YinTx

Was healing up just fine, and managed to send a needle into the same thumb yesterday. Interestingly, I don't tend to poke myself while actually putting the awl or a needle through the holes while stitching, but when something gets wonky and I am trying to untangle a thread or thread gets wrapped around something and snagged, that's when those lil buggers tend to inflict hatred into my digits. I use the cork method when I know I have a difficult hole to make, has worked well for me. Grey Drakkon, Thanks for that. I'm a bit concerned about the bar straps right now, they may be a wee bit too short. Time will tell when I get the bar installed. Might have to use some artistic license to accommodate it. Edges are all done, that bar is the last remaining bit... YinTx

So I've never done a figure carving before, beyond trying my hand at Sheridan Carving, and I've been trying to work out antiquing/resisting etc. So I knocked this out to have something to try a different approach at antiquing. Figure it's just about the right size for someone to set their cold can of favorite beverage on. Just thought I'd show it here for comments. YinTx

JD62, I have seen several of his videos, and this one in particular I have watched like 4 times since I have been so frustrated with the Tan-Kote. He is one of the proponents of putting on copious amounts of Tan Kote prior to antiquing. I am suspecting other's perception and my perception of copious are two different things, which is why I experimented with -thin- coats. The outcome was closer to what I had envisioned. NVLeatherWorx, I have an "experiment" in mind that is quite similar to what you are proposing. The only things I have used as a "resist" have been Tan-Kote, Clear Lac, Saddle-Lac, Resolene, and Angelus Acrylic finisher. Per my studies of Al Stohman's books, internet musings, videos, etc, I had been expecting varying degrees of resist from each, and to use each with different antique products (such as Angelus Acrylic antique with the acrylic resists/finishes, and Fiebings paste antique with the Tan-Kotes, Clear-Lacs, etc). So I intend to lay them out side by side, and see what looks I can accomplish with different combinations, etc. I hammered out some basket weave on some scrap belly with some texturing, etc today as a test bed. We'll see how it goes! And thanks much for the compliment, I was pleasantly surprised at how it came out, considering my complete lack of artistic capabilities in other mediums. That is probably destined to sit under a cold beer in my brother's garage, at 3"x3" prolly 'bout the right size for the job. YinTx

First experiment seems a bit successful... not quite where I want it, but infinitely better than what I was getting. The antique seemed to stay in the textured sections with differing degrees of tenacity. I tooled this cow skull just to see if I could, first thing I have done of this type, so don't be too harsh on the artistic quality. Here is the process I used: OTATC : Oiled with neatsfoot, treated with two layers of Tan-Kote, Antiqued with Medium Brown Fiebeng's paste, treated with Tan-Kote, then treated with Clear Lac. Here is where I did things differently: very thin layers of Tan-Kote, to where there was no shine, it almost all absorbed into the leather. In the past, I had been putting a heavy coat per all instructions, that set on top of the leather, which later peeled off. The final coat of Clear Lac was 50% thinned. I'll be doing some other trials, with different resists done different ways to see what I like best, but I am relieved to have achieved this result finally. YinTx

It seems I've either missed it, or no one has asked... what do you plan to sew mostly? I have both machines, and a lot of stuff the 4500 simply won't do for me because of the thickness, such as one layer of <4 oz leather to canvas. I suppose if you were an expert and could finagle the machine, it might do it. Otherwise, the smaller machine is the tool for the job. I even have difficulties getting the tensions right on that one with this combination. However, once you have to double up and have 2 layers of leather and 2+ layers of heavy canvas, sometimes the little machine won't step over the hump so to speak. All this being said, I am far from an expert, only having struggled to sew a few things on the machines I have. Just thought someone should pose the question "what is the intended use of the machine?" YinTx

As promised, a pic of the not so great edge, caused by trying to trim the suede only due to putting the liner in after the leather has been cut to size. Here is the last edge, dyed and ready for burnishing: Getting closer to finishing! YinTx

