TomBanwell

I made this camel years ago for my wife when she was collecting these hump-backed critters. This one is made of carved redwood parts covered in deerskin (nice and stretchy) and glued, screwed and nailed together. Icelandic sheep fur is the long hair. The colors have faded a bit over time. He stands 18" tall and is 17" long.

Very nice work! Good to see another mask maker/wet former here.

Both are really nice!

Very true. Ever since my recovery from colon cancer two years ago I no longer put things off that I want to do. I have always had ideas of projects I want to do kicking around my head, and now I just sit down and do them. At the age of 60 I realize that everything I do could be the last time I do it. Tom

One other question: Who should post sthe photo, the creator or the recipient? I assume they should bb posted to "special events, contests and classes"? Tom

Those are too cool! Where can I buy one?

Gorgeous! Love those colors.

Beautiful work! I'd love to see more.

Please count me in too.

My order arrived from ST Leather, and I am pleased. Great prices, and just what I wanted which I was unable to find elsewhere. Thanks again, Billy P!

I just placed an order by phone a few days ago, and had a hard time understanding the salesperson, so can only hope she got my order right! It hasn't arrived yet.

DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE

Hey Billy, Thanks for the S.T. Leather info. I placed an order with them today. It's just what I'm looking for!

Beautifully made. Very professional.

Tammy, If I may be so bold, as a once upon a time professional hat maker (including top hats), I offer this advice. The picture shows a rough pattern of a top hat--not to scale. Two things you may not think of. The brim should dip down in the front and back, and go up on the sides. This is accomplished by two things. Notice the bottom of the crown pattern has wave to it. This is important to the shape of the brim. Second, if you use thin enough leather you can sew a spring steel wire into the edge of the brim, which will keep the brim in shape. I call it the potato chip effect. If you just sew the wire in it won't do anything special, but if you force it larger than it wants to be, it will bend like a potato chip, and that combined with the crown shape is the secret to having a great looking hat. This works also for Western style hats. The wire being too large for the brim forces it to bend up and down. This pattern is for a stovepipe hat--straight up and down. If you want the top to be wider or narrower--both fashionable at one time--you simply give the overall crown pattern a curve, ie. a smile or a frown. Ask questions if this isn't clear.

Tandy's catalog states they sell the quart and gallon size to businesses only, which is fine as I am one. I just called Tandy in Sacramento and they said they're not allowed to carry it at all, even for businesses. They said the only way to get it is to go out of state and bring it back! I've never used a different brand that worked as well, and I am reluctant to try others unless some of you can testify that it's just as good. Thanks,

I'd like to buy a quart of Barge cement, and don't know of a source. Can anyone help? I'm in California. Thanks,

Well this is just too much fun! I work pretty isolated from other artists, and its great to find others working along the same lines. Definitely I will be making a leather mask soon. Tammy, you are more than welcome to ask me about shoes or whatever. I'm happy to share my knowledge.

Thanks, Tammy. I work in a wide variety of artistic media, leather being just one (see www.tombanwell.com for others). Actually I did make a mask of the beast from Beauty and the Beast many years ago, complete with ox teeth. Seeing your masks and the others on the board has inspired me to make another mask, probably of a minotaur. I think those ears would be wonderful to make! Can't wait to see your dragon!

Absolutely amazing!!

Hmmmm, looking again it appears to be squished soap bubbles!?

All right, I'll admit this is the only mask I've made, but since others were showing theirs I thought I'd put mine in as well. As you can see it was getting late (closed eyes) and the the wearer had a cigarette burning like crazy. The nose was sewn inside out and turned while cased. It's supposed to be one of the classical Italian commedia del arte masks.

I love the textures you get, and the glasses are just the right touch!

Really nice! Great job.

You did a beautiful job!