retiredff

is this technique very time consuming and expensive? I may look for a different color combination where I can use a hi-light stain. Thanks for the info, I will look into it. The mask looks great.

Here is my problem. I'm a retired FireFighter and have a stamp of a FireFighters Maltese cross. Normally these are RED with a silver (black may work also) outline where the deep outline depressions are. I'm trying to duplicate this color scheme on leather. For some reason this cross is baffling me. I have celtic symbols and I can see how to do these by dying a light color first over the whole stamp then block dye the raised parts. I can't figure the cross out. Thanks

I work with thin leather (3-5 oz) for the small items I am making. If the leather isn't cased will the stamp not work as well? I have an airbrush, haven't used it much but to experiment. Thanks Tony

Nope, won't work. The paint sticks to the dyed part.

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!! That's one great idea Potter. I will try it tonight. Are there any tricks to this? Will this only work with an airbrush or will it bleed if I block dye? Will the cased leather cause any issues with the tape? I thought about dying my leather a base color then using your idea, then peel away the tape then air brush. Thanks Tony

I found a tutor on block dying and I also read about reverse block dying. Is this correct: say I have a piece that has a centered celtic symbol and I want parts of it red and the rest of the piece black. 1 - dye celtic symbol red and wait till dry and buff 2 - use a lighter color of acrylic paint and daub into the design hitting mainly the lower portions of the design 3 - reverse block dye and remove the lighter color from higher parts of the design and let dry 4 - dye rest of piece black excluding the design I suppose I could also reverse this and paint the acrylic into the recessed areas then block dye the symbol? Is this correct? Should I use latex to protect the design after block or reverse dying and the symbol is done before dying the rest of the piece - just in case? Hopefully the acrylic paint will adhere to the dyed part of the symbol. Can I use any finish I want or because of the paint/dye is there something else I should use? Thanks Tony

I tried pro clear from SLC and I didn't let it dry long enough. I'm going to try tonight applying a resist to a paper town then press my 3D stamp onto it then using an arbor press the stamp into cased leather. After 24 hrs. I see what happens. I found some latex some have spoke of here, I'll get some. I'll search for block dying, I've read threads about the highlighting. Thanks for the reply. I knew there had to be a solution, I am a newb and haven't figured a lot of this out yet.

Does anyone use 3D stamps on your leather projects? If you do how do you bring them out? When I dyed the piece of leather with a stamp design it sort of disappears or blends in.

I lurked here for a while and have just started experimenting with dyes and antiquing (been practicing my stitching). Many post there work here and use 3D stamps, PARTS of the stamped area are darker from dye or antique and other parts are natural looking. Is this done with resist alone or something else I haven't discovered yet? Can I cover a project with a light color stain or dye, then resist parts then antique the whole thing? As an example; using any 3D stamp, stamp the project, apply light color dye to the whole piece, resist the areas the you want, the apply a darker dye or antique. Does this work? I read here some people water down the antique paste, I didn't realize it is water based. Maybe I should read the label. I'm really looking for ways to enhance the color of the 3D stamps I have while dying the rest of the project. If I use a stamp then dye it brown or black it almost disappears, I want it to stand out. Thanks Tony

I read this tip here: For the small tool handles, take 1 of each size to the auto parts store and buy some rubber hose that each tool will fit into fairly tight. The hose will increase the tool size.

Thanks Snubbyfan & Joe. I have gum trag, so I'll buy some saddle soap and try it. Thanks for the reply's.

Nice case, your stitching is great! what size thread and the SPI? Tony

ur welcome. The thread chart he sends is really nice, it shows all colors along one side and the different thickness at the top.

check here: http://www.mainethread.com/waxed_cord.html read the top part and send ron@... an email asking for a size and color chart, very useful!

depends on the size of the wallet and what looks good to you. Try .020 and .030, .035 might work and .040 & .045 might be ok for knife sheaths or pouches of similar size or larger items. Ask for a thread sample. They will send a nice card with all of the sizes and colors FREE. This is very helpful. I also use their thread.

I could also use my airbrush to apply the clear-lac and SLC sells and product made by angelus for acrylic paints. I have ordered a product that Bob Blea found mentioned in a thread he was nice enough to do a search for. Hopefully I have some options to experiment with. Thanks for all of the replys Tony

Colt - I know but I live over an hour away from the nearest Michaels, and my computer is much easier. The UPS, FedX and my mailman are on a first name basis!

Thanks Bob, I found some on Amazon. Tony

Horn - I have a airbrush that I want to experiment with, I'll try that, or I may look for something else besides clear-lac as a resist that will work with the acrylic paint. Thanks Tony

I brushed on the clear-lac over the acrylic paint, the CL dissolved the paint and it smeared. Good thing this was just a test! Tony

colt - the acrylic stuck just fine to the clear-lac, BUT when I applied clear-lac over the paint... what a mess! can u suggest finish to use over the paint? THX Tony

Thanks for the detailed reply Colt. I applied some clear-lac to a test piece a few minutes ago, I will apply some paint after it dries. Thanks again Tony

I know this is an old thread but I would also like to know if acrylic paint will bond to Clear-Lac. If I then apply another coat after using acrylic paint will the Clear-Lac smear or ?? the paint? Thanks

OK, Thanks Chief.