Regis

Patrice, I too am learning and, like you, I would do better and then worse like you said. Other than continuing to practice, the one item that has made a noticable improvement is an angle blade. I can keep the S-knife more upright as I cut. That seems to make it easier to "swivel" for me. There is no magic and I'm not real good yet but, it feels and looks smoother as I continue to practice. Best of luck to you. Regis

Kate, Very nice and particularly neat peice of artwork. Do you use dye or paint for the black? If dye, you've done extremely well to get the edges so consistantly straight. Regis

Clay, Just great. I'm particularly taken by the eye detail. How small/large is the eye? Regis

Clay, Good idea about working one along with her. I did learn a valuable lesson though and I will put a LOT more emphisis on learning to carve well first. I learned that without good (or even any) carving, that painting on leather works and turns out a nice picture. So, for me, I'd rather have a carved figure that stands on its own in one color, dye or antique. And then, if appropriate add accents in color. For a painters like my sister, leather is just another canvas. Regis

While visiting sister (6 hour drive), I showed her that I was learning to carve leather. She is and extremely talented artist (painter) and I though she could give me a few tips on color and blending. I wipped out a cougar I'd carved (3rd of the same one). Only really had the outline carved and a few modeling marks. It was pretty dry. In about 5 minutes, she painted a cougar. I could have cut a straight line in the leather and she would have made it look like a cougar. AND, I didn't learn a thing (this trip). She's a sweetheart but, I will be careful of how/what I ask about someting I'm working on. I'll have to figure out how to get simple "show me slowly" answers out of her. Soooo, beware of fast, talented, helpful people. :biggrin: Hopefully one day I'll get one that looks as good as her's!

Clay, It is simply beautiful work. I think because it has the shorter ears and puffier snout of a pup, that it can be at "first glance" viewed as a bit of bear-like look. The paw made it clear for me right away but many may not know feet. (Those trapping years of mine in the 50's still have me looking at feet and foot prints). Thanks for continuing to show us high quality work. Regis

Well, funny you should mention that (as I'm trying to remove bits of glue along the edge of a simple creditcard holder I just put togather last night.... Lesson learn't Regis

Clay, That's quite a guide. I see where you put an acrylic sealer on after the white. Then applied another antique coating. Can you simply interchange these water and spirit based products like that (when they are dry)? Thanks for the lesson, Regis

Looks great. Is the lacing decorative or actually fastening purse togather? Regis

For projects that need assembly (boxes, folders, cases, etc) when is the right time to dye and and antique? Is there coloring that will prevent or interfere with gluing or stitching? Or should all finishing be done before assembly (except perhap edges). I'm more inclined to use spirit or oil than acrylic but, am interested in impacts on glue & stitch joints. Lot of folks using various coloring and finishing products and I'd appreciate any discussion of these. Thanks, Regis

Well, I'll just have to set that on a shelf then as a conversation piece. The extra swivel knife is good to have anyway. Thanks for lettin' me know what it is/was. Regis

Picked up few used tools today and one was a swivel knife but, rather than a normal blade, it had a delrin (nylon-like) tip. It is rounded, blunt nosed on one side and straight edge on other. Looks like it was purposely made to use in the swivel knife. Don't see it in the catalogs that I have. Any ideas? Perhaps intended to carve some pattern in or?? Curious, Regis

I know that Florida has same/similar program. I know of one master wood carver that participated. Master & student must apply togather. Regis

I've spent hours watching leatherworking video's for a few days now and want to communicate what I perceive. Background: I've had the "basic book in a kit" for a couple months now. I bought some other tools and supplies and was going nowhere until I found this forum. I jumped in with a few questions and got prompt help which mostly led almost immediately to another question. There is just tooo much to learn in the beginning to ask a complete question. Last week Clay completely amazed me and took my carving project step-by-step putting pictures online and showing with great detail exactly what to do (for that project and a few more). I'm not in an area where there are classes, guilds, or others to help (like a lot of beginners). Reading where it say to "dampen but, not too much" or "strop knife and cut smoothly rolling the swivel knife between......" . I wonder how many folks have lost out and just threw their kit in a junk closet in frustration. Back to the video's: Now as I've watch the videos (thanks to this forum and Hide Crafter's sale) I am really understanding the basic book and much of the discussion on this forum. I can see that casing and what "smoothly drawing knife" really mean. I am understanding the basic work because I have watched enough to know what the process at least "should" look like. When I ask a question in this forum now, I'll have a better chance of understaning the answer (or multiple answers). I've ordered some of the more detailed reference books that have been recommended here and will be able to use them because they will build on fundementals that I've actually seen done. Now it will take time for me to develop skills and how high a quality I'll be able to reach is a different story but, I am excited at moving forward and not frustrated because I have a basic question every 5 minutes. And I have learned that there is a group of really great folks here that are eager to encourage and help even with those of us that are struggling just to get started (and not just helping other pro's in the profession). Thanks to the moderators and talanted leather workers that make this forum work. Regis

