TomSwede

Yep, I'm around here somewhere, sometimes like a ghost;-) but I did reply in the other thread and also we have a bit of private conversations from time to time. It is good this topic is up reminding me that when I get time and money I need to re-establish some of my techniques and adapt them to work with the new eco-flo line. Tom

Absolutely gorgeous!! Like Bob said about the turned edges, makes it look superclean. Tom

Absolutely great looking bracer Josh!! The tri-weave seem to work very well with black and very nice touch with the concho. Edges look fine too and it should be very sellable I think. Tom

Heres a little sumting I wrote up about mixing red n yellow for orange http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...4&hl=orange Tom

You're a very generous man John!!! Tom

Congratulations Crystal!!! You did an job with the swan!! I like swans, in viking mythology they represent the earthly figure of the valkyrie maidens. You nailed the caving and feathers very well, the colouring is also very beautiful and well done!!! I love it!! Tom

Like I said, it is a very impressive first bracer and carving looks great!! I'm so curious about seeing a skull now ;-) Cheers!!! Tom

I'm with John about opening the topic but have to say that this is what I'd prefer to wear personally but black t-shirt an..hmmm..would you belive me if I told you I'd like red leather on top;-) Cool shirts Kevin, your design rocks!!! Tom

Boring?? Depends on what customer is seeking!! I think it looks excellent, very clean and elegant and love the gator/croc hide. Less is more and the very nice braiding makes it stand out very well! I love this seat, professional to the bone!! Tom

I'd like to point out that what I do in my tutorial is to let the antique stain sit at least overnight and dry thoroughly, then I go over it with the moist cloth. This procedure smears it out rather than takes it off so you should not use the normal technique where you wipe all off. I have no idea how this technique will work with other antiques. What I used in the tutorial was Fiebing pro oil red dye first and after that was thoroughly dried I applied a rich layer oh Tandys old mahogany. It sits quite much on top of the leather when I'm done wich is also why I applied a rich coat of Fiebings leathersheene. I think the leather sheene can be buffed to a more natural shine than other acrylics I've tried and seem to withstand water quite a bit if leather gets wet. I've never tried Fiebings stains so I can't have an opinion about that. How about adding red dye to the stain to avoid the pinkish?? My guess is that black will turn it just darker pinkish but that is only a guess. Try with some scraps to see how it will turn out and REMEMBER write down the mixtures when you try. I use one of those lab thingies that you suck up the dye with and it is measured in milliliters wich is very good when you need to write it down. Sidenote: adding red dye to Tandys old mahogany makes it sort of jelly like consistency, maybe stuff like that happens with Fiebings oxblood too?? Tom

Thanks Roo!!! Cheers (it's whisky today, Ray got some Laphroaig in the backrooms;-) Tom

Ha ha yeah my opinion on comfy might be a little odd to others. Above freezing point means t-shirt and shorts;-) Laphroaig is great but I hold Ardbeg 10 for my favorite!!! I also got to taste Lagavulins oldest sherrycask whisky straight out of the cask last year. It can't be bought so that was a great experience and very much like falling in love;-) Cheers Ray!!!

I love your tools!! Looks so much nicer to use than the el cheapo ones! Tom

Hello Jens and welcome to the board! Ein bier bitte;-) This place is great for learning, read posts, ask questions and don't be shy to show off your work. The atmosphere is very friendly around here and people is allways willing to share and help with their knowledge. Tom

Awww I'm bawling... I was there last may (excellent weather and comfy temp) and I'm just dying to get back this May but no money to do that...the whisky...the whisky.... Gotta go have a dram right now!!! Tom

Some ten years ago I bought a small leatherbracer with machine pressed embossing and thought it'd be possible to do just that by hand and prolly better looking too so surfed around the net and saw all the westernsaddles and belts and such and even some of the tools. Couldn't find any tools in Sweden at that point so I used a hobbyknife and a piece of metal I found in my toolbox to carve and stamp with. Came out pretty cool I thought at that point , lol. Anyways it was a bracer and all my friends thought they wanted carved bracers too and then I met a guy who sells stuff at markets. He bought a copy of my first bracer and also directed me to a store in Sweden with the proper tools to buy and since then I have done..eh..hm prolly about 80-100 bracers and the other stuff I made is posted here. I did have a break for about three years due to neckpains from leatherwork. Tom

Good looking bowstand!!! The poor lacing excused due to the stressfactor, I think it is a great job with a 2 hour deadline. What is the height of it?? I may do one myself one day, I got an invitation to do a demo at the local archery club someday and this would be interesting to bring with me. Tom

Yeah Sis!! That is excellent looks as usual. I just love the way you make your leaves look so natural and the rest is top notch too!! Lillebror

Thank you Crystal!!! Yeah sometimes you gotta give a little extra, customer is generous this time;-) Tom

Hi and welcome to the board Vreedonsett!!! I'm sure you have noticed the amazing plethora of leathercrafters around here ranging from amateur to expert level. Most of us are very inclined to help out so don't be shy to ask questions. Studying posts can give answers to many questions too. Hope we'll get to see some of your work, we love pics!! Tom

Nice belt cuda!! I'm sure your son is really proud of it. Tom

Fine looking purse!!! I like the mixture between backgrounded areas and hair on hide. The rope handles are cool to. Tom

Cool and well done little carving!! Tom

Excellent as allways!!! Tom

Very good looking purse Josh!! I like the x-lacing on the back and all the detail you got into it. Looks really well planned and professional! Tom