JayEhl

couldn't figure out what your design was until I saw the before the dye work. Did you put a welt on this, too?

likin' the progress so far!

well, that makes sense. As a kid I remember building model airplanes with my dad and the glue smell reminds me of that time (not the getting dizzy part!) . Funny how aromas do that. Anyway, I'll have to keep that in mind after I go through my recent can I bought. Thanks for your insights! ~JL

wow, that looks like quite the undertaking. I'd like to whip that once its done just to listen to the 'SNAP'!

man those colors really match up and looks great. Really meticulous dye work. Illustrator does have a learning curve but as explained lots of free youtube videos. But now, Adobe in it's greed no longer allows you to buy the software as a one and done. It's subscription based so it can get $$.

I've never heard of this and being a noob I had to look it up. I've been using DAP weldwood contact cement (the red one). Why is the Aquilim 315 good/better? Just curious.

I would be interested but living in South Texas shipping alone would probably be a deal breaker

yea, boy, that is some fine work. The work on the feathers on the first belt makes it really "pop"!

Man, I'd be proud of that as my first tool. Mine was a starter kit from I think Hobby Lobby or some place and I totally butchered it. Funny, I look back at it now and again to remind me how much I've learned. Man, I love this craft!

yea dig the quote. the cool kids on youtube call zen "oddly satisfying". When I first heard that it didn't make sense but thinking about it, I understand now how certain things I see are actually 'satisfying'

Those story boards are a great idea. Now if only the wife would let me take over another room she can get her kitchen table back....

wow, those individual petals looks like alot of work!

A few years ago before I got into leather pounding, I funded a kick starter for a shoulder carry for a phone and my expectations did meet the product description. I kept and used it for a bit anyways and found the nylon straps started to fray, the leather is cheap and the snap is already coming off one of the straps. I plan to use that as a pattern to start from but I want to make it look like yours. EDIT: what weight leather did you use?

I like to look at these pictures to see what others are doing for inspiration. Amazing stuff.

yosemite is a hoot! did a great job!

wow, what a cool design. And that dye work pops helps those initials pop out. I like how used that bead thing (whats it called) instead of a snap and that design makes it easy so they don't fall out. very cool.

pretty neat design. What is your youtube channel.

Hi, You would want to sand the edges of your belt in this case. Just the edge! And use higher and higher grit paper. I've read here where other master crafters use different kinds of heated paints (united?) and others use simple softened beeswax in between the sanding. I personally use tokolone or gum trag in between sanding and seem to get good results. I am going to switch to dremel or something because it is pretty tedious.

Don Gonzales is a bangin' super leather maker and artist. Specializes in saddles but has an amazing curation of a bunch of videos and how to's for noobs like me. Obviously he's one of my faves. Here is a link to custom belt sizing: https://dgsaddlery.com/tag/measuring-belts/

shiggles... .now that's funny! LOL

some really nice stuff man. Just a word about links. Lots of guys here don't like them. Just an fyi

Oh wow! That's a long journey and am glad you've come through. And welcome back. Hope to see some of your stuff. ~JL

The braid work is pretty cool.

Digging the celtic knot theme. I used Chicago screws on my first (and only) valet project and thought it turned out pretty well. I saw how someone made one with 8 sides. Wanting to try that but maybe rivets, instead.

Funny you should mention this. My oldest daughter bought a one hour virtual session with Ms. Libertini as Christmas gift. An hour isn't very long and it will go by fast so I was thinking of what I should do with the time. I knew she did lots of painting (one of my many weak points) but maybe I'll ask for some basic tips about portrait work, too! ~Thanks!