faceOdd

Oh, and I use thin strips of oil tanned leather for the ties which are riveted in place. A square knot keeps it from sliding, but is easy to undo also. I've tried ribbon and elastic, but I prefer the leather. I cut them against a straight edge, a little wider at the top and narrowing as it goes. I also put one additional small hole in each leather strap, just at the edge of the mask on each side, for displaying it on a wall using two small finishing nails or similar. They can also be mounted to a background and hung in a coffee shop, for instance, using the little holes. ~Tammy

Hi Tom, I use Angelus brand acrylic leather paint, applied with an ordinary kitchen sponge. I wet, form, bake and then hang-dry my masks before painting. As soon as the paint is dry enough to touch, I use a boxwood burnisher on all of the edges (which I bevel during the cutting process). I've found that using this type of paint leaves my masks (5-6 oz. ) flexible enough that they can be manipulated to fit someone else's face if they're too tight or too loose somewhere, and they can be crumpled up and will 'bounce back' into their original shape with a little help. As far as water-sealing them, I don't add anything else. In the past year this has not been a problem, nor have I had any feedback from customers expressing any issues with water. I do warn people not to shower in them, because you never know... but my aviator helmets are painted first, water-formed second. They do take longer to dry, but no problems so far. I still have the first one, which I made in May of last year, and I wear it often. Mostly I began using acrylic instead of dye because there are no fumes and I don't have to open the window; I don't have to wear gloves because the acrylic washes off, whereas I had one orange fingertip for awhile because the glove ripped while dyeing something British tan; I don't have to apply sealers and worry that somehow the color will still find a way to come off onto someone's face or clothes; and I paint several layers of color using the same little piece of sponge, adding lots of depth and color that stays put while incurring very little overhead and contributing only slightly to the landfill issues. The sponges I use are the yellow ones with a green scratchy surface. I cut them into strips and then cut the strips into squares that are just big enough to cover the bottle opening. Holding the scratchy part, I put the sponge over the opening and tip the bottle upside-down to get the paint onto the sponge. I've had very good results with this method. I know this doesn't answer your question about airbrushing, but after painting so many Army trucks with a paint gun, I have zero desire to airbrush anything : ) ~Tammy

I'm with your son - I love this mask! Thank you so much for sharing your mask-making technique! I will do the same, since we use different thicknesses of leather and our techniques are also different. But first, I need to catch up on the paperwork side of things. It seems like either my desk is overflowing with things that need attention, or my workbench is. Someday I'll achieve balance between the two : ) ~Tammy

I missed out last time, since I just saw the the original PIF thread today. I would like to participate, if I'm not too late for the new round. What a wonderful idea! ~Tammy

Tina, That is absolutely beautiful. I know it's hard to put it out there for public critique at a show, but I really do think you should give it serious consideration. I, for one, would love to see this piece in real life. It's truly a gem. ~Tammy

I found Leatherworker.net through a link on the Puget Sound Leather Artisan's Co-op (PSLAC) page when I finally renewed my membership there. I can't even imagine how much trial and error I could have skipped, had I known about this site from the beginning! I'm certain my work would have taken a different direction from the start, and I am seeing it change somewhat already as a result. (I'm actually considering using a swivel knife!) It's a great site, and I spend much more time here than I should - but it's worth every minute. Thank you so much for all your hard work! Later this month I'll begin teaching Introduction to Leatherworking classes in my new studio space, and I will be giving every student the Leatherworker.net URL in a goody bag with coupons and other helpful resources : ) ~Tammy

Spider, that's awesome! What a great way to spend time with someone you love, and doing something you love too! ~Tammy

Corter, I've been struggling through figuring out the marketing side of things, and I'm doing ok for the most part, considering. What I really need is a web banner for a convention I'm doing in August. It's more on the web design side than print design, but I have absolutely no idea how to do it - do you? Is this something you'd consider adding to your list? Your mother will be very proud of you. This is a great way to enhance your marketing skills, while also helping people and working within your personal interests. I started out in much this same way, and some of the people I made free things for are now my good friends and returning customers. And, their needs forced my skills into directions I most likely would not have gone on my own. ~Tammy

Joseph, those are really nice! Who knows? Before long, you might be making new boots, too : ) I started working with leather to make my own boots, but somehow instead became a mask-maker along the way. Life can be very strange sometimes - in a good way! Welcome, and please keep posting your work! ~Tammy

