Tooled Purse

[hidepounder]

Very nice!!! Bob if you don't mind giving up secrets or such, how do you do the round border pattern? Do you use a plain seeder or is that acheived with a Carlos border style tool? Thanks for any advice. I really enjoy viewing your work, there is nothing better IMHO than a true craftsman/artist making something that they put all their heart and soul into. Your work is a true benchmark in the leatherworking world.

Nevada

Thanks Nevada! That border is just a large seeder between two bead borders.

Take care....

Bobby

Thanks for all the great comments, everybody! You are too kind.........

Bobby

[Slickbald]

I got to see this in person today. The pictures don't do it justice! Great meeting you Bob!

[PANTHER]

Bob,

Just OUTSTANDING!!! Thank you for posting.

Panther

[kseidel]

Hey Bob,

Beautiful job on the handbag! Nice use of the border stamp. Decorative knife work adds great accent. The insides take a long time to make and I appreciate the amount of effort you put into them. I respect the amount of time it takes to make a piece like this. The time to do extra nice work multiplies!

Any critique on something this nice would be only personal preference. I feel that the maker mark on the back panel is unnecessary, as you already have one on the front panel. I would have liked to see it worked into the tooling with more imagination equal to the rest of the design. Also thread is a size smaller than I like on the construction of an item of this thickness. Silver hardware for the front closure and shoulder strap buckle are great. Matching hardware for the side strap attachments would have been a worthy finishing touch. Only my opinions... not criticism.

Is this a custom order or is it for sale? How much do you charge for this bag?

A beautiful job! Thank you for posting for us to admire.

Respectfully,

Keith

[gtwister09]

Bob,

For some reason I have missed this thread. I did see it on another forum. As you already know I am a huge fan of these types of "broken" borders that use any design elements like these seeded ones, beaded, ribbons, meandering (San Carlos), various combinations and so forth. I really like the beaded/seeded borders and especially the seeded borders that are graduated. I likewise appreciate and study your style.

I agree with Keith and others about the quality of the work as always. A beautiful job as Keith stated is certainly in order.

Keith pointed out three things and I would certainly agree with a couple of them. The hardware attachment for the straps were the very first thing that jumped out at me... my impression is that these just don't complement the rest of the silver work. Just something to consider to complete the "whole" impression. On the maker's mark on the back, I always struggle with placements but on this one my preference would be in line with Keith. As Keith stated these are preferences. I on the other hand respectfully disagree with Keith and do like the 69 thread on this piece. I might have tried 92 (this may be what Keith is alluding to or maybe a 138) but I would have had to look at it. As we have discussed many times I feel that people go too far the other direction and use "heavier" thread than needed as well as longer stitches. My preference for these type of items is smaller stitches per inch and smaller thread versus using a 207/277 thread and 5 stitches per inch. However with that said I have had people request a "saddle stitch" just like that for a wallet because they want it to look stout. I just feel (my preference) that the higher stitch count and lower thread sizes make products like purses, handbags, wallets, etc look more refined.

This piece is certainly a beautiful stunning piece.

Keith... I likewise like the refined look of your products as well. If you wouldn't mind sharing with us, I would like to know what thread and stitches per inch you would have utilized in this situation. I would also assume that you and your shop have some sort of standard that you utilize for not only these but other gear as well.

Regards,

Ben

[hidepounder]

Hey Bob,

Beautiful job on the handbag! Nice use of the border stamp. Decorative knife work adds great accent. The insides take a long time to make and I appreciate the amount of effort you put into them. I respect the amount of time it takes to make a piece like this. The time to do extra nice work multiplies!

Any critique on something this nice would be only personal preference. I feel that the maker mark on the back panel is unnecessary, as you already have one on the front panel. I would have liked to see it worked into the tooling with more imagination equal to the rest of the design. Also thread is a size smaller than I like on the construction of an item of this thickness. Silver hardware for the front closure and shoulder strap buckle are great. Matching hardware for the side strap attachments would have been a worthy finishing touch. Only my opinions... not criticism.

Is this a custom order or is it for sale? How much do you charge for this bag?

A beautiful job! Thank you for posting for us to admire.

Respectfully,

Keith

Hi Keith....

Thanks for your comments. I'm always glad to hear from you and I respect your opinion. You're so right about the time these pieces take. I've done enough of them to know better and I still under estimate what it takes to build the interiors, LOL.

You know I hadn't given the makers stamp much thought and now in retrospect I have to agree with you. That's a good tip!

Jill and I both agree with you about the side strap attachments also. When the bag was finished, the lack of attention there was obvious. Unfortunately, at that point it was too late to get swivels made....now I think we will.

I made the bag specifically for the gear show in Elko as I had to be there for the carving class anyway and we won our category. The price for the bag is $2000.

Thanks Keith...

Bobby

[hidepounder]

Bob,

For some reason I have missed this thread. I did see it on another forum. As you already know I am a huge fan of these types of "broken" borders that use any design elements like these seeded ones, beaded, ribbons, meandering (San Carlos), various combinations and so forth. I really like the beaded/seeded borders and especially the seeded borders that are graduated. I likewise appreciate and study your style.

I agree with Keith and others about the quality of the work as always. A beautiful job as Keith stated is certainly in order.

