KatieG

A friend of mine wanted to surprise her man by not only getting him a custom solid brass scale (which he'd been longing for), but also by having a nice case to put it in, with room for pens and pencils and the like. She and I worked up a design, so this is what we came up with! My first go at a basketweave pattern, and I slightly varied how deep I hit them, to give it a more rugged, lived-in feel after it was colored (that way he wouldn't feel bad about using it and carting it around as it got banged up.) She provided the design for the gussets, creating his initials to show his pride in his Russian heritage, as well as a symbol he'd drawn himself a while ago. Add his name, applied block out to the carvings, and colored with a lovely Fudge Brown. (not as tasty as it sounds, alas.) Sewn all the way around with a saddle stitch after smoothing all the edges to keep the look even, and buckles with brass buckles, held on by brass rivets. She got the scale, and a pretty bag to keep it in (to protect from scratches). I'm really really proud of this, as it was my first commission, and it came out (I think) pretty well. :-D Just wanted to show off!! ~Katie

I just might, after I finish a few things I'm working on!!! I'm a little behind due to a nasty cold. *adds the tulips to my list* Whee :-D

Looks really good, Storm! My only wonder is... how would it look inverted? I like the colors you chose for it tho!!

Thank you so much, guys!! ^__^. I hope she will, or at least say she does lol. And that's good enough for me.

Thank you both very much! No, but on the second gusset I DID hide my initials.

Well... I'm not a traditional person, but I still want to learn to carve it. So, since the Vista kit at Tandy's on sale, I decided to get one and make one for my grandmother (Since she'll still love and adore me if I screw up lol). Um, honestly, I loathe the look of veiners and camouflages, so I kind of omitted them, designed my own gussets (taken from the side design.), and dyed the background mahogany, resisted, and stained it chocolate cherry (which does NOT taste like it's name, I assure you!). Then I assembled it with dark brown kangaroo lace. I'm really happy with it, and very proud of it. Oddly, the background color seems to change from regular lights to flourescent/sunlight/camera flash, but it's a neat effect. Prior to assembly, with the funky color: I did a few weird tooling things I do, so.. yeah. Not 100% traditional lol. I can't help but modify as I go. I would like any pointers, and am happy to answer any questions, though I doubt you talented folks have any. Assembled: So, um.. enjoy. I hope she likes it. ^___^. ~KatieG

That is so epic!!! So creative and it just fits perfectly... The whip touches are fabulous. I like how the strap comes down under the bottom like the staff, too.. that's fantastic!!!

Oh, that is BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love it to death, and I bet your friend will, too! Excellent work, I hope my knifework gets that delicate.

I really like the way that looks, quite classy!! <3

Stunning, really beautiful work.... *biggest thumbs-up I can manage*

Looks really pretty!!

Oh gorgeous, I love how it looks!! How do you like the Royal Meadows btw? Tis what I use, too!!! ^__^.

Ooh pretty!!! Something to be said about the color of sunburned leather, though...

That looks stupendous! :-D Tres chic!

oh sweet, those look awesome <3

Looks great! Very clean and pretty!! *claps enthusiastically*

I'm no saddle-maker, but that looks lovely to me! I really like the horn cap and the simple design.. very elegant!! And if it's comfortable and fits the horse well.. isn't that what truly matters?

Wow, beautiful work! Really gorgeous <3 Nicely done!

Oh, yes, the color makes it. It's stunning. Makes me wish I rode!

Wow that's beautiful!!

Wow, gorgeous!!! I hope it helps out the center!!!!

I colored my coasters. One is pink, (the first one I carved, original uncolored not posted), and the other is purple (the one in the first post in this thread ^_^.). Unfortunately, my desk light loathes me and I cannot get a decent non-yellow-toned photo of these to save my life tonite.

Thank you guys for the nice words. ^__^.

I'm not traditional by nature but I'm quite proud of my style blending with the carving here (4-5oz Royal Meadows leather, if it matters, still damp at time of photo.) Was done with an undercut bevel, smooth bevel, textured bevel on the outsides, and a pear shader. I tried to blend my anime-ish art style with a more traditional piece like a rose. It shall be a coaster once it's done being colored and sealed. I feel kinda proud of it, so I stuck it here... mods, if I'm wrong, I'm sorry, feel free to move it!! <3 Just realized there's a fuzzy by the center, it's not a mistake or blemish... just a leather fuzzy. I'm sorry! >,<.

For me, if I'm painting white over, it works better if I wait at least overnight, buff the dye, then seal it. Then I do the white paint, then reseal.