, I don't know what switching direction is.

I think you're right. The prices were more of a Hail Mary, to help pay for this somewhat expensive hobby. I try and create or work on something everyday, but much of it doesn't make it to leatherworker, let alone the blog. I'm going to alter my blog a little bit to push selling a little less. I focus on high quality materials in my blog because they are of interest to me, but I get the bigger concept. At the end of the day (well, at the point where I start selling seriously), I should be selling my skills as an artisan and designs rather than the materials I am using. Thanks for the advice and hope life isn't too crazy. I see that you're in Boston? Where?! (My brother lives in Boston and I'm there around once a month)

In Vermont, the closest drug store is 20 miles away. I also was ordering Leather from SLC and just dropped it in there.

I've been beveling with a #1, but I think I need to get a quality #2 (well, and a quality #1). Just ordered some glycerin to help with the burnishing. Thanks for the advice. I can post up some pictures, but "standard" cards fit in the wallet with about a 1/16" overhang of leather. When designing I looked at a lot of similar products but decided against a notch to make retrieving cards easier. As a side note on aesthetics, I think the notch takes away from a clean look while only providing minimal assistance in card retrieval. Like you said, feel free to disregard my designing thoughts. Thanks! Saw this, waiting for glycerin soap to come in!

Jimbob, I'm working on burnishing techniques, I really haven't gotten it down to a personal science yet. I need to read some more topics about differing techniques. Thanks for the input! Tyler

Hey all, Second project coming in: A simple card holder. I ordered some pricking irons, so my stitching should get a little more consistent when the Dixons (!!!) come in. Tell me what you think! Any comments are appreciated. Thanks, Hoggy

You sly dog. Thanks for the correction and compliment!

Mijo, Thanks! I started off by replacing the leather belt keeper with copper, then just built the belt around that. Simple lines, quality materials, and handmade. Thanks for the input! Tyler Ray, Thank you for the kind words. The real test is if someone will but my stuff.... Thanks, Tyler

So I went with the Dixon pricking irons (half inch and 2 teeth) I wanted the small wheel, but it would have come to over 200, and I just don't have the cash for that. Thanks for the advice though, and when I have the money, that small pricking wheel will be mine. Thank you for the note about overstitch wheels, I never realized so many people were....utilizing them for a different purpose (misusing). Thanks!

Hey all! Tools and leather and hardware all came in (finally). This is what I came up with got my first belt. The belt keeper is hand hammered (by yours truly) copper and I had the hardest time finding a matching copper belt buckle! Card holder next. Please let me know what you think! Thanks! -Hoggy (and my blog)

Hey all! My name is Tyler, and I'm from Killington, Vermont. I'm just starting off Leather work, but I am really excited about it. I'm looking to start a small business built around leather designs called Hoggy Leathers. I just started a blog: http://hoggyleather.wordpress.com/ I'm still waiting for my leather to come in from SLC, but I've started on my first project. I made a copper belt keeper for a belt with all copper hardware. Check them out. Front: Back:

Hey all, So I'm a new leatherworker, just getting into everything, buying all the tools and what not. I have another question (there seems to be many topics about this) about overstitchers and pricking irons. I am very into using the right tools for what I am working on. Where do I get a quality, but only moderately expensive, pricking iron?! It seems to me that some people sell pricking irons and diamond stitching chisels to be the same thing. Are they not two different tools? I am interested in buying a pricking iron that marks "/////". These markings will then be pushed through by a sewing awl. I do not want to "punch holes in a precise diamond shape" (excerpt of above link). If this not possible for a moderate price, I think I have seen overstitch wheels that mark a 45 degree line (again, '//////'). Can anyone point me in the right direction or straight up tell me "buy this one."? Sorry for the rant Tyler

Hey Corter, Funny that you posted this very recently. Your stuff is really what got me thinkin about starting in leathercraft.Your designs are simple and clean, and your craftmanship is quality and (in the best way) utilitarian. I feel like I'm finding myself in a very similar spot to where you were in 6 or so years ago; I have an unexplainable drive to design and produce qualitty (leather) products. With that in mind, where did you start? Where did first start selling what you produced? Thanks for the inspiration, Hoggy