Keith pointed out three things and I would certainly agree with a couple of them. The hardware attachment for the straps were the very first thing that jumped out at me... my impression is that these just don't complement the rest of the silver work. Just something to consider to complete the "whole" impression. On the maker's mark on the back, I always struggle with placements but on this one my preference would be in line with Keith. As Keith stated these are preferences. I on the other hand respectfully disagree with Keith and do like the 69 thread on this piece. I might have tried 92 (this may be what Keith is alluding to or maybe a 138) but I would have had to look at it. As we have discussed many times I feel that people go too far the other direction and use "heavier" thread than needed as well as longer stitches. My preference for these type of items is smaller stitches per inch and smaller thread versus using a 207/277 thread and 5 stitches per inch. However with that said I have had people request a "saddle stitch" just like that for a wallet because they want it to look stout. I just feel (my preference) that the higher stitch count and lower thread sizes make products like purses, handbags, wallets, etc look more refined.

This piece is certainly a beautiful stunning piece.

Keith... I likewise like the refined look of your products as well. If you wouldn't mind sharing with us, I would like to know what thread and stitches per inch you would have utilized in this situation. I would also assume that you and your shop have some sort of standard that you utilize for not only these but other gear as well.

Regards,

Ben

Hi Ben and thanks!

Yes we both enjoy some of those "old timey" borders. It is hard to come up with new ones to use....everything has already been done at one time or another so we have to resurrrect some of the old stuff.

Sometimes I have a hard time deciding what thread size to use. As time goes by I seem to be drawn to smaller and smaller thread and I sometimes wonder if I'm getting carried away. It seems I'm always going to some extreme or another, LOL! I'm not sure what size thread Keith would have used on something like this, but I can tell you about something he and a few others do that I really like. Keith often will antique over the thread so that it is colored to match the rest of the piece. The sewing still looks refined and decorative, however, there is less contrast and everything blends better. I have come to really like that effect.

Thanks for your comments Ben!

Bobby

[kseidel]

Keith... I likewise like the refined look of your products as well. If you wouldn't mind sharing with us, I would like to know what thread and stitches per inch you would have utilized in this situation. I would also assume that you and your shop have some sort of standard that you utilize for not only these but other gear as well.

Regards,

Ben

On items like this I use 138 thread top and bottom and stitch at 10 stitches per inch. For saddles, I use 277 on top and 207 bottom and stitch at 8 stitches per inch. On strap goods requiring a bit heavier thread, I use 207 top and bottom and stitch at 9-10 stitches per inch. I like tighter stitching and a thread size that fills the needle holes, so I tend to use smaller needles and awls relative to thread size.

Hi Keith....

Thanks for your comments. I'm always glad to hear from you and I respect your opinion. You're so right about the time these pieces take. I've done enough of them to know better and I still under estimate what it takes to build the interiors, LOL.

You know I hadn't given the makers stamp much thought and now in retrospect I have to agree with you. That's a good tip!

Jill and I both agree with you about the side strap attachments also. When the bag was finished, the lack of attention there was obvious. Unfortunately, at that point it was too late to get swivels made....now I think we will.

I made the bag specifically for the gear show in Elko as I had to be there for the carving class anyway and we won our category. The price for the bag is $2000.

Thanks Keith...

Bobby

Bob,

I wrestle with maker stamp placement. I don't want my name all over an article, but I want it some place that it can be found, but not be the focal point. I usually put it under a flap like you have on your front panel. Some makers have put their mark in a flower center and some put shell borders around the stamp..., I just have not settled on how I like it best for me.

I made a new handbag for my wife about a year ago, and at the last minute realized I needed silver and engraved rings for the handle. Thankfully I did not have a deadline to meet. I spent so much time making the insides and getting the construction precise that it made it less than profitable. I determined that I would charge $4500 for one like it. (It had a $1000 multi color gold concho on the front) I really do not care if I never have to make another one. HAHA

I'm not sure what size thread Keith would have used on something like this, but I can tell you about something he and a few others do that I really like. Keith often will antique over the thread so that it is colored to match the rest of the piece. The sewing still looks refined and decorative, however, there is less contrast and everything blends better. I have come to really like that effect.

In addition, I use natural color thread. I like the look of linen thread, but do not like it for durability. So I use a natural color of nylon thread.

Question for you Bob....

You have a section of basket stamping on the back panel between two finished panels. Is there an outside back pocket? Why did you chose this type of construction?

Always great to talk with you guys.

Keith

[kid terico]

Hidepounder thats some beautiful work your showing. Great design and carving. KT

[gtwister09]

Bob,

Thanks! It really doesn't matter how old the patterns are but how we creatively apply them in new and refreshing ways. You have successfully accomplished that!

I have studied Keith's pictures, web site and such and see exactly what you are saying about the blended stitching as well.

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Keith,

Thank you for the response. I tend to favor straight, deep-set and completely filled thread holes. This to me is the ultimate quality thread. My next choice would be a slanted one that is deep set and has a filled thread hole or ones that are partially visible. I likewise utilize the stitch counts that you use as well as sticking to smaller needles (usually have to use them to have filled stitch holes).

Your thread selections are certainly in line with what I consider more refined looking stitching on various pieces of gear. Likewise a compiled listing from numerous sources confirms your selection as well. Of course going from the 69 to 138 thread you have doubled the strength of stitching.

A question for both of you... Do you guys consider using 92 thread or do you use the others due to availability?

Regards,

Ben