I cheat when cutting anything with curves. I find a dinner plate, saucer, small bowl, or other similar item in the kitchen and then I use my knife blade against it as I would against a straight edge. It takes a lot of firm downward pressure on the plate or saucer to keep it from sliding, and you might want to actually mark it first with a pen so you can be sure the cut line is where you want it in case it does shift, but that's how I do it. Maybe it will help, although your edge doesn't look all that wavy to me : ) Nice work, by the way! ~Tammy

Tom, For as long as I've been working with leather, I've been determined to never use a swivel knife. Your bracers, however, might prove to be what's changed my mind. They're amazing. ~Tammy

Thank you, all, for your input, advice, and words of caution. I got the keys on Monday, moved everything in on Monday evening, set it all up on Tuesday, and then realized I'm going to need additional income between shows. On Wednesday I heard back from a high-end costume shop in a nearby neighborhood, and this coming Monday I have an appointment with the co-owner. They're sponsoring a masquerade soon, so the timing of my inquiry was good. Tomorrow I will promote my introductory class at an independant arts and crafts show that I participate in regularly. The first class will be April 26th, and the 'Grand Opening' of the showroom will be May 1st. I'll take pictures once it's all in place. Right now, it's not much to look at. I realize now how little I know about computers, marketing, and graphics design! That'll be my next big challenge. But that can wait until Tuesday : ) Have a wonderful week-end, and thank you again for all the support! It really means a lot to me. ~Tammy

So when I think I see the letters 'M M' as the teeth, I probably really am? I was trying to figure out the possible significance, since your initials didn't seem to be M's. Beautiful work, as always! I love the way you contrast textures. I finished the book you recommended. Thank you! It definitely put some things into perspective, and now I have a much more solid plan going forward! ~Tammy

This time, you have me laughing! In the way I can't help but laugh at real bull dogs because they're so serious yet silly. Very, very well done! I can't wait to see what's next! I'm trying to make beautiful things today for a costume shop, but I'm too excited about the horror convention next month. I keep inadvertently making monsters and demons : ) ~Tammy

Thanks, I'll try it. A dog mask? Of a dog, or for a dog? ~Tammy

Hello, I have a wonderful opportunity to sell my masks at a high-end retail location that specializes in masquerades. The co-owner encouraged me to sign and number my masks for collectors. I don't mind doing this, but I'm not sure what to use. A fine-tip Sharpie seems to be the logical choice, but I don't trust it to stay on the leather. My worst fear is having my backwards signature transferred to someone's face! Would Bag Kote or something designed to seal dye provide adequate protection to keep the ink in place? Or is there a better way? Thank you, and have a wonderful week-end! ~Tammy

I never thought of a camel as 'cute' before! I love him! Especially his feet, although I'm not sure why. Have you ever made Marionettes? If not, I bet they'd be amazing! ~Tammy

Very nice! I can envision this 'neo-Sheridan' style on the Headless Horseman's saddle : ) ~Tammy

Spider, maybe your ring just has to be worn with a cloak and vampire teeth to be scary : ) When you put the bead foward of the top end, does the top end tend to curl? Or do you glue it down? It seems like it would have a tendancy to curl up a bit and be possibly uncomfortable. I don't wear rings though, so what do I know? Rings in general, to me, are uncomfortable - but most people love them. I've discovered, due to my impatient nature when the leather supply store is closed, that you can make some of your own 'hardware' with wire, a ball peen hammer and an anvil or some other thing to pound the wire flat on. (My anvil is a piece of railroad track that my carpenter/blacksmith friend ground down into a cute little anvil for me). I use flattened wire collars to attach all sorts of things. If the inside is hammered completely flat, and then sanded to remove any burrs, it can be very comforable. I make scrap leather chokers with rusty washers and other things I find in the street this way, but unfortunately I don't have any pictures of them at the moment. I make other things from scrap leather, too. Next week I'll try to post some pictures. I've taken on way too many things (again!) at the moment, but it'll slow down a little on Tuesday. Have a great week-end! ~Tammy

Hi Linda, This is just a guess - but have you tried sandpaper yet? I've never worked with gesso in conjunction with leather, but I've sanded leather before to remove a finish that turned out hideous. Very fine sandpaper clogs up quickly, but adding a little water helped and didn't leave the surface too terribly scratched up. I tried to reply to your post over at Mask Maker's Web last week, but for some reason was unable to log in over there. I was going to recommend Leatherworker.net - I'm happy to see you found it on your own! Welcome! BEAUTIFUL masks, by the way : ) ~Tammy

