TomBanwell

This is very hard to quantify as leather varies so much. The general rule I've followed is to make the seat as taut as possible. If the seat sags too much you just have to make it over again.

Thanks, ArtS. Yes, the cameo is hexagonally faceted, and very shiney, and the white is a reflection. The overall piece is fairly dark, and was difficult to photograph.

My first cuff, made with three layers of 2-3 oz veggy tan, handstitched. The cameo I molded and cast in resin from an antique Victorian one.

Nice looking scabbard. I'm curious why you titled it "latex"? I don't see where latex is involved.

Hi Ryan, Thanks for sending the free samples. Indeed the preproduction ones are a bit heavy, and I look forward to the lighter version. I do have concern about the male end. It seems to fasten to the leather by just two thin metal prongs bent over. I would like to see a more secure method of securing it, as it seems too easy for those prongs to fail.

Thanks, everyone! The ears are my favorite part, cause the sides sweep forward and attach at the front. It took me three attempts to get it, and that was after working out the pattern in paper, and studying the deer outside my studio window. Leather doesn't behave exactly like paper, so I still waste the good stuff till I get the pattern down. And the embossed veins give it a bit more realism.

I haven't shown any of my masks for awhile, so I'm showing one of my favorites, Cernunnos, the Celtic god.

Thanks. I looked in the Tandy catalong and noticed that Fiebings Leather Sheen comes in a spray can. Is that a similar product?

Thanks, Luke. I'm looking at the S-T catalog and I don't see super sheen. I do see satin sheen, resolene and neat-lac. Are any of these similar? Thanks,

I've been sealing my masks to protect them from moisture with Krylon's acrylic Crystal Clear. It works great except for a lingering smell. I've had some complaints from customers about it. Can anyone recommed a different product that won't smell? It needs to be sprayed not brushed. Thanks!

How does it work exactly? Are the rollers spring loaded?

Sweet work, Roo! Love it!

Beautiful job, Caroline! And very nicely painted. I have been working on a Green Man mask myself, and I love the challenge of fitting all the leaves together. You have really succeeded at it.

No, it's not thick enough to crack. Flexes just fine.

Russ, for my masks I needed a clear sealer. I tried Krylon Matte Finish #1311 which I use regularly on wood and resin, and it turned white on the leather. Bad news! Then I tried Krylon Crystal Clear Gloss #1301. It works great on leather, but beware that it is gloss. I then tried Krylon Crystal Clear Matte, and it turned white! Apparently the flattening paste (as I understand it) that is added to clear lacquer is turning white on contact with leather. I don't understand why, as it works fine on wood, but it does. So stick to gloss and you'll be fine.

Thanks, Tom! Always exciting to start a new decade. Not as exciting as when I turned 10, however. heh-heh! To celebrate I will beat my tom-tom, Tom.

Wow! Nice stencil work. In the US child protective services would be knocking at your door. heh-heh!

Very nice collection, Linda! Looks like you've been super busy. You have some original ideas I haven't seen before, like the faces on the side of the masks. I hope you do really well at your show! Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing your pics with us!

Hi Tammy, Normally retailers will double the wholesale cost to determine retail price. This is called keystoning. Jeweler's will triple the price; grocers will mark up food way less than double, but for leather masks they should double it. Consignment should mark it up less than that, and did when I got started years ago. It used to be 67% went to the craftsman, then it went to 60%. When it went to 50% I stopped consigning. Retailers have nothing invested in consignment goods except for wall space, so they would rather sell goods they've bought outright. I recently went to a local craft/gift shop to see if they wanted to carry my masks (in the past they've bought other craft items from me). The owner said they no longer buy outright--just do consignment. She also said she was expanding her website to sell online, and she would include my masks. Well heck, I can do that myself and get 100%! I have recently opened a shop on Etsy, and have had success selling there. I recommend it.

Very cool effect. How much pressure are you applying, and what equipment are you using? thanks,

Lambskin is the right kind of leather. It should get really stretchy once wet. Pull and staple as you work around the corners. Also press the wrinkles out with a smooth steel tool.

Ken, the embossing is just a variation of wet forming. You just need a form to press the cased leather down into. I used to carve the negative into a block of parrafin with wood carving tools. With a scroll saw you can cut a sheet of plastic or plywood. You cut out the raised parts--no need to round anything off. Then with a small ball tool you press the cased leather down into the recesses. It gives a rich look with very little work. That closure is cool cause while wet it is easy to insert the tab into the slot, but once dry it ain't going anywhere!

Thank you. Born out of laziness.

Love the concept!

My wife is a pen enthusiast and she asked if I'd make a leather pen case. I designed this one that is has just a single line of hand stitching up the middle. Hope you like it.