JayEhl

Don Gonzales Saddlery has belt blanks you can buy here: https://dgsaddlery.com/product-category/material-packs/ Along with other material kits. For the belt: This Material Pack comes with two strips of leather: -A strip of 9/10 ounce measuring 1.5″ X 60″ to be used as the main body or outside of your belt -A strip of 3/4 ounce measuring 1.75″ X 60″ to be used as the liner or inside of your belt Should mention he offers 'blemish grade' belt blanks, too, all of it in Herman Oak leather. This is on my list to try next month but their website said they're out of stock right now.

exactly the same thing I do with scrap leather. Sometimes I feel if the scrap doesn't have some practice works on it, I don't want to throw it out as a 'waste'.

Hi I've been wanting to take the DG course but I'm not a very good online learner. I did get his flower drawing pamphlet and it was really helpful when I make time to practice -- and it does take lots of practice! The simplicity of the look of Sheridan artwork deceives the viewer much work goes into making it look smooth and joyful to look at. Your basket weave impressions are really nice. But (to me) the camouflage stamp you used blends in too much with the basket weave 'wheat' that made it look crowded. I would bevel the top of the artwork so that it has a more distinct line (between the basket weave/camo stamp ) by maybe beveling it to the other side. But man, keep it up!

Kind of have to agree with the thread being at least a size up. But the work is spot on, dude!

In my years of going to trade shows as a vendor (a previous life) we learned to 'post up' in the front of the table to make it easier to visit with people who wonder by and to chat them up. It seemed to work as we didn't get nearly as many sales if we were passively sitting in the back. The best of luck!

LOL! happened to me, too, the other night. Face planted my forehead on my marble slab.....sheesh... So, with last nights project I started to label the flesh side of the project with the part name.

Nice deep basket stamping. I botched my last project. I wouldn't feel bad about giving away your project. I think it shows you love someone enough that you made this for them which I'm sure was appreciated -- and that is a reward .

Yep, looks like German Shredders! My favorite, too!

Cool looking skin. Was it hard for the needle/awl to punch through?

I'm not a big awl user and have found just by using the needle to wiggle around the hole makes it plenty big. my .03 worth (accounting for inflation)

Boy these area all super ideas, especially for us new guys. This thread should've been titled "Leather Worker Hacks! " I know it's not earth shattering but I glued on different grit sand paper to (free) paint stirrers that I've picked up at the local hardware stores. That way I have different grits on a block ready to sand long edges. For smaller tinier areas I like the chopstick and bbq skewer ideas. Ya'all keep these coming!

@Jenn64 Whatever you end up doing, you should report back here what you did and how it worked for you and show your work. That way everyone can benefit!

Aww... it happens. But the dragon scales on the red looks very eye catching and beats the crap out of my 'basket weave' stamp! ha!

I"m far from being any critic, just loving on the art work. Very well done. What size thread is that?

Yea, that's some beautiful craftsmanship. I like the waves the best, too...but... GO Horn Frogs!!!

yea, that's some nice work. Are you gluing in that RFID holder to that flap of leather? If so I imagine you had to rough up the plastic bit of the cover? A very cool idea.

man, that is some really nice carving with the swivel knife. Very cool art work. Lots of finesse and practice went into that skill level. I had to take a double take on the braids on the headband. Looked like it was lace! What beveling tool did you use to get such fine details? Whomever is going to wear it will get lots of compliments, I'm sure!

Thanks all for taking the time to review my project. @YinTx took me a bit to analyze the zipper comment and finally figured out what you were describing. DUH! Makes total sense now that I look it over. Boy you're not kidding about the "deceptively large number of different skills needed". But it was alot of fun!! @tsunkasapa Thank you for your kind words. When I first got started, I (hyper) focused on the carving and painting part of the craft. It is so relaxing and so much fun. I only started making stuff in earnest just a while ago. I don't think I cased the leather very well which would've helped more with the basket stamping. Between getting the lines straight and making sure I manage the same amount of power while I strike the basket weave stamp is one of those (many..... many...) 'deceptive skills'. I used 4mm chisel set from Asyker? I try to (remember to) mark the holes first to make sure they even out at the end and then go back through and punch it. But yes, keeping the irons straight through that much leather is a challenge. I've watched several youtube videos for other ideas and help but nothing is better than some in person instruction and practice. And until I get a sewing machine, I'm thinking of investing in one of those pliers with the chisel teeth built in hoping that would help. But once I get my stitching straighter I'll see if I can get closer to the edge. thanks! I'm not especially fond of a raw look because its so fuzzy looking. I know it cannot be helped much using chrome tan, but I am going to trial some different dyes as you suggest. On another video they suggested rolling the edges which may get more of the 'look' that I intended. Another skill I need to pick up and practice... LOL! So thank you for the list of suggested brand options. @PastorBob no apologies necessary. I appreciate yours and everyone's time in providing tips to help me along. I've started to take better notes during my project but my hand writing is so crummy since I've been in IT for the past twenty years. Heck, I can't even remember the last time I wrote a message, let alone a phone number!! But I do know what you mean about writing out steps. The other day I was so excited to get back to a project after work I started to punch holes for sewing without gluing!! Again, thanks to everyone who contributed. I find this forum to be more than a blessing, it is a community! Maybe we can all see each other in Waco at the "Heart of Texas Leather Show" or some other venue. Enjoy your weekend! ~JL

Well, its been a while and hadn't heard any 'wows' or 'it's crappy'. (I'm going with the 'its crappy'. ) Then I realized I should've posted in the 'critique my work' area. If a moderator can move this thread to the critique my work area, it would be appreciated so I can get some feedback and constructive criticisms? Thanks in advance. ~JL

Hows your project going?

I'm not an expert (by a long shot or stretch of imagination) nor am I experienced with this tool but have seen a few youtube videos on how to build a stamp press//clickers on the cheap using a simple bench arbor press (1ton) or the larger stand up type up to I think 20 tons. Here we have a hardware store called Harbor Freight. The bench top one I was looking at is sometimes on sale for less than $50. https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-3552.html probably won't fit your needs but this is a six tone that might fit what you want: https://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton-a-frame-bench-shop-press-1666.html I know it doesn't answer your question off hand but it won't blow a budget to experiment, either. Just my .01 worth.......

like the card hand that you carved out. Bet it was alot of fun to make!

A quick update: I ran through all the broken links that I shared with Tandy and only the following is not working. I will bring this to their attention and I have no doubts it will be fixed, soon. CRUSADER-STYLE OVER-SHOULDER SWORD CARRIER PATTERN ~JL

basket weave is top notch! Nice deep impressions with beautiful burnishing. I need to practice more....

Just a blank buckle and you glued your design on? A good idea!