Sorry for the delay in response! My post was moved and I just stumbled upon it today. TomSwede, you may be interested to know that 'West Nile' was bought by a nice young man who had a special affinity for it because his ancestors were immune to the Black Plague, and so they were 'Plague Doctors'. His story gave me chills! I may not make the original design now, out of respect. Cybertracy, I haven't tried a bat with wings yet because a lot of other mask-makers have already done this - but maybe I can think of a way to make it somehow unique. It'll be a fun challenge! And a fox... I'll give that a try, too. Thank you for the suggestions! Banwell, thank you SO MUCH for the top hat information! I'll start working on this soon. Are there any good hat-making books you can recommend? Many people want to custom-order my aviator cap, but I don't know how to make my little hat pattern larger in such a way that it'll still fit a larger head properly. Especially when they say they wear 7 1/4 or whatever. Pip, thank you for the compliment! At the moment I'm pursuing an insane plan to open a tiny storefront and classroom location - I get the keys on Monday! As soon as I get the extra stuff out of my workshop, I'll be able to make masks again. Right now, all I can get to is the computer : ) ~Tammy

Wow, you've all been incredibly helpful! Thank you! I printed this entire thread so I can refer back to it in the future. Art, the space is 'off the beaten path' as they say, but it's a shiny new building in a rusty industrial setting. The locals all know where the building is, although getting them to come there will be up to me. My insurance will be a one-year policy; I can't find a shorter term, but in a way, I like the fact that it's one year. If it were short-term and I had a bad day - or a bad week, it might cause me to begin thinking short-term as well. The rent remains month-to-month, and that's the more difficult part to come up with on a monthly basis. Class size of 4 is currently based on the fact that the 'classroom' portion of the space is a mere 9 1/2' wide by 16 1/2' long. I envision a 6' table lengthwise in the middle of the room, with 4 people seated around it and all the tools, supplies, first aid, etc. in the little alcove created by the two steps into the space. The back 'wall' is a garage door, so the classroom space can be fully ADA accessible without the steps. Maybe it'll actually be comfortable for 8, around 2 4' tables arranged crosswise. I get the keys on Monday, and I have all the tables I need already so I can experiment a bit. I'm thinking tiny classes more often might be a good way to go, especially since I'd like to create a 'bridge club' type atmosphere where people return to make new projects based on the seasons. Masks in early October and January, jut before Halloween and Mardi Gras, for instance. I naturally 'think think think' and analyze everything, but I never thought of it in terms of Winnie the Pooh! : ) People look at me and say, 'Your mind just never stops, does it?!' Kevin, the book is on its way. If you meant I should read it first before renting the space, it's too late - but my personality type is such that I frequently put myself intentionally in situations that are way over my head and then I learn how to make them work. I love overcoming challenges and finding interesting ways of accomplishing things, and I also love to draw people together in beneficial ways. Ian, I already have the fixtures, which is what started this whole crazy idea. I've done several versions of floor plan on graph paper and the only thing I'll need to outfit the two little rooms is a coffee pot : ) Essentially, I'll have a 10x10 convention-style booth set up at all times in the front room, and my finished products will be 'on display'. Mostly what this means is that I'll be able to see how they look, what I still need to make, and that they'll actually be ready to go. I have a tendency to not entirely finish them until the day before - or sometimes 3am day of - the next show. If I just have to pack them, instead of attach straps to them, it'll make life much nicer! I'll be thrilled if I sell things from the shop, but mostly I want to teach the classes. And, I'm the first to admit that I only know how to do the things I'm interested in. I've already started hunting for guest instructors who specialize in the things I don't know how to do. There's another leatherworker in the building next door, but he doesn't seem to have a website. Tomorrow I plan to visit him to make sure I don't cause his business any negative impact in any way. Ideally, I'd like to refer people to him when they want the things I don't wish to make. David, I think the little building you're referring to is the Alki Bathhouse, which is run by the Seattle Parks Department. I'm working on a bid to teach a class there also, since it's more prominent and a little more accessible than my space. I'd love to talk to your friend, if he's interested. For better or worse, crazy idea or great plan, I'll have the keys on Monday. And the financial responsibility, but to be honest, no matter how much money I've made in the past, I've tended to spend it on too many latte's and very expensive clothing. I'm ready to drink drip coffee and wear what I already have for awhile. Maybe I'll be too busy to bombard Leatherworker.net with my lengthy ramblings! Thanks again for your input! Tammy

