ocean fish belt

[ClayB]

Last summer we made a trip to Salt Lake City to visit my family. While there, my dad took me to the Tandy store and the Leather Factory store. One of my relatives came along and was really interested in all the leather stuff in the store. He was looking at some of the embossed belt blanks and said he really would like a new belt. I told him I could make him one (he was looking at the basket stamped ones at the time) He asked if I could put a design on it and I said I could. Then he asked if I could put fish on it. Well, I probably could, but I sure wasn't excited about it. First of all I don't like to make belts, so why didn't I just keep my mouth shut? Second, I don't like to carve small animals like they would have to be on a belt. Third, who wants to carve a fish???? Well, I said I could so I decided I had put it off long enough and decided to give it a try. He likes to fish in the ocean and I remembered Al Stohlman showing some fish in some of his early figure carving books that might work. My wife suggested trying to combine them with a belt pattern from Bob Beard that I really like, so that's where the pattern came from. I finished up the carving this evening, and I actually kind of like how it turned out. The next thing is the guy said he would like the belt black. Well, that just isn't going to happen. I don't know how I will finish it, but I wont dye it black.

Here are some pictures of how it looks now.

[freak]

WOW !! that's some tight work. Very nice Clay, i like the design as well and i'm sure he'll love it.

[HorsehairBraider]

Beautiful! But I personally would sweat bullets over where to punch the holes... the whole thing is so nice, I would be scared to change anything! You probably have that all figured out though...

Your story reminds me of a saying, "The fish wouldn't get caught if he'd keep his mouth shut". But this time it really worked out GREAT!

[rdb]

I think you framed the fish perfectly between the floral pattern. Good job

[Don101]

Clay that has turned out realy nice and does blend in very well with the pattern, Don

[johnny7]

All I can say is wow. that is a beautiful belt Clay!!

[Knotnutz]

Beautiful work - and please, don't give in and dye it black - that would simply ruin a gorgeous piece of carving.

[BruceGibson]

Very nice! And I wouldn't dye it either!

[Regis]

Excellent. I'd antique. Looks like sailfish, marlin, and swordfish. Is that correct? I've avoided belts for myself 'cuz I can not figure out a design that long [lol].

[bustedlifter]

Looks great! Another vote for not dyeing it black. People want it black, so I make it black, then they ask what happened to the carving that was on there.Go figure.

[MikeG]

Clay, send ME that beautiful belt - I'll trade you for a black one & you can tell him when you're deep sea fishing those fish are way down deep where you can't see them!

BEE-YU-TI-MOUS work!!!

Edited December 9, 2007 by MikeG

[CitizenKate]

You finally did the fish belt! Nice! I love Bob's scroll designs. Wouldn't you know he'd want all that beautiful carving dyed black?! I agree - whatever happens, don't do it.

Kate

[Roger]

came out great clay! and he wants it my favorite color

[hiloboy]

Clay.real nice job on the belt.. not much call for making ocean type fish belts there in North Dakota maybe you can paint the fish black and tell him their black marlin

[ClayB]

Thank you all for the comments on the belt. I guess I shouldn't have worried about it for the last 5 months. Regis, according to the labels on the patterns, you got the fish right. We don't have fish like that anywhere near here so I had to hope "Uncle Al" knew what he was doing. I'd kind of like to paint the floral part of the belt shades of brown with acrylics like Bob does it, since it was his pattern, but I really don't know yet. I think it would also look nice just oiled and finished with neat lac. I'll let you all know what I did when it's finished, unless of course I really mess it up.

[llasso]

I went through the same situation you did. I also hate to make a belt but I did for a relative. He wanted me to carve bass so I did. I will never make another one. I must say yours turned out better than mine. All I wanted to do is get it done. Very nice work.Larry

[fishguy]

You should make or buy a plain black belt and give it to him. When he asks where the fish are, tell him you can't see them because it is dyed black. Then show him the belt colored the way you like it (or not)

[indypbear]

Clay,

I agree with everybody on the black. You might try the Fiebings Black Antique acrylic leather stain just for yuks and giggles on a separate piece to see the effect first. Just a thought. :biggrin:

JKK