Thanks for all the tips. Looks like I'll try 'em all and see what sticks. Regis

As I am edging more and more into carving, I'm curious about tracing process. Books tell me to trace object onto clear tracing film and then onto cased leather. That sure works but, is that what most folks do, especially for "one-time" designs (or practice in my case)? Just want to know if I should order and keep ordering film supplies or just use readily available things, especially for one-of's. Thanks, Regis

I have also bought a lot from IJS over the years and like them. I even went well out of my way on a trip out west 7-8 years ago just to visit the people at the store in Gallup. Folks have always been helpfull and nice to work with. Glad to see others have found the same. Regis

There is a neat $3 jewelry tool called a Bezel Roller that would do this extremely well for this. It has a well polished end that is used to push/roll gold or silver against a stone. If there is a jeweler supply near you, this is an easy solution. Here is picture

Clay, You've done a magnificant brief tutorial and I am greatful. It really clears up much for me. With help getting off the ground like this I better do well. I had planned on learning sound and attractive design and assembly but, I'm getting pretty hooked on carving. I'll finish the one I'm doing tonight and start a new one tomorrow evening (with a lot more in my bag of knowledge) thanks to you. Johanna, Thanks so much for posting/hosting Clay's slides. Regis

Clay, That sure does help and I see what you mean with double beveling. Those wooden dowels are a great idea for all kinds of texturing. I've actually cut similar things on drill rod to create/match effects to stamp on gold & silver. Wood is much easier and I could easily make them to fit many situations as I go. I will have to learn a lot more about using modeling tools though. On the last picture, in the lower right, is that what you do with checkered figure carving matt tool where figure meets the sky (earlier post)? Once again, thanks, Regis

Clay, Thanks a lot and you and wildrose are telleing me exactly what I need to learn. I'm still at learning many basics. For example, I think you were pointing out foreground and background beveling. I 'think' I got into trouble right away by beveling toooo hard everywhere. Should I be beveling very little in foreground and deeper in background? Or should I make the distinction by fading wider (like you said toward the sky)? Or am I confusing this with changing to matt beveler that you mentioned for background > sky? I did get a little sloppy on the tracing (particularly leg and tusks). Yep, one overzelous wack in the eye!!! I don't understand the double beveling you mentioned where the feet hit the ground??? Once I finish this elephant (with all its flaws) I'll make a new one with what I'm learning here. With this scene having at least 7 or so levels of depth perceptions (foreground to background), this is really difficult for me. And making me think of and learn a LOT more than simply outlining and slightly highlighting. It sure would be nice to be able to show all the details and dimension before any dye/painting. Then use color just a little to compliment highlights and shading. Thank you again, Regis

Thanks wildrose. I smoothed out the bevels but, I think I have them tooo narrow and probably need to widen or flare out more...somehow. Look a little too pronounced around the outside edge. Here is a little further and with a little more texture. Elephant-update1 I'm beginning to see that it will be difficult to determine when to stop texturing. Thanks, Regis

Thanks for the tool suggestions. I don't have them now but, looked in catalog and can certainly see where they will help. Using what I have and improvising a little, here is scan where I am at this point. Any comments to improve look would be appreciated. This is practice and actual elephant size is about 3" X 4.5" Elephant-early cuts and texturing Thanks, Regis

Here is a link to an elephant and I'm trying to learn how to create textured look. Link shows original photo and then converted to grey greyscale. QUESTION: After carving outline & main lines, what approach would you take? Would you use a knife or stamp or some combination to get the textured look on the elephant? If using stamp(s) can you give me some startoing idea(s). Or, would you go the other route and use coloring (dye/acrylic)? Elephant-pic Appreciate some thoughts and help. Regis

1. check connection to pc 2. turn scanner off for 30-45 seconds and then turn on. ...should hear beep/sound on your pc when you turn on/off 3 if those don't work, you'll probably have to re-install (software)