resqman

I saw Steve's post and used it as launching point for a book cover. I ran my arrows vertically instead of diagionally.

Look for "Veiner Stamp"

You might consider looking in the Stamping forum for some great information about basket weave stamping. While leather working and stamping are a creative medium and what ever you like is part of the artistic interperation, you may find is you follow the general rules of thumb about the use of the basket weave stamp, you might find a broader acceptance of you work.

Coloring adds a lot to the piece. Your carving is well done. Great job.

Nice and clean. Well done.

Nice work. Started a belt couple of days ago. Found out quickly that turning the belt became a real pain. I have much more apprecation for belt crafters. Nice work.

Yes, it is a ficitional character but the basic design is humanoid. The knee is depressed in the carving. Knees protrude not recess. A calf muscle is bulbous and the area just above the ankle is recessed. Changing the location and shape of the pear shading to more closly follow human anatomy would be less distracting to me. It leaves me with the impression you knew you needed to shade to give diminsion to the character but were unsure about how and where. Googling images of atheletes would provide a visual resource to help you follow leg muscles. I like the general design and coloring. I don't like that muscle structure of the humaniod parts. My first impression when I looked at the piece was the face reminded me of the Grinch. I did not want to suggest the Grinch reference so as not to color peoples view of your piece. I think you did a good job of providing a 3 dimeinsional effect in the squat position by hiding the arm behind the knee/leg. The left wing is somehow quirky. The wings remind me of Asian tattoo ocean waves and less a leathery bat wing. Not sure what to do to make it look more wing like. Maybe some spindly bones along the outer upper edge to provide support to the wing system. Again, googling bat images could be a resource for inspiration. Alternately images of dragons or other winged creatures to build compliation wing ideas. Viewers of your work may not be replying because they were taught if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all. Many people who view this forum are novice and may not feel that their work is as good as yours and don't know how to tell you to improve. Many of the other posters tend towards the Western themes and not as much figure carving. As such they may not feel they can offer anything of value about your piece.

The leg on the left side of the work (right leg of creature) has odd pear shading. .. presuming the muscles of the creature follow standard anatomy.

I like the stars in the corners. Small details add up to a nice package.

You may consider haveing a layout line to stamp to when laying out your borders. I like the original use of the stamps to make designs but the borders send to wobble around a bit.

You might want to review some of the posts regarding the basket weavestamp. Typically you alternate the stamp to leave an unstamped space. Typically you do not stamp all the way to the edge of the leather but rather stamp up to a line and either use a camoflague stamp (sunburst) or other stamp to hide the partial stamps that butt up against the edge. Always fun to make something for yourself, particularly that has a meaning or history behind the carving and stamping. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=1995&st=15

Nice knife work. Sorry you have to re-dye. Customers don't know anything.

Where's the pic?

Look at the lower left corner of your window. You should see a small magnifiing glass with blue Plus symbol. Next to that it usually says 100%. By clicking the magnifing glass, it increases to 125% and then 150%. If you click on the small arrow to the left of the 100%, a variety of magnification scales are available. You can choose from the scale to increase or decrease the magnification. You can click on the pictures and then increase the scale from 100% up to 400%. I find that 150% or 200% provides a large enough image to see the details but not get to blurry.

Your backgrounding could use some improvement. If you can pick out specific individual stamps, its not right. The background tools are supposed to add texture to contrast against the smooth parts of the carving. The background should idealy be the same depth all over, not some high and some low. Roatating your tool 90 degrees easy strike helps to keep the pattern random.

I like the bold basket weave/wicker on the second piece. Layout gets a little confusing at the top of the pick but other wise nicely done.

Sorry, I grew up in Atlanta Ga and then moved to North Carolina. The state flower (year I know it is a tree) of North Carolina is the dogwood. All I have ever known for the last 50 years is the 4 petaled flower. Your leatherwork is very nice. The shape of your dogwoods must be from out west somewhere. 'round here we ain't never seen such as a 5 petaled dogwood.

I like the play of the two trees against each other. I though dogwood blooms only have 4 leaves?

Some firehouses have a station mascot or logo. That might be a nice decorative item. The EMS Star usually indicates that you have some medical training. I realize that most firefigthers today are at least an EMT. If you have less training, you might not want to advertise a skill set you do not have. There are many other classic fire department symbols. You need to pick one that suits your personality. Crossed axe and pike pole behind a maltese cross is a common item. Fire hydrant is another. If you are a member of a ladder truck, an aerial truck or ladder might be challenging. Technical rescuers often include a coil of rope and a carabiner. If you have a interesting station, maybe a siloette of the station house. Maybe your town has a symbol that could be worked into the design. I live in the "City of Oaks" and we have a 6 foot high copper acorn in the town park. Leaves and acorns work for us. If you have a nickname, maybe there is someway to incorporate that into the design. Or if you ever wanted a nickname, this would be a way you could create a nickname for yourself! A large spade is often used for the nickname Ace. Maybe a bulldog for Mack. Choose a design that has meaning to you. Google CUSTOM LEATHER HELMET SHEILDS and you will find a wide vareity of designs and prices.

Wow. Gold star for you. Lucky recipent

My first thought was of a club I used to frequent when younger. They had several pretty women wandering around the bar with bandoliers over each shoulder filled with shot glasses. They also wore a two gun holster rig modified to carry bottles of Tequila. They moved through the crowd selling shots. Pull a glass from the bandolier, pour a shot, and take your money. This was back during the 70's when the movie Urban Cowboy was popular. I bet they paid for the rigs in sales the first night.

You seem to be a handy type fella. You might want to re-consider the finish for your spoons. Poly and Tung oil are not designed for human consumption. Your food and mouth will be touching the finish. You need to consider using food grade finishs like mineral oil or butcher block oil. Olive oil is used by some but have heard tales of it turning rancid.

Did you do the stamping before the wet forming or while the leather was still wet after it was formed? Looks nice. I like the texture of the brand.

I found it novel that you used a patterned beveler on the meander border. Gave it some texture. I also liked the football shaped seeder instead of the standard circle for the corners.

Nice tool bag. The skull is taking an active part in the ride, not just a decoration.