CitizenKate

Oh yes. Low brass is my old stomping ground (former euphoniumist in two university symphony bands, among numerous other groups). I've seen accessories for euphoniums and tubas like this, but I've always kept a deerskin chamois handy when I'm handling my instrument, and just laid it across my lap when I play it. That also helps keep the valve oil and condensation off my clothing. But what the "corset" is, is just a simple soft leather wrap that goes around a single segment of tubing at the bottom of the instrument that is about 8-10" in length and ranges about 1.75-2.0" in diameter (it gradually changes in diameter). That is the one spot on a euphonium or tuba (other than the bell) that usually takes the most abuse. It needs to be made of very soft leather, and it needs to be easy to remove and replace, so the instrument can be bathed without getting the leather wet. My first idea for attaching it would be to use a soft lace with un-riveted holes. I would not want any hardware touching the finish at all. The lace could not be pulled too tightly, or the holes would tear, but to help reinforce the holes, you could double the leather over where the holes go. Veg tan may be okay on a lacquer-finished brass instrument, but I don't recommend it on a silver finish - it's pretty delicate. A nice quality (i.e., soft and supple) piece of upholstery leather, or some heavy deerskin is what I would lean towards. You may also consider a similar wrap for the narrower and shorter segment of tubing that your hand rests on, as a very acidic perspiration from the hand can wear out the finish over time. Hope this gives you some ideas... Kate

Welcome to Leatherworker.net, goot! Every good project starts with a bit of daydreaming, so it sounds like you have mastered the first step. Probably any information that's available here on the subject of wet molding leather will give you some general methods for creating your project. Aside from that, we have some people here who make armor and leather corsets, who may have already shared some very specific information about making molded leather garments. So if you haven't already, I would suggest searching our vast collection of existing posts and see what's there already. You are welcome to post any questions you may have in an appropriate category; we have lots of people here willing to share what they know and answer your questions. Glad you've joined us, and we look forward to seeing what you come up with. Kate

From Paul Burnett: "I have decided that I will try to devote at least one week a month to teaching. Each month’s seminar will last 5 days, Monday through Friday, 9am until 6pm, at my studio in Mount Jackson, Virginia. I will also have a few informal after-hours sessions during that week for problem solving and additional help. I have tentatively scheduled the first seminar for June 14 through 18, 2010. For my first seminar I chose the Victorian carving that was featured on my very first book, Pictorial Definition, of course without the title, etc. The finished size will be 11” x 14”. In order to do this I must have a minimum of 3 students for each seminar. The cost of each seminar will be $300 for each student. There are plenty of local motels with in 15 minutes of my studio, Mount Jackson or Woodstock, VA. Rates may vary, but they are somewhat modest rates of $55 to $75 a night. The quality is average or above. A list will be including in the registration package along with what you will need to bring etc. All the details haven’t been worked out as yet as I don’t know if there are any out there that are interested in such an offering. So if you are interested please email me at pburnett@shentel.net or call me at 540-477-2065. I realize this might look like a “scary” piece for someone just beginning leather carving, but I can promise you that, even for the very beginner, I can work you through it and teach you more about leather carving than you every imagined. There will be one requirement for those that are new to leather carving, that is: You will need to purchase the download of Lesson One of my Realistic Leather Carving course and do the practice exercises as much as you can before the seminar starts. This lesson has practice exercises that will help you to prepare for the seminar as well as give you an understanding of the swivel knife and the cutting phase of leather carving. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for those of you who are more experienced in carving, but not totally confident in you swivel knife skills, to study this lesson too. Perhaps you even own it. If so, you should review it."

Hi Ellen, How the strap attaches varies depending on the make of tuba. Some makes have rings welded to the body to attach a strap with just a snap hook, such as those shown here. http://www.nobcor.com/tubashoulderstraps.htm They also come in double-shoulder harnesses. For the instruments that don't have the welded rings, there is a smaller strap attachment that loops around any part of the instrument and has a ring for the strap or harness to snap-hook onto. The one shown here is a smaller one made for a euphonium: http://www.dwerden.com/talk/forum/attachments/viewattachment.cfm?attachid=273&forumid=1 Hope this helps... Kate

Nice to see what you've been up to, lately, Josh. That menu book order is definitely going to get you some exposure - the good kind! Kate

PM'ing you now... Kate

Is that some wood burner work I see, too? Regardless, I love to see fresh ideas. Keep posting, please! Kate

Welcome to Leatherworker.net AC. You're doing work like this after only 7 months? Well done! I look forward to seeing more of your work. Kate

That is a really interesting design and style of carving. Look forward to seeing it finished. Kate

Nice work, mister. Nice touch on the coloring of the koi fish and letters, and I love the nice clean carving overall. Kate

Thanks for letting us know, and sorry for the inconvenience. I've activated your account, so you should be able to log in now. Feel free to let us know if you need any further assistance. Kate

Welcome to Leatherworker.net, Ed! We look forward to your participation on the forum, and getting to see some of your work. Kate

Any of the moderators can also assist you with that, as well. Kate

Nice piece of work, Andy! I'm a big fan of messenger bags, and yours are getting better all the time. Kate

OH. MY. GOODNESS!!! WOW! That is the coolest thing I've seen done in leather since... since... well, truthfully, I can't think of anything to compare it to. It's just FABULOUS, Bobocat! Thanks for posting it! Kate

I've been buying double-capped rivets from this ebay seller. These are some other make than what Tandy sells. He claims they are better, and I agree. http://cgi.ebay.com/Quality-54-GUN-Metal-BLACK-RIVETS-LEATHER-/200464217240?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eac993498 Kate

You might be able to lightly dampen it and use a modeling tool to smooth over the marks to de-emphasize them. Other than that, they are pretty much there to stay. Kate

LOL! I suppose I should clarify... it's the MAULS that are on my wish list. I don't think I can compete with the bears. Kate

I knew I shouldn't have looked. I said to myself, "Self, DON'T LOOK." Now, I'm drooling all over the place. You're on my wish list, Ed. Kate

Hi dwhitefeather, Welcome to Leatherworker.net! Here are a couple of topics where members have shared several tips on creating templates to impress a pattern onto leather. I don't know if this is exactly what you have in mind, but you can start here. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=7405 http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=16834 Feel free to ask more questions if this wasn't quite what you were looking for. Kate

I am also a fan of the distressed/bruised/aged look. You achieved it well. Kate

It's quite easy to use once it's set up. It does take some web savvy to set it up, but judging from what you've done on your own site, I'd say you have all the necessary skills. Glad I could help... Kate

I don't use the C5 add-on for digital fulfillment. I found a better solution that is less expensive and completely automated. Take a look at Digivendor, which I've used with C5 sites, and have gotten great results. It doesn't integrate with C5, but it doesn't have to. When a customer clicks a buy now cart button, the payment is processed, then the system automatically makes their download available in a protected download area, creates a user name and password, and sends the customer the address of the download address along with their user name and password. Kate

Fine strapping lad... congratulations! What he takes away from leatherwork now, he may give back when he's old enough, and then some. Kate