I've fought hard to resist the holster temptation... but I will give in eventually. Already have some blue molds... thankfully none for an old Blackhawk...or I'd have already given in! I have in my mind a holster I want for it.. but haven't seen one so I am not sure how to go about it... when I give in to the temptation, it will be fun. YinTx

I'll take a photo of a not so good edge. And I remembered that key rule, which I learned in the beginning when I was reading about stitching... at the time, I was thinking, "What are they talking about?" I soon found out. The thumb seems a bit better, so I made a little progress today, now taking a break to let the forearms recover on ice. YinTx

Looks like an ambitious project, look forward to seeing it progress. If you are seriously considering hand stitching, be ready for many many hours, as that thing looks like it has about a mile of stitching in it! Think I'd be tempted to get the machine to cooperate for a project like that. I think 4/5 oz leather would make for a heavy bag, just an opinion. Folks seem to think that a heavy leather equates to quality, so maybe go for the 4/5? Perhaps the body in 4/5 and pockets in 2/3 to reduce the weight.. YinTx

I think, as an artist, doing it right means doing it your way, which means making new rules, and new unique art. So I'd say you are doing it right. And very well. YinTx

You know, when you are bleeding, $*&t just got REAL. YinTx

While you wait...

Elizabeth, Thanks for the compliment. Since this was just supposed to be a "prototype" I used some 5 oz tandy leather I had. The liner is pig suede, and the thread is white Coats Barbour Linen 25/3. I'll probably like it well enough to use it myself, and wish I had used my Hermann Oak or Wickett and Craig leather. YinTx

Freakin awesome. Thanks for breaking all the rules. Now we can move on, tooling in freedom. YinTx

Lol. "TIS BUT A FLESH WOUND! " I was just thinking this morning as I was reading Cary Shwarz' blog, and he was discussing donating blood as it relates to leather work, and counting my blessings that I hadn't had a run in with the awl for more than a year. That was short lived! Keep safe out there, ya'll! YinTx

Yah, the 441 has me perplexed, so it sits waiting to get tuned by someone in the know. It stitches, but not up to my expectations. Perhaps they are to high. I told my little fish to cover his eyes, no gawpin and grinnin at me when I'm cussin and discussin with my leather works! YinTx

I was actually quite impressed you were able to keep it straight after going around the lettering. I manage to botch that on a regular basis. Nicely done! YinTx

The wait may be a bit longer all of a sudden. It would appear that my opposing digit and my awl are both concurrently out of commission. It seems while I was finishing the final stitches on this project: unbeknownst to me, the awl decided to mysteriously - and generously - insert itself into my right thumb. When moving to make the next stitch, the awl was violently flung from my hand, removed itself from the thumb, and bounced along the tile floor. Thankfully it chose the floor and not my leg or foot for it's landing. After I stemmed the tide of red that was leaving dots all over said tile, I retrieved the awl, cleaned it and noted the dinked point. I swear my fish knows how to laugh, because he saw the whole event and still had a sheepish grin when I returned to the room to clean the floor. So, while the bag itself has a nice wine tone hue, the thread is white, and I'd like to keep it that way on this project, so I'll have to wait until my thumb is a bit less tender, and the awl has been reshaped. Since I still haven't quite figured out how the awl and my right thumb managed to occupy the same space in time, as I was stitching with the awl in my right hand, I have a degree of fear that I may repeat the error. Hopefully not any time soon. YinTx

This leather has been sold. YinTx

Those are some tiny details. Nicely done! YinTx

Hello indeed. Beautiful craftsmanship as always, really enjoy seeing your finished works. Something for me to aspire to! YinTx

You might go through a few bags of popcorn before I finish that last section of stitching! But I'll post a few pics as I go... YinTx

I've only carved and tooled three things so far... only thing I've understood is that there are no set rules, so if you like em, keep em. I think it looks good. YinTx

I say it rocks. Your decorative cuts stand out as your own style already. Stitching is pretty good too. Just trim/melt that thread hanging out and you have a perfect project! YinTx