ArkieNewbie Report post Posted October 20, 2022 Afternoon Everyone, I am a new leather worker located in North East Arkansas. I got into this as a hobby about 7 months ago and I have loved it so far. I have made some minimalist wallets out of oil tanned and old baseball gloves, some valet trays, some purses, a wallet for my wife, I've done some glasses cases I shared recently on here, a laptop case, and a drawing pad cover I just finished up this week. I've just recently started trying my hand at carving and tooling and really enjoy it. Thank you to everyone who has responded to my posts so far with tips and tricks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gezzer Report post Posted October 20, 2022 Looks better than I can do , I will leave the what's good and not so good to those who know Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PastorBob Report post Posted October 21, 2022 Wow! way to jump in with both feet! Very industrious. I love the designs of your items. Something to consider... the one with the buckle strap may look better if the strap was stitched onto the back and brought over the top of the case instead of riveted. Also it appears that the edges of the same case were not beveled before slicked / burnished. By beveling the edges, it will give it a smoother look. The stitching looks pretty good too, except the one spot on the right pocket. I try to have the ends of the stitching stay on the inside of the piece so it isn't so noticeable where I burn it off (when possible). Great work! Keep it up! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArkieNewbie Report post Posted October 21, 2022 2 hours ago, PastorBob said: Wow! way to jump in with both feet! Very industrious. I love the designs of your items. Something to consider... the one with the buckle strap may look better if the strap was stitched onto the back and brought over the top of the case instead of riveted. Also it appears that the edges of the same case were not beveled before slicked / burnished. By beveling the edges, it will give it a smoother look. The stitching looks pretty good too, except the one spot on the right pocket. I try to have the ends of the stitching stay on the inside of the piece so it isn't so noticeable where I burn it off (when possible). Great work! Keep it up! Thank you for the kind words and tips as always! Yes sir, there are a few things I would definitely do differently on the laptop case. I made it after I had only been going for a month or so, I was even more green then than I am now. If I remember correctly the spot on that pocket is where I ran short on thread and had to start a new line. That case was auctioned off to benefit my daughters' home school co-op. I wish I could get it back and fix some things haha. But, I told my wife yesterday I am going to make it again but this time I am going to add a gusset and shoulder strap, and it will be for ME to carry my computer to work in. I agree about the strap also. I am thinking on the one I make for myself I'm going to opt for a Loxx fastener and lose the strap and buckle all together. I have also learned the benefits of the beveller in the past few months as well and the value of burnishing the edges of all pockets and pieces before assembly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArkieNewbie Report post Posted October 21, 2022 Here's a couple more things I've made. The other side of the blue wallet is the thumb of an old baseball glove my brother in law accidentally mowed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArkieNewbie Report post Posted October 21, 2022 18 hours ago, Gezzer said: Looks better than I can do , I will leave the what's good and not so good to those who know Oh come on now! I saw that carving you did the other day, don't sell yourself short, I thought it looked great. MUCH better than my first try! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gezzer Report post Posted October 21, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, ArkieNewbie said: Oh come on now! I saw that carving you did the other day, don't sell yourself short, I thought it looked great. MUCH better than my first try! While I thank you very much , unless I did a little " sleep tooling " that is not mine . But it is very nice as is your stuff ! I have figured this master carver stuff out ..... quite simple lots of time and even more leather Well right here is a CLASSIC old man moment ..... I thought the picture you posted was something you thought I did . I started to redo my post but I want all you younger folks to know what to expect down the road Edited October 21, 2022 by Gezzer I am OLD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArkieNewbie Report post Posted October 21, 2022 @Gezzer that gave me a good laugh for the day! The reason for the edit cracked me up! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gezzer Report post Posted October 21, 2022 16 minutes ago, ArkieNewbie said: @Gezzer that gave me a good laugh for the day! The reason for the edit cracked me up! I had to laugh at myself as well but the truth is the truth !!! Just think how much cheer I bring to my wife each and every day Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
