CitizenKate

I usually prefer wax, but for something that will certainly be exposed to liquid, I use lacquer. The ones I've finished with Neat-Lac have been impervious to liquid and condensation from the drinks that have been placed on them. As for the backing, I would try some of that cork you can buy in sheets from Ben Franklin or Hobby Lobby. Kate

That looks kind of iridescent. Kate

Luke, what weight leather do you use that with? Kate

I ran into this problem awhile back, and although I liked the idea of using punches, some of my curves are a little complex and I could not buy enough punches for some of the curves I was doing. I chose to search for a good, all purpose pattern cutting knife. I think a round knife is probably the best solution, but not being near any dealers (so I could try them out before investing the money, as they are somewhat of an investment) I decided to see what else would also work. The knife I use now for cutting pattern pieces, and get fairly nice results with (i.e. nice clean-cut edges), is an X-acto #5 heavy-duty knife. (Click here to see one.) I'm still using the original #19 blade that came with it; I just keep stropping it, and it has held up quite well so far. By the way, I'm using this mostly on 5-6 oz. leather and lighter. For the lighter weights, you may want to experiment with the small-diameter rotary cutters. Kate

Roight! ... that is, if I can lift it that high. Kate

I second Jo's comment - very original! Thanks for sharing it. Kate

I have a set of mauls of different weights for different functions. The small ones I use for beveling and stamping tools with very small footprints. (I believe my beveling has improved because I can just let the tool fall on the stamp to get the right depth, and don't have to work as hard to control the drop.) The medium one I use for beveling with a wider bevel stamp and stamps with medium-sized footprints. The large one (which is about 20 oz) I use with larger stamps, like borders and basketweaves, or anything I want to make a deep impression. And I have a MONDO maul (that is 6lbs) for very large stamps, like my maker stamps. Mauls work much better for me than mallets. I was starting to have repetitive motion issues in my striking arm, and switching to mauls reduced the stress in my arm significantly. Kate

Lexol leather conditioner also works very well to make leather more soft and supple. It's more of a creamy liquid, so it penetrates well, and everything I've ever used it on becomes much softer and more pliable. Kate

Or try spraying on a wax finish and burnishing. Wax finishes are great burnishing agents. For flesh side burnishing, I made a burnisher from a piece of scrap MDF with a piece of veg-tan wrapped around the edge and cemented. Kate

Ha! That reminds me of a piston I once extracted in pieces from the engine of my '65 VW Beetle. Someday, we will be reunited in Heaven. Kate

I've never made one, myself, but there is a pattern and very detailed instructions on building one in Al & Ann Stohlman's book "Making Leather Cases, Volume Three". Kate

That is so neat! Kate

:biggrin: Kate

Love the design. Can't wait to see it finished... Kate

Looks good to me, man. I've had several customers take me down an artist path I did not want to follow, and ended up with something unexpectedly phenomenal. Kate

I used a fresh leaf on mine, but my mother used to dry flower petals by the method you mention. Kate

Clay, Your wife has a good eye for design. I think you should turn her loose in your studio. Kate

Ha! A goatskin... with the goat still in it! Kate

I decided to try this with a piece of scrap on my little 5-ton clicker press, and it made a fairly detailed impression of the leaf. I did not put a lot of care into the stain and finish, but it gives you a pretty good idea of the results. Kate

Which products is Kevin comparing to the Eco-Flo products? Kate

Very glad to see you here, Micheal and Vera! I love to see leather art that was developed through different influences, because there are so many possibilities for it as an art medium. Thanks for sharing your awesome work! Can't wait to see more. Kate

We've been providing broadband mobile wireless access to all our sales reps when they go out on the road. It has opened up a whole new world to them - they can access customers' accounts via the VPN, and don't have to pay those ridiculous fees that hotels and convention centers charge for internet access. So far, everyone who's tried it really loves it! Kate

Sure, we can get together and trade ideas. Just give me a holler sometime. Kate

Hiya Fred, I'm in NE Kansas (Manhattan), so we're practically neighbors. Can't wait to see some of your work. Kate

I concur with the others who have responded to your post; your saddle is beautiful. I don't really know much about the functionality of saddles, but the artistry is as good as any I have seen. Thanks for sharing the photos, and I hope you continue posting more work. Kate