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Greetings, Just thought I would show some of the stuff I make. I'm showing for a couple of reasons. (1) People are occasionally asking about putting lettering on leather (vegetable tanned) in circles and (2) Some design features of medallion holders and pen/pencil holders and closures. The following four pictures show a book cover that I had obtain to permission from Cocaine Anonymous to make since their CA logo is a registered trademark. After I received the "one-time, single use" permission I used some moveable lead printing type to form the logo. The "CA" was formed with the Baskerville printing type font and the HOPE, FAITH and COURAGE were formed with the Stymie printing type fonts. The circles were sections of PVC pipe and metal pipe cut to the same height as the printing type. A book press was used to emboss the logo into the cased vegetable tanned leather. I wish I had a good clicker, but the book press works OK for me. The little ® registered trademark symbol was formed with a small letter "R" and the circle around it was just the light impress of a small hole punch The prayer in the center was produced by http://www.greyghostgraphics.com/stamps.html and was pressed into the leather with the same book press. The Grey Ghost graphic stamp was a stamp without a handle. The pen/pencil snap/strap is just a simple way to add to any completed slip-on book cover. The medallion holder is a little more complex. The applique sewing channel was formed like the circles in the logo and then a hole was cut out with a 1-1/2" punch. The leather was dyed with antique dye. Then a clear .020 vinyl section was glued to the back side of the applique patch with contact cement. The applique was temporarily placed on the front and the location for the second hole was marked on the cover. That marked hole was punched out with the same 1-1/2" punch. Then the applique was place in the cover, aligning the two holes, with double back leather tape from http://www.wawak.com/products/product.cfm?pID=8677. The applique was sewn on and the medallion was adhered to the piece the was punched out of the cover. The medallion/leather circle is placed in the hole a taped in with Gorilla tape. The medallion is easily changed by pealing back the Gorilla tape and replacing the medallion. If you would like more details on lettering on leather, please see: http://aaleatherbigbookcovers.com/download/Typography%20in%20Leather%20Article.pdf Hope this helps someone. Bob Stelmack.

I am looking for a stamping font for a set of Rodeo Queen Chaps. Similar to this pic. Any help would be appreciated.

Ok question. How do other leather crafters do it. i have been doing it for a long time. Black belts I use exclusively Herman oak 10-11oz leather. But anyways I stamp my letters then paint them. 2 coats angelus with 2-3 coats of angelus sealer . Then I use thr eco flo stain either the leteher dye or the water stain either or. I had a bad batch several bad batches of Fiebings dyes in black and USMC dye. Not good. I apply the stain and when I go over the letters I quickly wipe off dye on painted letters. Usually it comes off with good results but this gold letter I am just having problems and red. I need to go over and redo all the lettering . Question does anyone stain the whole belts first then use white on letters and then a couple coats of gold or other colors? Any help or tips should be so appreciated. Sorry the red is on another leather.

Hey everyone. I just watched a documentary that showed a Lady using a Dremel with a ball bit, with perfect cursive writing putting words on plastic for signs, in a very large scale. It was clear plastic laid over a ruled bench top, similar to what the pages were like when we all learned to write in cursive. I've got some of them type of bits for my Dremel, and I've done similar free hand stuff in wood with my Dremel for tree ornaments and such. I was just curious if anyone has tried this type of Free Hand Lettering in Leather with a Dremel? I have a bunch of little pieces (Yes, I'm a Pack Rat) and I thought about gluing them down to a piece of scrap wood and give a go at it and see how it comes out. If someone has done so, and can or would like to share some photo's that would make you a Super Hero! I guess my main concern would be to do it with wet or dry leather, and how fuzzy it would end up being. If someone has tried it and the outcome was less than acceptable, even if you could burnish it in some way, I wouldn't waste the time or material and save it for some other ridiculous idea. Thank You Kindly, one and all for any info one might be able to share.

Hi Everyone, I have been having some troubles perfecting my beveling for very small objects especially letters. Can anyone give me some tips on how to better tool these areas? i am using the smallest beveling tool offered, and try smoothing areas out with a modeling spoon but it doesn't seem to be doing the trick. I think it still looks a bit sloppy. I've included a couple snap shots of the order i am currently working on. Thanks

I want to make a fire shield for my helmet I use at my Volunteer Dept and have fount that the only fonts that I like are a bit to advanced for me to carve. I would be able to paint the letters on like some of the custom helmet shield makers do but really dont know how to go about doing it. I guess I am trying to figure out the best way to transfer the lettering oulines to the leather to then be painted. Any thoughts on the best way to go about this would be greatly appreciated. The shield is going to be dyed black and the lettering will likely be white with a red outline or shadow. What kind of paints should I use? The acrylic feblings dye I have feels a bit thin but I guess I could make it work. What do I use to transfer the font from printed paper to leather? (I have Photoshop and Aiso I can print it out exactly the way and size I want it if that helps..) Thnaks for the help! Joe

here is a picture of my first Roper Wallet that i have made without pre made interiors. it is all saddle stitched. i made it for my friend that works in the oil field here in TX and tooled a simple oil derick. and tooled his last name on other side.

Ok first time posting and i'm hoping you guys can help. I am trying to put someone's initials and a nickname into a wallet and a bracelet and i'm trying to figure out the best way to do that. I dont really like the font of the stamps out there for leather so i tried doing it on my own. I first wrote on the leather with a pencil and then tried to come back with a swivel knife but the curves in the script were too tight and the knife would just chew up the corners. I've tried following it up with an awl to press it in, didnt work, tried a stylus which worked better but didnt groove the lettering as much as i had wanted...the only thing that has come close is using a pen and softening the leather and just writing it over and over till it presses down somewhat deep enough, my only concern with that is the ink bleeding or fading away. So my question is this, is there a way to carve my lettering into the leather better than what i'm attempting to do? Size of lettering i'm doing is 3/4 to 1 inch lettering...thanks in advance.