ABHandmade

Thanks for the great tip! I use several of my own tools, made by finalizing dentist's spatulas and trowels. Your idea is great and I will definitely try the option you proposed.

With my meager English, I could not express my thoughts in the same way as the @Tugadude did. But his words are as close as possible to what I would like to say to Brian. Thank you, Brian! PS. @Tugadude, sorry for some plagiarism

Thanks! I colore this work in soft colors, so I hope that some naturalness of the leather will be preserved. Tom, I know that you are a wonderful specialist. Plus you work great with wood. And with the leather... Plus home... Great family... Therefore, it seems to me that the whole point is simply in priorities and free time, which is never enough. Thanks, Brian! I still hope that coloring does not spoil this work Thank you for compliment! I absolutely agree with you. It seems to me that the desire to achieve a result and the availability of time are the main factors. I really like the phrase in Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day" - "Elementary! 6 hours a day and six months later you are a specialist" PS. I gave the links above for @toxo to the books of Al Stohlman, which describe the technique. This is better than retelling by me. ============================================================= Andrey

Thank you! Almost all methods and techniques are drawn from the wonderful books of Al Stohlman. Plus a little practice. I will not try to retell - better than in the original source, it definitely will not. Especially considering my English. Now 3 books on figure carving and embossing are available for free download at LeatherCraftLibrary (many thanks to Tandy for such a magnificent gift): https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/product/1140/figure-carving-finesse-by-al-stohlman https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/product/1124/the-art-of-embossing-leather-by-al-and-ann-stohlman https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/product/1139/pictorial-carving-finesse-by-al-stohlman

Thank you, Brian! I hope not to disappoint you Thanks! Jeff! In connection with my meager knowledge of English, I will be brief - THANKS!

Tom, thank you so much! You make me blush with embarrassment. I think you're exaggerating a little

Brian, considering that working with leather is just a hobby for me, the value of my opinion is not very great. But I’ll put in my 2 cents anyway ... You have at least 2 great talents - the ability to make beautiful leather things and the ability to visually and in an accessible form to show the process and the nuances. You have a huge arsenal of methods, devices and know-how that make the process of creating great leather things predictable (in terms of an excellent end result) and, as I understand it, cost-effective. I think that for many for whom leatherworking is a means of earning, your videos will be useful.

Thank you! Many thanks, Mike! Thanks for compliment, Brian! I would like to reach a level where I do not need to color my works. But in this time I have to bring a quantity makeup on him for a decent look Thank you, @Scoutmom103! The splendor of these big cats is sometimes simply amazing.

Carving completed. Now this lovely married couple is drying up and waiting for coloring. Size 9 x 11 inches, relief height 3/4 inches.

Apparently, I did not pay attention to this page. Now I tried to go to leathercraftlibrary - and to no avail Apparently, the site simply could not stand the influx of visitors I'll try to do it later. Thank you for drawing my attention - I will definitely look at this page. Andrey.

I was modest - I downloaded only part of the books that I did not buy earlier, and a couple of dozen doodle pages. I guess I need to stop being shy

Many thanks for info, @fredk!

Very clear, thoughtful and detailed carving!!! As well as excellent coloring! I am impressed! WONDERFUL WORK!

I do not know how it is available in the US, but just in case, look at Toledo Super (Kenda Farben, Italy) color code 33006.

Your carving is excellent! Very fine and impressive work!

Nice and useful video. Thanks for sharing.

@hashtagartz @Scoutmom103 Thank you so much! Thank you for your attention to my work! Thank you! Interestingly, her children will also watch Rescue Rangers like her parents sometime? Thank you, Brian!!! ------------------------------------------- Your reviews are very inspiring, thank you all so much!

Thank you! Her birthday is a few days later, the bag has already arrived in the US and will soon be handed over to her little mistress Thank you for such compliment, YinTx!

Thank you! I will definitely ask parents to broadcast on Skype or make a video when they give a gift to a niece. Thank you, Brian!

Tom, thank you so much!!! Thank you! Thank you, Jeff! The real color is beige. There is a very slight difference in the shades of the carved part and the part with the zipper (these are different pieces of leather - 3 oz and 4-5 oz), but in reality this is not as noticeable as in the photo.

Thank you for compliment! I really hope she will be pleased. It is a pity that I can not give a gift to her personally. Thank you, Mike!!!