AndyL1

Hey all, Got a cool little shoulder bag done this past week. This one measures roughly 8x10. Just some softer leather I had laying around... not sure what kind it is or how it was tanned but it feels really nice. Feels very buttery! I added the black to the edges with a sponge technique to give it a bit more character. Pattern drawn up by me too. And the wallet is just a little something to make good use of scrap I have left over. I really like the money clips but I wonder if anyone knows where to pick them up for less than 3 dollars a piece? Got those from Ohio Travel Bag and three bucks seems like a lot for these clips. Also I wouldn't mind finding some in a brushed steel. Any help is appreciated! Cheers, Andy

Thanks! Kinda cool being called out at random. Andy

Hey all, I was approached by a website called Something We Like to do an interview based on my leatherwork. Seems I have caught the attention of quite a few people! I was very flattered and so I happily obliged. Read more about ARM leather that is me: http://www.somethingwelike.com/freebies/andrew-r-mock Cheers, Andy

If I'm cutting a straight edge off a full side or large piece i have a 4' x 2' piece of tempered glass that fits on top of my rolling work bench. It will dull the blade of course but i use cheap utility knife for this purpose. Small items i use a plastic kitchen cutting board that's around 1' x 1.5' Andy

Thanks! I love making stuff look old. Lots of character I think. Thanks! Rob is a nasty word... how about your bag is inspired by mine? HAHA! Have you posted yours up? I'd love to see it. Thanks Welshman!

Nice one! Love the color, the hardware, and the stamping. Good work!

Thanks Curt! I've been looking online as well. Found a few that look pretty nice that I may try to combine the best features of and put into my own. It seems the least complicated route is the best... Andy

Hey all, So I was contacted recently by a chef friend of mine. He asked if I could make him a knife roll. I've never made one before so I wonder if anyone out there has and may off up some tips? This should be fun, something new! Cheers, Andy

Thanks! A pretty penny, yes. Although sometimes I feel not enough! Lot's of work goes into one of these for sure. Andy

Hey thanks fellas! It kind of helps that I do this stuff for a living (graphic design that is) so coming up with my own logo was rather easy. (Sorry I don't freelance... I'm busy laying out Motor Trend every month.) So in response to this thread, it's best to first design in black and white ONLY. Color is something that gets added later. A good logo/mark works best if it looks great with zero color. Keep that in mind for sure. And yeah, lose the Bleeding Cowboy font. I do like that one but it has been very overused as of late. Think about size too. If the image can be scaled down to the size of a dime and still be legible it is a good design. That's about the size it could appear on a business card. Also, I think I would explore your logo being contained inside a Maltese Cross. That is a bit more recognizable as a firefighting icon rather than an axe head. I see axe head and I think lumberjack or woodsy. My two pennies. Cheers, Andy EDIT: Purely just messing around. If I put more time into it, I'd use a different font than what I chose in the attached image, but you get the idea. Maybe a banner streaming across it too with Firehouse Leather written out inside it to support the abbreviation?

Thank you all for the kind words! Now, time to clean my bench! :-)

Nice wallets! I was thinking of something to use too as I wanted to make some iPad covers out of some really soft leather I have lying around. I found some 3-ring binders with very thin plastic covers at the 99 cent store. I haven't tried it yet but the plastic sheets are thin enough, yet may firm up the leather just right. I figured for a buck I can cut up the covers and use the aluminum binders on another project... someday! ;-) Andy EDIT: They kind of look like these: http://www.amazon.com/Filexec-Binder-Capacity-Opaque-50162-6497/dp/B003CKZPN2 really thin and inexpensive.

7/8 may be too thick IMO. You may end up with more of a very rigid briefcase than a messenger bag (I mean unless that is what you want.) I'd go with a 4/5 oz. Just my two pennies. Cheers, Andy

Thanks everyone! Love the feedback! And to answer your question, yes just antiquing after dyeing. I leave the antique on just a bit longer until it sets up some and gently rub away with a moistened white rag. Sometimes I'll use a moistened sponge loaded with just a bit of black dye and pat the color on and build it up. Thanks for the compliments! Cheers, Andy

I had Jeff make one for me a few years back too. Still holding up and very solid Delrin. I like the diameter of the tool as it closely matches the diameter of my mallet so I get a large striking surface. I also really like the level of detail he gets out of the laser cut. The tiny details in my logo really came through! Love it! -Andy

Hey All, I got a couple of bags done over the last couple of weeks. The brown one was a commission and the mahogany one is currently for sale. I started to make two at a time if I get a commission as it's a bit easier since all my tools will be out anyway. ;-) Anyway, custom made to fit a 13" Macbook Air, 5/6oz veg tan, dyed, oiled, sealed with Resolene. Now off to ship this one out! Cheers, Andy

Same here! I'd love to make myself something similar to this one day. I just picked up some 8-9oz that may do the trick (at least for costuming purposes.) Thanks for the complements and the "like"! -Andy

Thanks!

That is incredibly nice! Love the simple details, nothing too fancy. Color is great too. What oz weight is the leather by the way? Cheers, Andy

Prince, you are an evil genius! Much respect in all the work you do. Cheers, Andy

Thanks! I used a semi-damp sponge to apply the dye so it went on a little darker in some places than others. Plus the antiquing after helps darken some spots. I think it looks aged a bit. Cheers, Andy

Nice! I need to hint to the wife a set of these and a maul. Birthday is coming up! ;-)

That is pretty cool! Never thought of making a case for something like that. I really like how you made it a simple one piece design. So simple! -Andy

The euphoria of creating. I like! Yeah me too! Almost done with a new bag (photos soon!) and I can wait to start another one already. -Andy