Elegant

He will be missed...and remembered.

Found a temporary camera so I can post pics of the goodies that tatr sent me. A sherdian tooled notepad cover, a sheridan tooled coffee cup wrap (I am a coffee-holic) and a leather feather (which was immediately put on the mantle with our collection of real feathers). I do not do sheridan style tooling so these items are now very special to me. Love, Love, Love

I received three fabulous items from ta2r. Woot! A sherdian tooled notepad cover, a sheridan tooled coffee cup wrap (I am a coffee-holic) and a leather feather (which was immediately put on the mantle with our collection of real feathers). I do not do sheridan style tooling so these items are now very special to me. The man was apologetic about the work, stating he was not a professional. Pshaw, the work is top-notch. My camera is broken but I will get pics up soon.

The Expandable Insulation foam (Great Stuff brand) works for us. One piece cups. (poor quality pic)

I did my first ever figure carving...a piece for a charity silent auction in Phoenix, AZ. I hate noses...can't draw them and certainly cannot carve them..so I ended up with some scattered hair over the nose. Next time I need to carve and tool deeper. This time I was a bit hesitant to do so. But hey...the piece was sold for $175..for a good cause. (this is an interpretation of a flesh hook pull. The stylized sun is the logo for the organization the hosted the auction)

That is horrible. I cannot believe this..almost like using the plastic condiment cups for mixing paints...er....umm..or so I hear.

Fabulous idea!

The dragon is hot!

Those are plastic ampoules containing steel needles. Both the syringe and the needles are vintage..and NOT sterile. *grin*

Two new creations for the Steampunk crew. Doctor Deviant/Mad Scientist Half-Bracers Doctor Deviant/Mad Scientist Bandolier - Actually an 'upcycled' belt.

I'll ship anywhere that it is legal.

Gorgeous! I can never get those barbed wire stamps straight...grrrrr.

Once upon a time there was a fantasy knife that needed a new sheath. The knife's owner searched high and low for someone to make a sheath for the knife. He met a leather crafter who promised to create a custom sheath for the knife....for a price. The knife traveled to the workshop of the leather crafter for measuring and custom fittings. The owner waited in anticipation...and waited..and waited. Finally, after a long time had passed, the knife and it's new sheath were traveling back home. The owner was excited...knowing that the new sheath must be wonderful. After all, he paid a pretty penny and waited a long time for this special creation. The box arrived and the owner opened it in joyful anticipation...and then stared. The owner stared open mouthed at this 'custom sheath'. He paid real money and waited so long for this??? The owner was upset and the knife was sad. The owner nestled the knife back in it's box and laid the new sheath on top like a funeral shroud. There it sat until a few months later when the man went to a fetish event. Hoping that there would be some leather crafters in the vending area of the event, he packed the knife in his suitcase and made his way to the event. While browsing the wares of various merchants at the event he came across a vendor who had many items that were unique and well-crafted. The owner pondered and wondered if they could possibly make a new sheath for his knife. He talked to the bald leather crafter at the booth and then brought the knife down to the leather crafter. When the leather crafter saw the 'sheath' he almost laughed. After lengthy discussion the man left the knife with the crafter...hoping a new sheath could be made. The leather crafter took the knife home and handed it to his partner. She sketched and drew....cut leather...trimmed....beveled and tooled....hand stitched....burnished...molded...dyed...painted.....the sheath came alive. Finally it was finished. She nestled the knife into the new sheath. The knife glowed, happy in it's new clothes. The sheath will be on it's way to it's owner later this week..

FUN...add me to the list!

An Eland hide!!!!

I see two immediate concerns: Long term exposure to Dry, cold weather will dry out your leather. Heating the building sporadically is likely to cause condensation.

Scrap leather: Many folks use undyed vegtan scraps for bird chew toys. Itsy bitsy scraps...I toss them in a jar with a few drops of leather scented oil and make leather scented sachets Leather gift bows from scrap strips of soft leather! Keychain fobs or bookmarks as surprise freebies with orders. Donated unwanted scraps to elementary and middle school for crafts...and a tax deduction for you! Pattern Paper Photographers backdrop paper is nice and stiff. They have long rolls of it and when a section gets dirty they tear it off and toss it (or they give it to me). I am also using it this year for wrapping presents in my little effort for a greener holiday. Keep 'Em Sharp! Yes, Virginia..you can resharpen rotary blades. I save all the fingernail files my daughter and I use for fine sharpening of tools Freecycle.org Ask for stuff you think someone might have and keep an eye on things people are getting rid of. I have gotten marble slabs, sewing trim, a photographers screen, manequin heads etc etc

I just talked to hubby. He has not had a problem with the scope settings. He says he keeps the pistol at half-cock which includes a hammer block (the only safety on his first generation Contender) when it is in the holster. He understands your concern and it is something to keep in mind if making this for someone else.Thanks!

Gorgeous work! Love the sporran.

I don't know enough about firearms to even guess. *grin* I did wrap the gun with scope in plastic wrap and then wet-molded the top of the holster over the gun/scope so they would fit snugly.

My husband hunts with a Contender 30:30 (when he is not using his longbow). I finally got around to making him a shoulder holster that he has been asking for. He did not want any tooling and actually is hoping to get it more distressed as time passes. He ground hunts, stalks...and likes all his equipment to blend in with the environment. The shoulder strap is adjustable with brass buckles and there is a snap on thigh strap so the holster doesn't swing. I finished the front with multiple coats of neutral carnuba wax for waterproofing. The back and the straps I finished with Huberd's Boot Grease so it would be more flexible against his body. He loves it..and got a delicious doe the week before Thanksgiving using his new holster. In fact, this pic was taken after he got that doe. Contender 30:30 Holster

The final custom item shipped off for the holidays. Tooled leather tophat. Custom Tooled Tophat

Care & Feedings products and techniques would depend on the type of leather and the finish. Can you be more specific?

I use my old nail files (emery boards)..the smooth ones used for buffing nails. For the inside of the bevel I coat a length of linen thread with jewelers rouge run the beveler down the string.

You might ask for name brands of alternative products: Marabu-Fixogum or Platignum Studio Gum