Beret

In my experience, it just mutes the colors a bit and fills in cut lines and textures. It doesn't change the color.I use either a dark brown or a black gel. Eco-flo. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0057Y3NLW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00 I brush it on heavily from the lines, then outward, let it sit for a few seconds, and then gently smudge it off with a soft cotton cloth

I like it a lot! Great color. Have you considered applying an antique gel over the paint? It can really help to fill in a lot of those itty bitty spaces and add a lot of depth and bring out the tool work on top of the paint color.

Hahaha, well thank you. A couple more that went out last week: And these should be arriving in Canada today or tomorrow.

It's a really murky subject area, and there's precedent for taking it a number of ways. And it's a really tough area to navigate. But in general, if someone asks me for something inspired by a favorite movie, character, book, etc I will make it... Key word inspired. I won't recreate/copy,/etc. But I'm careful that the designs are all original, I store and maintain my graphic files which demonstrate that it was drawn by me from scratch, and I'm meticulous with my invoices and the wording in my consults. For example, in many instances, collage art is exempt from copyright restrictions due to the nature of the composition.

Thanks, yeah I've spoke with a couple attorneys about it and the general consensus is essentially that as every piece is individually designed for and commissioned by the buyer, the onus can be thought to primarily fall on them, each is a one-off and that the pieces are intentionally transformative enough to be, in general, ok. But I agree, it's a sticky area,

Thanks so much guys. This is what's on my desk right now... Carved, edges are burnished, just waiting on some color before being mounted to the base,

Ha! Been at it about 2 years, have been selling for about a year, but I've grown the business over the past 6 months months so... Still a pup, yeah. But my crazy dog people niche is all over it. And... thank you. I put A LOT of time etc into the design work.

Looking for some input as to the preferable method of logo stamping into latigo and bridle leathers. In the market to have a stamp made, and wondering whether a regular arbor press + stamp, or a heat embosser + stamp would be the better route to go. Any advice is much appreciated!

Thank you all! Thank you! I use a combination of Angelus and Eco-Flo, depending on what I need the consistency to be. I will mix/blend the two together as well. I've found that I get better opaque coverage with Angelus, but eco flo blends better for gradients, etc. My metallics are eco-flo and then for some, I do some light antiquing over the paint with either the dark brown or black antique gel. I finish with fiebings acrylic resolene top coat.

Another couple heading to Canada today

I think that most people in the market for leather dog collars are well aware that the leather used is an animal product. And if those browsing your products are at all influenced by someone quite literally pointing out the obviously... Well... Maybe they should stick to the cheap nylon petstore varietal. I just think it's quite a stretch to fear that someone asking a fairly benign question about alternate materials is going to hurt the market for custom leather collars.

Eh, there are a couple well-known collar makers who use "vegan" leather alternatives. I didn't get the impression that she was being rude or troll-y, just that she liked your work and was actually wondering if you use those materials as well. They handle more as textiles than leather. It's often actually a weather-resistant vinyl affixed to a synthetic core to give it more substance and that consistency of dense strap leather. I would just explain to her that while they're often marketed to bear a similar name, the materials are quire different and at this time, that isn't a material you are working with.

Ditto this. I also finish my painting with a thin acrylic resolene top coat. I've put my collars through hell too, and no cracking, etc. Fun tip: Saliva is an excellent emulsifier, even after the paint has dried....

Thank you! That means a lot. Sounds like a pretty solid deal. My man thing's contribution to my work is letting me take over a bedroom as studio space.

That's really the step I've been trying to tackle at this point. That and combating this weekend case of developing carpal tunnel. Apparently hands and wrists don't appreciate 9 hours of straight tooling and painting in an afternoon 3 days in a row. Go figure.

Oh, wonderful thank you!!!

Great to know! I've been poking around those presses a bit. Do you use it primarily with veg tanned, or have you tried it on a latigo or bridle-type too? That's my primary concern... Getting in the supplies and having the stamp done, only to have it not make enough of the impression in the more heavily-oiled leathers. I use 9/10oz latigo and double shoulder bridle from Zack White.

And nekkid leather:

Hi all! My website is finally up and running, and I've been pretty busy. The panels are tooled in veg tan, then hand painted and finished and mounted to a latigo or bridle bass with solid brass hardware. I do all the design work and patternmaking in AI and then make my patterns Right now, I'm running about a 4 month wait list and working on developing the business model a bit more. Currently shopping around for makers stamps and presses to stamp the collar tongue. Would love any input! Very interested in the Hex N Hit stamps out of Thailand. http://www.bullyflop.com/ Thanks!

Hello there! My first passion is dogs. I also have a mild (ahem), generalized leather collar lust. I've always fawned over and appreciated the beauty and craftsmanship of leather collars. And I had always admired from afar. However, I recently got bit by a crazy bug to dive in with my own hands and really learn the craft for myself. So, I promised myself that I can't buy any more custom leather dog collars until I've learned how to make my own. I've always been creatively-minded and not-terrible when it comes to artistic ventures. My primary interest here is tooling/carving. I've been actively lurking on the forum, reading everything I can. I recently picked up a deluxe starter kit from Tandy and have slowly been working my way through all the projects in an effort to teach myself how to use the basic tools and to become acquainted with the medium. So far... I'm hooked! Anyways, just wanted to pop in and say hello. Hopefully before too long, I'll have a piece to be shown off here. But until then, it's practice, practice, practice and read, read, read!