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I don't know what color bike it's going on, but a really, really deep midnight blue is a very nice alternative to black. As is a very dark, almost black, red. Not that I personally think there's anything wrong with black : ) Of course, a customer who wants black wants black. It's just one of those 'upsell' options you could use when negotiating the details. I usually talk people out of brown because I prefer to work with black. But I have to make a little kid's bag out of glow-in-the-dark bright green. THAT will be interesting. The only part I'm looking forward to is sewing it with some awesome white Nomex cord that I got at a garage sale - 7 big spools for $5! That seat's a beauty! Tammy

Thank you! Leatheroo, I was happy to see you here! Although there seem to be quite a few leather mask makers in the world, they don't seem to gather in many of the same places. Are your masks on the Mask Makers Web too? Alex, your wrist bands are lovely! Do you have pictures of your earlier, heavier wrist bands? I tend to like things that are 'too heavy'. Hence the 7-8 oz. masks : ) Kate, your game boards are AMAZING! Do you find time to play chess in addition to all the work that must go into making the board? I hope you're all having a wonderful week-end! I'm taking a break while the dye dries. This is much better than pacing : ) Tammy

Hi Soybomb, This is where I buy all my supplies. They usually have several pinks in stock, but I've also had them order colors for me. If you call, ask to talk to Patrick - he's the buyer. They're usually super-busy though, so e-mail is probably easiest for him/them. www.macphersonleather.com info@macphersonleather.com Good luck! Tammy

Drac, Thank you SO MUCH for this wonderful tutorial! I've been staring at a blank dowel for about two weeks, trying to decide how to cover it for a very special mask on a longerette that I've been thinking about. If you're familiar with Siouxsie Sioux, it'll be based on a white face picture of her with a red feather on the side. This is the PERFECT way to finish this particular mask. After I figure out how to actually do it, that is. It'll be a birthday gift for my best friend : ) Very few people are willing to share that level of detail, I've found. I always tell people who ask how I do everything, and even show them the 'tools' which aren't tools that I use. I'm frequently criticized by friends for 'giving away too much information', but all of the images posted in this wonderful board prove that even working with the same medium - and often the same techniques - we all create our own unique items. Thanks again! Tammy

He might look scary, but really he's not. Gargoyles are guardians, not demons. Tammy

Thanks! After looking at it all day myself, I was excited to post a picture - but I didn't realize how plain it looks until looking at the picture again. Here's an in-progress picture of the interior: I was just looking at your beautiful work on your website. Although I've always admired the carving people do, I've never been inspired to do it myself. Your work may have just changed my mind : ) Tammy

This cute little belt pack is a custom order for my favorite barista. He needed something to hold his cell phone, multi-tool and three pens. The overall design is based on my 'Mini Messenger' bag. He designed the interior layout. My camera battery died immediately after taking one completed shot, so you can't see the front pocket under the flap or the 'secret' back pocket (mostly to keep the multi-tool from poking him in the back). It's made from a really supple economy-grade oil tanned leather, hand sewn using two needles and beeswax-coated heavy nylon thread, poor quality nickel rivets (anyone know where to get GOOD quality ones, short of making them myself?) and too much coffee. I have to deliver it in a few minutes. It's just a prototype, but hopefully he'll like it as-is. If not, I think I'll use it myself. Tammy (Hopefully this image is the correct size and won't shut down anyone's dial-up... I apologize in advance just in case it isn't. I'll check it after posting and delete it if it's too big).

That's lovely! I looked at your website and all of your masks are wonderful : ) Did it airdry as hard as if you'd dehydrated it in the oven? Just curious. Tammy

Thank you, all! It'll take me a few posts to figure out how all the little buttons and gadgets work, and how to reply to an individual rather than at the bottom of the thread, but it'll come together. I've been looking through pages of posts, images, websites, etc. and now I'm wondering how I'll ever find time to actually make things again! : ) Tammy

Thanks for welcoming me to the board! I would like to donate something for your Ben Hamilton Memorial Scholarship Fund Fundraiser. Let me know the best way to proceed - if you want to wait until you've set a date, I can send it closer to the date so you don't have to store it until then. I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. I also lost a dear friend in a motorcycle accident. I think it's awesome that you're organizing this event. Tammy

Hello Everyone! I've been a leatherworker since October 2003. I'm entirely self-taught, with early guidance from "The Leatheworking Handbook" by Valerie Michael, tons of advice from the wonderful sheathmakers over at KnifeNetwork, and more trial and error than you probably care to imagine. Currently, I specialize in one-of-a-kind sculpted masks, hand sewn bags and custom tool cases. I say 'currently' because who knows what it'll be next! Last month I made my first pair of shoes... My website can be found at www.tcleathercraft.com, if anyone is interested in taking a look. Quite a few really cool things have been sold without being photographed, so if I have a 2008 resolution, it's to be better about photographing my work before it gets away. I got a little Canon Elph digital camera last month, which will definitely help : ) Anyway, I'm very happy to have found all of you here! Tammy R. Clammer TC Leathercraft