Floral Carving

[electrathon]

My latest work. It is a checkbook cover I made for myself. Used a Tandy pattern for this one. Dyed brown with black kangeroo lace. Input and suggestions welcome.

Aaron

[terrymac]

My only suggestion is that if you are going to be tooloing Sheridan style is to get a couple of thumprints from Barry King. You will surprised at the difference in appearance in using the slimmer tool. I tried a couple of the Tandy versions and they just aren't the same.

Terry

[MADMAX22]

Looks pretty good, I wanted to comment on your lacing though, thats darn near perfect.

[electrathon]

Looks pretty good, I wanted to comment on your lacing though, thats darn near perfect.

Thanks. Bad lacing really bugs me. Once you learn to do it properly, it is easy.

Tricks: Get a set of lacing nippers from hidecrafters (http://www.hidecrafter.com/hci/index.php?/Hand-Punches/STITCHING-NIPPERS-3-PRON/flypage.tpl.html). Someone else may sell these, but never found them elsewhere. Use the diamond punch, it makes pretty holes and you can use it when you are hand sewing too. Use a set that is one size too small for your lace (use a 3/32 punch and 1/8 lace).

Make your slots close to the edge, about 1/8" in. Farther in does not look as good as right along the edge. Whatever you do, don't use round holes, they just look tacky.

Here is the trick: It is laced in one color but use two laces and use a double loop two toned lacing pattern. It really fills the space a lot better than a single lace can do.

Aaron

[electrathon]

I was hoping to get a coment or two on the color. Generally floral carvings are left lighter and the background is dyed darker. I dyed the entire piece on this one (50% Fiebings British tan diluted 50% with isopropyl). Used Neet-laq and then antiqued with dark brown paste antique.

My question is: Should I have gone lighter on the color? Darker? More red, brown, tan?

I am thick skinned here, Just looking for input.

Aaron

[colttrainer]

Myself I wouldn't change it at all. Nice to see something a little different for a change. Not enough people thinking out side the box.

Al