Finally back from post-Christmas hibernation

[Schno]

I finally dusted off the swivel knife and got back to work, and I'm very happy to be back amongst my fellow leather fiends! Is it just me, or does life seems to lose a little luster when you're not creating something?

Since I began pounding leather last year, my favorite belt wore out and I just could not bear to go out and buy another one because, "that would be silly. I'll just make one". Well, after three months of losing weight and constantly pulling my pants up to escape utter embarrassment, I pounded out my first belt project...

The letters here are anglo-saxon runes called 'futhark'. They spell out the first line of the Tolkien poem that is my credo: "The road goes ever on and on". The studs separate the words, thus the seemingly random spacing.

Here's my favorite bit from that poem...

The road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began

Now far ahead the road has gone

And I must follow if I can

Pursuing it with eager feet

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet

And whither then, I cannot say

I haven't yet found a buckle that I really like for it. I'd like to find something with a medieval motif to it, perhaps with knotwork to go with the belt. I've seen some online, but none of them have really hit the mark. If anyone knows of a good resource for those kinds of fittings, I'd be most appreciative!

[TwinOaks]

Hey, welcome back! It was looking like you'd dropped off the planet ( or were doing a stretch ) For your buckle....do you have any metalworker friends? If so, you could get some heavy guage stainless wire, twist it into a 'knot work' buckle then have them heat and press it flat for you.

[Schno]

I have found some very cool and talented friends, but unfortunately to date, no one has shown up to fill the blacksmith position. The Southern California Renaissance Faire is coming up, though, so I'm hoping to find a lead there. Ultimately, I'd like to find a good, solid resource for historic reanactment fittings from buckles to conchos.

[AndyL1]

I have found some very cool and talented friends, but unfortunately to date, no one has shown up to fill the blacksmith position. The Southern California Renaissance Faire is coming up, though, so I'm hoping to find a lead there. Ultimately, I'd like to find a good, solid resource for historic reanactment fittings from buckles to conchos.

Killer belt! Try Oberon designs for a good buckle:

http://www.oberondesign.com/shop/cart.php?...t_list&c=61

I have 3 of theirs and they are beyond perfect. All cast by them too. True artisans.

Cheers,

Andy