Thank you so much for the input! Jordan, little arts organizations keep popping up everywhere in my neighborhood, but I'm tired of selling things on consignment. I'd rather pay rent and sell other artisans' wares and give them 60% instead of the standard 50-50 split. I have to check to see if this is ok with the landlord, of course. And as far as daycamp, I was thinking it would be a good place where parents could drop their kids off for 6 hours a day, one week sessions at a time, and the kids could come home excited about leatherworking and with lots of little completed projects. I've taught a few one-on-one sewing classes at parents' requests, but it seems like it would be more fun - and financially beneficial - with a small group of students. Roo, good point about the utilities, but luckily they're included in the rent. I'm in the process of getting insurance quotes at the moment, and the bad thing is that I won't be able to get a short-term policy to match my possibly short-term rental. Insurance will be a one-year policy. Depending on how much it is, it may crash my little dream... for now. Luckily, I haven't paid the deposit yet. Taxes will definitely be higher, but there is more potential to make money with the space than I have at my home. I'll still do the big shows, and if the trend continues, that's where the 'extra' money will come from to pay the taxes, my coffee addiction, etc. Alex, I hadn't even thought to look into what the SBA had to offer. I bookmarked their page and will read through it this afternoon. My ultimate goals with the space are to heavily promote Puget Sound Leather Artsian's Co-op (PSLAC), MacPherson Leather, Leatherworker.net, other artisans' works and of course my own little creatures. Over the week-end I must have written the url for leatherworker.net on four dozen business cards... there may be a flurry of new members soon! But my selfish reason for all of this is that I want an ongoing display of my little creatures so I can sit back and admire them. Vain, I know... but I'm a Leo! Thank you again for your input! I'll let you know how it turns out. ~Tammy

Hello, I've been successfully selling my wearable art masks and hand sewn bags at arts and crafts shows, art parties, conferences and large conventions since last October. Many people have asked me where my store is and/or if I teach classes. While trying to figure out where to put all the wire walls and shelving from the week-end's large convention, I had an idea. Today I found a small but expensive space that would be perfect as a little showroom/storefront with a somewhat larger room attached that would be perfect for a class size of 4. It's along the street that leads to an extremely popular beach, and with the weather getting nicer, traffic will be heavy in that direction soon. It's month-to-month and the deposit is fully refundable after six months. Without one class of 4 per month, I can't afford the space. I've already put out inquiries to see how much community interest there is, but 4 people per month doesn't seem that difficult to pull off. I'm either really naive or exceptionally optimistic! Both are potentially dangerous... : ) The space is for artists, hobbyists and small businesses. It's not zoned for retail per se, but people are allowed to conduct their business from the space. They just can't post hours of operation; customers are by appointment or whenever it's convenient to be 'open'. I really need a place where I can do custom fittings for masks, and there's 220 power so I can have a small oven onsite for drying my masks. The floor is painted concrete, there's power, heat, running water, great ventillation, a coffee shop three doors down, a hair salon next door, and easy bus ride or leisurely 45-minute walk to and from my house. Much of the walk is along the waterfront with a beautiful Seattle skyline across the water. My questions: Have you made the transition from a small home-based business to a small retail/classroom space? If so, what things am I perhaps not taking into consideration? I know I'll need insurance to keep from getting sued, and I have to check with the city and state to see if I need a different type of business license. Other than that, what potential nightmares may lie ahead? I'm confident that I'll be able to find 4 students per month, and the class fees will cover the monthly rent. I'm planning to pay the deposit and first two months' rent so that I'll be one month ahead at all times. I have three tubs full of scrap leather that would be ideal for students to experiment with, and lots of small project ideas. I'm also thinking a week-long summer daycamp for kids would be fun, but I probably need some sort of special licensing for that. Anyway, I'm one of those utterly focused, hard-working risk-takers that finds a way to make things work. It's not common for me to ask these kinds of questions; normally I just go for it. But, it's expensive and I decided this time I'd get some advice from the pros. Thank you! Sorry for the novella; just be glad you can't hear me talking a mile a minute about all the other plans I have for the future! : ) ~Tammy

Leathercat, You did a wonderful job! I love your happy purse - it made me smile : ) ~Tammy