corter Report post Posted March 18, 2008 haven't posted in a while but i've hit about the 6 month mark since i first started working with leather so i figured i'd update. i've been swamped with a lot of the same stuff over and over again, but slowly building a nice little buisness for myself (crazy after such a short time). here's a couple updates on my work, i've been trying to press in my stitching as it was suggested last time i posted some pieces, but mostly i've been working on my pocketing/edging and getting everything straight and as machine-made looking as i can, without a machine. I've also been trying to design pieces that flow and function but look nice too i'm also getting the bug to try some tooling...we'll see. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted March 18, 2008 As I recall it you are studying (or have recently) design in one way or the other? Well, it clearly shows if that's the case. Very nice, clean and cunning designs and I think those probably has alot of thought about function from your side. I like the natural ones best 'cuz the braided string shows at it's best that way. Congrats on the nice business opportunity Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatheroo Report post Posted March 18, 2008 love the design and natural color and the braiding is sweet!!! looking forward to more pics Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beaverslayer Report post Posted March 18, 2008 Yes, I'm with the others on the natural color, although the black doesn't look bad at all. Very nice design and the stiching is great. Glad to hear you've carved yourself a niche in the market. Ken Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Report post Posted March 18, 2008 (edited) Corter, Your work absolutely knocks me out. I love the clean simplicity of your work. Great, great work. Please keep posting and show us more of your work.....how about a tutorial on how you go about it? Also tell us about yourself...Where are you? etc. Dave Theobald Edited March 18, 2008 by David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bustedlifter Report post Posted March 18, 2008 Slick! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
corter Report post Posted March 18, 2008 Corter,Your work absolutely knocks me out. I love the clean simplicity of your work. Great, great work. Please keep posting and show us more of your work.....how about a tutorial on how you go about it? Also tell us about yourself...Where are you? etc. Dave Theobald thanks everyone! as far as design goes, really the only thing that i call my own out of these pictures is that first cardholder, which was a collaborative design with a customer/friend that ended up being a favorite of other customers as well. the regular snap wallet is my take on japanese leather wallet design (a lot of my stuff is), like the ones seen Here . i got into the craft by wanting one but not being able to afford the $300 price tag...so i made my own. more pictures of my work: heres a guitar pick holder I made recently as well: and a cardholder with a died inner lining (first time using a lining) and thinner pockets to keep the thickness to a minimum this is a repost, but since the site went down recently, heres a long wallet i did over christmas: I really owe a lot to this site, just reading and learning about everyone's work. it's nice to have a place to post random, beginner wuestions and not get shot down. so thanks everyone! and thanks for the kind words as well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted March 18, 2008 Well, I've been a fan from the start! Even your earliest work showed off some really graceful lines, and having visited the Japanese site, I can see where you're getting your inspiration. Keep up the good work, and keep posting those pics! Best, Alex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spider Report post Posted March 18, 2008 I like your work. You are a bazaro me. I usually make stuff that looks like it was made by hand and it shows. lol Kinda cavemanish....LOL You have a great talent. I've also just been doing leather for almost a year and I love it. Look forward to seeing more of your fun stuff. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ETW Grumpy Report post Posted March 18, 2008 You must be a natural. Your design is great, your pieces are clean and functional as well as pleasing to the eye. Your stitching is top notch. I would suggest using a stitching groover. From the pictures posted, it looks like you didn't. Might just be my eyes, though. I like the little hinge/gusset at the fold. I would also like to know what goes into construction of one of these little beauties. What weight leather is this? Thanks for posting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jammon Report post Posted March 18, 2008 Nice stuff! I hope I'm doing that quality of work at 6 months in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Duke Report post Posted March 19, 2008 I agree with grumpy, a stitching groover would make it look good, but it looks good now too. just add that extra pop to it. that an the person that is carying it wont have to worry about having it restitched cuz they caught it on something an busted a stitch. if you do get a stitching groover, also get an overstitcher to help you evenly space your holes.keep up the good work. how about a tutorial on the braiding? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
corter Report post Posted March 19, 2008 I agree with grumpy, a stitching groover would make it look good, but it looks good now too. just add that extra pop to it. that an the person that is carying it wont have to worry about having it restitched cuz they caught it on something an busted a stitch. if you do get a stitching groover, also get an overstitcher to help you evenly space your holes.keep up the good work. how about a tutorial on the braiding? i do use an overstitch wheel, i just don't use a grover because of all the curves in the pieces. I've had my first wallet for 6 months and the stitching's fine, i really think it'd be hard to bust a stitch, no? i learned to braid from this site! don't remember where i found a tutorial but it's here. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 What an improvment im impressed as to how far you have come in such a short time i take my hat of to you, i love the natural also, and congrats that you are selling your work, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
abn Report post Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) i do use an overstitch wheel, i just don't use a grover because of all the curves in the pieces. I've had my first wallet for 6 months and the stitching's fine, i really think it'd be hard to bust a stitch, no? Yep, indenting the stitches would be largely a cosmetic improvement on a wallet. It's important to indent on something like a sheath because minor abrasions in the field will wear the stitching out over time. But this isn't necessary on a wallet unless you like the way it looks. I don't blame you for not wanting to use a groover on all those curves! Edited March 19, 2008 by abn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoyden Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Love those wallets. They're beautiful. Some Japanese craftsmanship is beautiful. I remember watching an elderly man make a wooden chest with inlaid wood when I was in grade school and sitting there fascinated at his patience and skill. Your stitches are beautiful, but I'd suggest trying to recess them a little. Someone like my husband who abuses the hell out of his wallets or myself, who is just a klutz would end up ripping them out by catching them on something. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
