New To Leatherworking, My 2Nd Project

[wawa]

Hey leatherworking community! I didn't know about this site until the manager at my local Tandy Leather Factory outlet told me about it. I just started getting into leathercraft in february and have only made two projects. My first project was a disc golf bag that holds 3 frisbees. This is my second project. It is a costume piece backpack that was made to hold a 3l camelpak water bladder. This piece evolved with every single step because, being unaccustomed with leatherworking, i was unsure how things would come together. Here is a chronicle of it's construction. Originally this pack was going to sling over one shoulder but i had to turn it into a more conventional backpack design. This bag is going to be part of my costume for burning man this year

Then i forgot to take a bunch of pictures in between this last one and the next

I wetformed the closure flap to look like a leaf by letting it dry over pens which made the leaf spine effect. I also had to glue a piece of heavier leather inside to hold the concho i used (it's to be installed into that hole punched)

I used a couple different green dyes to get the effect of a more natural looking leaf. and added some quick designs into the cross straps then painted them with a gold glittery dye

Close up of hand stitching

Concho used to retain flap closure

First row of leaves used on the pauldron

This is where i turned it into a backpack style

As a backpack instead of a a sling it's able to support the weight of the water bladder (and 2 lightsabers :D )

As a final touch i tooled some orchids into the new shoulder strap. This is dear to me because they are a copy of the tattoo i have that the strap covers

[salvi]

Wonderful! You're very creative and ingenious on your art.

Thanks for sharing

[builderofstuff]

very creative. I really like it.

Chris

[Charke]

That's amazing for your first leather project. Heck, for your 10th leather project, that's amazing.

Mark Charke