Handstitched

A'h the joys of being my own boss HS

@Klara I stand corrected , I'm quite partial to a nice Shiraz HS

Very true. Thats why I didn't spend a fortune on tools etc. in case leather work wasn't for me, glad it was though If it wasn't, I'd sell or donate the tools to local community group. I borrowed an AS pattern book from a local and photo copied it, I also borrowed a book from our local library....the only book on leather in the entire library HS

Wow ! This has turned into quite a topic...again. The added bonus about what I do, is that I can have a beer ..at lunch time How many employers let you drink on the job? Just .....thought I'd throw that into the discussion . HS

OMG!!!! Here in Oz, that would be worth many $1000's . Wow, what a bargain . The first thing I'd be doing is to have a play with the new ' toys' . Well done HS

This topic has come up a few times on here: https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/87397-what-is-handmade/?tab=comments#comment-596404 This was also a a topic of discussion between a few friends at the weekend at a local market. In particular, a friend of mine makes & sells assorted items that include Swarovski crystals . She buys the components and creates & makes beautiful decorative items as well as creating and making jewellery. However, she doesn't make the crystals, nor does she make the metallic components that holds them together. The very same can be said for what I do. I buy the raw materials, ....leather, and create and make various leather goods. But I don't have a herd of cows, or other animals, I don't tan my own hides, nor do I make the hardware that go with the leather goods, but what I make is handmade. And as for using a sewing machine, its just another tool amongst many others to help make the end product. But then theres the " machine vs hand stitched" debate . Theres a post about that too I'm sure To me, hand made is :: not mass produced , not the same as..., , bespoke, custom made, with creativity, love & pride , and ....individual etc . etc..... HS

Yep My very first purchase of new stamping tools was a ' basic 7 piece set' , that included some basic stamping tools and a swivel knife . But I also bought some S/H tools from the same shop for a few bucks each, a few modelers, stamping tools, edge bevellers etc. I already had a sharp knife . You don't have to go for new tools if you don't wish to, depending on your budget, and how far you wish to go . HS

Bingo and the blade must be super duper sharp . The leather does move & flex a bit when cutting, as we all know . HS

Perhaps consider putting some decorative spots or small conchos over the stains and make it look like part of the bag? But that looks like the back of the bag? Not as noticeable there. If its just for you, and you can live with it , then leave it as it is. As 'sbrownn' said, it does have a nice patina. HS

War thunder anyone? I get that just after a curry I'm quite a dab hand at making curries HS

But whatever you decide, I ...we... will still be left wondering who the maker is ? Its a tough one. HS

I had a quick look around using the search parameters ' MOT' , M.O.T , and with the number, but nothing comes close. The ' O' looks like a buckle, perhaps a buckle maker made this tool?? HS

Oops, yeh, you're right, I was just going by my own early experiences . A lot of what I learnt when I first started was ' trial & error' . Theres no leather shops near me ,was one 3hrs away ( now closed) I had no internet, just yellow pages, so I just had to wing it. @chuck123wapati doesn't vinegroon go on fish 'n' chips ? Just kidding . Yes , that process does work, apart from the smell of vinegar , but that goes away . I still want to experiment with natural colours from fruits & spices one day like turmeric , mulberries, black berries, etc. HS

Yep, great minds think alike. I put a piece of gaffa tape over the end for now ( I think you call it duct tape) . I can be a bit clumsy at times HS

@garypl Your idea worked Anything to save a bit of money, even its a few bucks, a saving is a saving. HS

The dyes I use are also water based, but with a little bit of alcohol to aide drying. They soak in into the leather better. I have tried oil based dyes in the past, but I had no end of trouble with dyes rubbing off, hence the water based dye + top coat sealer. Good comment about the ' mop & glow . Since ' neat lac' is not available where I am, and it variants are costly to transport ( can't be transported by air) , I used a water based varnish from my local hardware shop , only on particular projects , so far so good, dries quick, flexible, no rub off. Like Castle Leather Work said, you may have to see what works, experiment a little on some scraps. HS

I'll try that, thanks . I have a spare injector blade on my thumb strander, (the most lethal leather tool I've ever bought ...and will never use again) HS

I was just about to order some odds & ends from one of my suppliers, and strap cutter blades were on my list.But I had a light bulb moment. They look exactly like fibreglass chopper blades. Fibreglass pools were my trade in years gone by. Anyone used chopper blades in a strap cutter? * They are only marginally cheaper than what leather suppliers sell them for . I can get x 100 , for about $65, free postage , against $4.40 pk 5 ( + P+P ) HS * I've seen a bloke lose the top of his thumb on a f/g chopper......eeewww !!!

There are many opinions regarding sealers. I'm in Australia, The one I use mostly is called Top Coat , a water based sealer. Another is ' Seal & Shine' , a chemical polyurethane sealer, leaves a nice shine and feel. I prefer to seal my projects as I don't wish for any dye to come off onto clothes, like on belts . Sealers give a nice finish too I use paints on carved patterns , makes flowers etc. really stand out . HS

I had to google that name we call them ' clip seal bags' , but thats a great idea . One other idea I had in mind was an archive box/file thingy, I might combine both ideas . I know it sounds over the top, but this is my fave book and I don't want anything to happen to it. I've had some old leather books damaged in the past, so you can understand my added caution . Thanks HS

Thank you. Perhaps I should have phrased that a bit better My workshop can get a bit messy and dusty, and a bit cluttered , despite my best efforts to keep it clean. HS

One thing I have used is the left over bits of boot polish that have gone a bit hard in the tin . I use them fill any marks etc. , ...or holes , on hard leathers , mostly black, , sort of like a ' body filler' , and being polish they finish up quite good . I guess a bit of hard bees wax might work too . Hope this helps a bit HS

I just have to chime in here . I used to do weight lifting/ power lifting in my younger days, I still have my old belt, ( I won't tell you the size) cost me a small fortune back then. . But the pic of the blue belt is just so striking, such a beautiful colour. Blue really is my absolute favorite colour, has been since I was a kid. The white stitching really makes it stand out. I was once told that the belts give stability, spine etc. and help prevent your guts from exploding, especially the ' man tubes' down stairs . Not sure if theres a market for WL belts here in Oz . I should do some research.Or, make one and put it on display on my stall and gauge the response . HS

@Northmount @fredk I saw that same vendor at my regular market at the weekend, I was soooo tempted to tell him the value of the Ed Bohlin book that he sold me, but I weakened , I didn't have the heart to tell him. Not sure if I should . I do have a bit if a grudge against him though , some years ago, he was next to us at a market, our stall got damaged during some wild weather one year, a table went over nearly injuring my Mother, and a lot of my stock ended up on the ground, but he never lifted a finger to help* . * Its good etiquette ( and good karma) to help each other at markets, especially newbies. I'm now looking at ways to best store the book, knowing its value, now. HS

@noobleather Packers Leather, but you have to be on their ' specials' mailing list You can't buy them online, you either walk in or order over the phone, like I did, but you have to be quick. HS