All that is gold does not glitter...

[Schno]

Thanks Dan

I found a lovely little thing called a stencil cutter (which is really just a wood burner with a set of very fine tips). You can pick them up at art stores for ten or fifteen dollars. All I do is transfer the letters to the leather with tracing film and a stylus, then go over the impressions with the fine point of the stencil cutter. It goes through the leather like butter after it's had time to warm up. As you can see, it allows for very fine detail.

Edited November 13, 2009 by Schno

[HARVEY]

Thanks Dan

I found a lovely little thing called a stencil cutter (which is really just a wood burner with a set of very fine tips). You can pick them up at art stores for ten or fifteen dollars. All I do is transfer the letters to the leather with tracing film and a stylus, then go over the impressions with the fine point of the stencil cutter. It goes through the leather like butter after it's had time to warm up. As you can see, it allows for very fine detail.

Count me in on admiring that fine lettering. So, two questions; a) since I'm here in L.A. and you're in Van Nuys, do you have a commercial business where I might swing by, or are you out of your home, and, where'd you pick up that handy-dandy little stencil cutter? Joann's? Michael's? I'd like to look into it. Thanks!

Harvey

[AndyL1]

Awesome! Thanks for the tree. I've been searching for a good one with little time to draw one myself. This one is perfect! Cool little tool for the lettering as well.

Cheers,

Andy

[wyldflower]

Schno,

Absolutely lovely! Thank you so much for sharing ~ I am inspired!

Wyldflower

[wintermte]

Thanks Dan

I found a lovely little thing called a stencil cutter (which is really just a wood burner with a set of very fine tips). You can pick them up at art stores for ten or fifteen dollars. All I do is transfer the letters to the leather with tracing film and a stylus, then go over the impressions with the fine point of the stencil cutter. It goes through the leather like butter after it's had time to warm up. As you can see, it allows for very fine detail.

Thanks you for filling me in. I'm going to give this a try.

Dan

[RockSolid]

And there isnot even a Tandy Template for Elven Script!

Great Job!

[Crystal]

Beautiful job on this, Schno! I love trees and the clasps were a very cool detail. Thanks for the info on the stencil cutter. That will be something I will have to give a try someday!

Crystal

[ETW Grumpy]

That's really very impressive. Very classy of you to share the stencil cutter tip as well. Beautiful work.

[CitizenKate]

I have to add my voice to the accolades, Schno. That is a gorgeous piece of leather work, and you really have done justice to the theme.

Kate

[Schno]

Thanks, guys! The encouragement is much appreciated I'm very pleased to pass on the stencil cutter trick. With the wealth of tips and ideas that I've been able to garner from the amazing community here, I'm honored to be able to give something back!

I had some trouble with the leather stretching as I tooled the front side, so I've learned that my contact paper tactic doesn't quite cut it. I'm going to try the plexiglas/contact cement gig. There are few things as frustrating as things not quite lining up after you've done all the work on them!

Edited November 16, 2009 by Schno