1st finished project in over 20 years

[zman7458]

Figuring things out is the hardest part and making templates and such. Should I charge for that time no one would buy anything from me, lol.

As soon as all thinking is done a project can come together faster than a fart in the wind.

I wave my stuff around alot in front of friends and that way I get portfolio orders where I have an order for something specific but getting quite free hands on what to tool, lacing, sewing and stuff and they get a pricecut instead. Making new stuff (learning), building up portfolio and get some money to pay off some of the vast amount of money it takes to get a decent shop up on two feet. That's not so bad.

Tom

I know what you mean Tom, but I'm strictly a hobbiest. I do crafts to relax after work not for work. I'll leave that to you pro's. what I meant to say was that my next project will be an expanding portfolio, I'm probably calling it the wrong name. its like an expandable file folder, but with individual sections for different files and a flap. like a brief case, but not as rigid and boxy

[Myriam]

thank you Myriam. 'tis true I haven't played with leather for 30 years, but I have and I guess always will ba a craftsman. in the interum I've played with hand made cabinetry (my pop was a cabinetmaker), all kinds of woodworking, metalworking (actually carving with a dremel), cake decorating ( a long story, but I wound up being an instructor for about a year with Wilton), photography (actually I've been an amatuer shutterbug since 14 years old) and on and on, but I always knew I would come back to leathercraft. it's just too darn fun not to.thanks Pip, its good to be back.

Wow, neat experience. I'd like to try my hand at metalworking one day. Sure would be nice being able to create my own conchos and such. I have so many ideas in my head, just not enough time and money to make 'em all!

[zman7458]

Wow, neat experience. I'd like to try my hand at metalworking one day. Sure would be nice being able to create my own conchos and such. I have so many ideas in my head, just not enough time and money to make 'em all!

it's similar to leather. a different set of tools and alot of time spent behind a magnifying glass. I found carving metal to be a little less forgiving than leather. its really not very expensive to get into a scroll saw, some jewlers files and a dremel with a few basic burrs and your set. oh and a lighted magnifying glass on a arm is a must, but I use that alot with my over 40 eyes (chuckle).

[Gremlin]

1st one in 20 years?? Sure don't look like it. That is amazing work. *VERY* well done.

[TomSwede]

I know what you mean Tom, but I'm strictly a hobbiest. I do crafts to relax after work not for work. I'll leave that to you pro's. what I meant to say was that my next project will be an expanding portfolio, I'm probably calling it the wrong name. its like an expandable file folder, but with individual sections for different files and a flap. like a brief case, but not as rigid and boxy

Oh an expandable portfolio! I just saw the word portfolio and thought "working on my portfolio".

I also consider myself an hobbyist but it sure would be nice to live of this. Papermill work is just plain boring but I'm very well paid with it so hard to break out (+ I'm very low on education). I just love to work with leather and can't really see myself get tired of that.

Tom

[zman7458]

1st one in 20 years?? Sure don't look like it. That is amazing work. *VERY* well done.

thanks Gremlin, nice of you to comment. staining is still giving me the heebie jeebies, but with the info I'm finding on this site I think I'll muddle through. it seems I ran across my old air brush compressor awhile back. I'm not sure how it survived the fire that wiped out all my old leatherworking goodies, but I'm gonna go see if I can find it and get it up and running. if not it would be a worthwhile investment if it saves me time and money redoing ruined projects. what a great site and fantastic group of people we have here!

[Myriam]

it's similar to leather. a different set of tools and alot of time spent behind a magnifying glass. I found carving metal to be a little less forgiving than leather. its really not very expensive to get into a scroll saw, some jewlers files and a dremel with a few basic burrs and your set. oh and a lighted magnifying glass on a arm is a must, but I use that alot with my over 40 eyes (chuckle).

Guess I'm off to a good start then. Already have the jewelers files and the dremel. Magnifying glass wouldn't be a problem but when it comes to the scroll saw, that's another story! I'm curious though, what do you use the scroll saw for? Oh, while I'm at it, what kind of burrs would I need to work metals? I have a bunch that came with the dremel and I also have a set of diamond bits.

[zman7458]

Guess I'm off to a good start then. Already have the jewelers files and the dremel. Magnifying glass wouldn't be a problem but when it comes to the scroll saw, that's another story! I'm curious though, what do you use the scroll saw for? Oh, while I'm at it, what kind of burrs would I need to work metals? I have a bunch that came with the dremel and I also have a set of diamond bits.

the scroll saw (jigsaw) I use is a table type (I think dremel even makes one or did) i had to modify the one I bought to hold a jewlers blade that is just a little thicker than a human hair, but they sell a chuck that will do that also. I use it to cut the metal to the shape I want. I use carbon paper to transfer the patern to the metal then tool it and lastly cut it out. dremel sells some very fine burrs, the diamond ones are good too. it really depends on the size of the peice and the gauge (thickness) of the metal. I like to work with aluminum because its fairly soft and polishes up really nice. I also work alot with a xacto knife for nice clean sharp lines. I think I have a few pics of some medallions I made here somewhere...here ya go. this was one of my favorites, I'm not anywhere near as good as the pro's but I enjoy the detail work anyhow. this one wasn't polished up yet in this pic so it looks rougher than what it should but you get the idea. you can't really get an idea of dimentions from the pic. this one was roughly 3" by 2.5" I believe

[Myriam]

the scroll saw (jigsaw) I use is a table type (I think dremel even makes one or did) i had to modify the one I bought to hold a jewlers blade that is just a little thicker than a human hair, but they sell a chuck that will do that also. I use it to cut the metal to the shape I want. I use carbon paper to transfer the patern to the metal then tool it and lastly cut it out. dremel sells some very fine burrs, the diamond ones are good too. it really depends on the size of the peice and the gauge (thickness) of the metal. I like to work with aluminum because its fairly soft and polishes up really nice. I also work alot with a xacto knife for nice clean sharp lines. I think I have a few pics of some medallions I made here somewhere...here ya go. this was one of my favorites, I'm not anywhere near as good as the pro's but I enjoy the detail work anyhow. this one wasn't polished up yet in this pic so it looks rougher than what it should but you get the idea. you can't really get an idea of dimentions from the pic. this one was roughly 3" by 2.5" I believe

Nice piece there. Thanks for the info, zman. I'll be sure to keep it in my mind. Guess I should go looking for already cut pieces to try my hand and see if I'll be any good. Putting that on my list of things to do during my summer vacation.

[zman7458]

Nice piece there. Thanks for the info, zman. I'll be sure to keep it in my mind. Guess I should go looking for already cut pieces to try my hand and see if I'll be any good. Putting that on my list of things to do during my summer vacation.

brass is another nice soft metal that polishes up real nice also. you might be able to find some plain conchos to practice on and if you like what comes out you could use them on your leather and blend the two crafts. never know til you try.

Edited April 12, 2008 by zman7458