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It's done! Next on the list: a set of coasters for my sweet wife, and a replacement camera case for my son's antique Minolta SRT201. This was a fun project. It took so long because it's a hobby, not a job. I envy those of you who can turn around projects faster than this. I did find two serious design flaws. The three folds? gussets? (the places where it bends) are all the same 2-inch width. I should have made the inner one 1.5, the middle one 2.5, and the outer one 3.5 inches. I thought the 2 inches would be more than adequate for the tools inside. Related to that, I need to rethink the closure. I had been planning on using a simple Prusik knot to attach a 12-inch thong to the flap, and then wrapping the thong around a concho in the foreground of the waterfall. Now I don't know if I really want to do that. So for now, I've tied it shut with a bootlace. Got any advice for me? Some things I like about the design: The inner panels are removable and interchangeable. I'm going to make a second panel for stamping tools, to replace either the handled tools panel or the inner pouch. And if I decide to trade leatherwork for another hobby, I can design brand-new panels. The lacing looks so retro! I love it! My next project will be sewn, but I love the old-style look of this double-loop lacing. The carving and coloring is *chef's kiss*. After a hiatus of more than 30 years, I've still got it. But now I need to get serious about brushing up on Western Floral. Outside and inside One-third closed. This panel is hidden when it's fully closed. Front, back, and side when closed Tied shut with a bootlace I carved this little piece to match the base of the waterfall. I was going to color it to match, and cut out a circle in the right place, so I could use it as a concho . . .

This was one of my Christmas orders. The customer wanted a pretty specific design and layout. This was the first time I have done a notebook where everything was black except the tooled areas. That seems to be a popular style these days and I was glad to give it a try. She was thrilled with the result and I think I'll be glad to make this style again, though maybe in a smaller size. The basket weave design is all hand carved. I don't have a block stamp that size. I thought that would be a fairly simple design but I really underestimated the amount of work required to tool that large of a design. I did like how it turned out though and would do it again despite how labor intensive it turns out to be. I'm happy to hear any feedback.

Don Gonzales has just completed a 4 part series on his YouTube channel. It includes a free PDF pattern for you to download and follow along with him. He seems like a very down to earth teacher and really comes across well in his own style. I don't do any tooling yet myself, but I sure enjoyed the videos. Enjoy.

This was a project I made earlier this year. I was contacted by a woman that wanted a 5x8 notebook with a floral carving that matched the sunflower designs on her saddle. After she sent me some pictures this is what I came up with and she loved it. She chose the shell design for the back because she thought that just looked cool.

I have these DVDs for sale. All in great condition, each only watched once or twice. Check description and full prices on Jeremiah's and Cary's website. Jeremiah Watt's The art of Saddle making DVD: $290 Jeremiah Watt's Bucking Rolls and biscuits DVD: $10 Cary Schwarz The Ground seat DVD: $35 Cary Schwarz Flat Plate Fork DVD: $60 Cary Schwarz Seat Cantle Binding DVD: $60 Cary Schwarz Carving DVD: $30 Cary Schwarz Floral Design I DVD: $30 Cary Schwarz Floral Design II DVD: $30 Cary Schwarz Shop Technique I DVD: $30 Cary Schwarz Shop Technique II DVD: $30 The whole package: $500 Contact me for more details and shipping info. My email is pdsaddlery@gmail.com

Here is something that I made for my wife. It's a notebook designed to hold a 5" x 8" refillable notepad. It has a floral carvings in the corners front and back with a hummingbird and my wife's initials on the front and a geometric design on the back. The geometric on the back is probably too busy for the floral carving, as it kind of gets lost in the stamp design. If I did it again I would probably leave the floral off the back and just use the geometric design. I've had quite a few comments and questions on my Instagram account about this stamp, so I'll just say up front that this is a combination of stamps from Barry King. It is his Tri-Hex Hollow stamp and the Seashell Filler. The edges are laced with Tandy Calf lace and the interior is lined with pigskin. The whole piece was antiqued with Eco-Flo Saddle Tan to highlight the carving and stamping.

This is a custom case for a leatherman tool that I did recently. It's 5 oz. Hermann Oak that I wet molded on a wooden last that I made. It' has a hand tooled floral/engraving style design and initial. I used Fiebing's Medium Brown dye and Angelus Matte Finish. I also used a hidden magnetic closure to show off the tooling. It's lined with calfskin and hand stitched.

This was a small card holder I started near the beginning of this year. It was mainly to test dyeing techniques that I was going to use in a custom order I had for a large 8x11 notebook. I liked how the dyed flower came out but I never finished this up until just recently. I finally added the back pocket and stitched it all up and posted it to my Etsy site. Minimal card wallets don't get much more minimal than this! I like how it turned out and I definitely need to be using more color with my carvings.

Here's one I finished a few weeks ago. It is a leather notebook designed to hold an 8 1/2 x 11 refillable notepad. The front is a full floral design and the back has an inset pictorial carving of a mountain scene surrounded by basketweave stamping. The outer leather and interior pocket are Herman Oak, with a pigskin lining. The outer edge is laced with Whiskey colored Kangaroo lace from Packer in Australia. I made this as an entry in the World Leather Debut show in Sheridan, WY this year. It didn't place but it did score pretty well and I'm happy with it, though I do see a lot of room for improvement. I made it for my personal use so the customer is satisfied. The notebook was antiqued and in the pictures it looks pretty uneven, but most of that is just not setting up very good lighting when I took the pictures. Overall it came out pretty even color. Thanks, Bob

For Sale - My collection of floral patterns that I designed for my saddles. They are all original custom designed, based on the Sheridan style, but with some unique flowers and leaves. The patterns are pencil on mylar drafting film, which is heavier than the flimsy stuff that Tandy sells and takes the pencil lead much better. So, it's perfect for transferring to wet leather and can be erased and re-drawn to fit a particular part. There are full carve patterns for the seat, fenders, cantle, rigging and skirts, as well as some spot florals. Most have left and right design as well as the transition design from left to right for the seat. Most were made for round skirts and jocks, but one is for a more square skirt and jocks. Price: The entire bunch for $45 plus shipping. PM or email if interested.

Here is a project that I recently finished. Some of you may have followed its construction on Facebook. I wanted to post the finished piece here for others to see. I was asked by some friends to share what happened with this leather carving. This carving has found a home in Montana. It raised $4250.00 for the Great Falls Symphony Association at their Black Tie and Blue Jeans event on March 8th. The money that was raised goes toward their Education and Outreach Programs. This piece of art generated more activity and funds than any of the other items offered that evening. You can find out a bit more about what went into piece and why it is titled "Heart of Montana" by visiting http://elktracks.net/shop/print You can also get information on the prints that are now available.

Here's something I finished over the weekend. It was my first attempt at triple loop lacing. Not that hard to do but for some reason I kept messing up the corners. I really like the rest of the wallet except it's maybe a little too thick for my tastes. I'm going to make another and line it with pigskin behind the pockets next time to see if that might make it less bulky. Might also try one with a fabric lining for a little more decoration.

I actually made this back over the summer, but I had never managed to get it posted here. This was a custom order from a ranch in Nebraska that wanted a legal sized notebook that would hold an 8.5 x 14 inch pad. They wanted a full floral cover and basket stamping across the back, and their brand featured on the front. They also ordered some small notebooks (3x5 spiral bound) to go with it. One of those had a floral pattern similar to this one and the other two were just backed stamped, but they all had the same brand on them. Thanks for looking. Bob