Introduction

[MaxxEmpire]

I was quite pleased to find this board today. It was a crappy day in general as I was just feeling a bit jaded in the shop; unartistic and unmotivated. Not good when its your own business. So I thought I would look around for some like minded folks (leatherworkers mind you, not uninspired slackers as was my mood) Voila, I find this forum. I have already enjoyed browsing the catagories and have seen some beautiful works here.

Mainly I have been a mask maker although that was never my intent. I have always enjoyed working with leather and found out I especially enjoy sculpting and molding leather which lends itself well to masks. I also dabble in horse tack (mostly for my own horses) some apparel and the odd set of bracers now and then. Leather work has been my sole source of income now for 10 years and if I can keep my sanity will be so for years to come.

I have attatched a few samples of my work.

[Warren]

Welcome and I must say that is very interesting work you do! by all means post some more!

[abn]

I second the call for more pics! That's clearly beautiful work you've posted already.

It's great to have you here! -Alex

[freak]

perrrrfect. First off welcome and i already love your work just from seeing the two pics. I want to make a mask alot like the one in you avatar for a friend. So get ready for some good ole Q & A. I'll be the Q part.

And by all means post more and throw up a link if you got it.

[Beaverslayer]

Welcome Maxx, good to have you here on the forum. I had a look at you're website, and I must say I am TOTALLY AMAZED. Some of those masks are jsut FANTASTIC. The Chief Head one I stared at for the better part of 10 minutes. Great work, and thanks for showing up and letting us see your work.

I know you are going to be asked a lot of questions, so don't be scared off.

Ken

[Don101]

Hi Maxx welcome to the forum, were glad you found us and i must say some fantastic works of art on you web page, Don

[TimberWolf]

Welcome Maxx! Nice work! There are a few of us here from Georgia...I am in Jasper, GA

Tim

[MaxxEmpire]

Thanks for the kind welcomes!

I am sure I will be asking many questions as well. I am really looking to doing more stiching on some heavier pieces as I have been having some fun doing some armour pieces. I wont get into in this post as I have yet to read all the posts already here on handstiching and machines.

I have added my web site link and here are a few more shots of what I have done in the past;

On my wife is a Mardi Gras mask/headdress it consisits of two pieces of leather. (2002)

The full face was made for the WWF wrestler "Dr. Death" for a single scene on the show RAW. (1999 I think)

[william]

Welcome Maxx

Im in Georgia as well but I just do leather craft as a Hobby. Very nice work thanks for sharing. Im in Fairburn.

[abn]

Maxx, for those of us who might like to try a simple mask, could you explain the basics? I guess the main question is how to do the molding. I imagine you'd buy some sort of human head mold from a craft store and use that for the basic form. But how do you get the other contours, like the eyebrows, etc.?

I'd appreciate any info you're willing to share. Regards, -Alex