Kevin King Report post Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) Just in time for St. Patricks Day! I present "Lucky". Many many layers of various skins on top of black pebble grain cowhide. 10 card pockets, three cash/long pockets, one zipper pocket. Custom one-off lucky charms lining. Custom hand-carved silver shamrock snaps keeps it shut. Edited March 17, 2012 by Kevin King Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyberthrasher Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Very nice. Did you do the snaps or did you find them somewhere? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin King Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Very nice. Did you do the snaps or did you find them somewhere? Thanks. I carved the snaps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtclod Report post Posted March 17, 2012 That's just pretty durn neat ! A Lucky Charms billfold. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sylvia Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Very cool! Applique awesome. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iron Pounder Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Very nicely done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Right back atcha Kevin.....To the luck of the Irish Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rosiart Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Very, very nice and I can't imagine the time it took to get that applique just right. Did you use PMC for the snaps? And I am going to be really bold and ask if there is a chance you could add the zipper pocket in the inards to your tutorial:begging: Rosemary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin King Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Very, very nice and I can't imagine the time it took to get that applique just right. Did you use PMC for the snaps? And I am going to be really bold and ask if there is a chance you could add the zipper pocket in the inards to your tutorial:begging: Rosemary Thanks! What is PMC? I'll add the zipper tut when I can find the chance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) PMC is "precious metal clay". It's metal mixed with an organic binder that burns away when the clay is fired in a kiln. It comes in several metals, including copper, silver, and bronze. The clay can be molded easily, and many faceted stones can be fired in place, so it has quite a following among some jewelers and crafters. Er, edit. "Organic" meaning carbon-based. Not "organic" as in veggies grown without chemicals. Edited March 17, 2012 by WinterBear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottishshoemaker Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Very Nice!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin King Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Oh ya. I've seen that stuff. Been meaning to give it a try. I carve my pieces in wax and send to a caster. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted March 17, 2012 Yah. It has it's advantages, but the fact that the binder burns out, it's really hard to get a high polish on it because bits of carbon remain microscopically bound to the silver. I know someone who does tufa, investment, and cuttlebone for her casting (she's not really set up for lost-wax), and she refuses to use PMC because the carbon--a lot of her work is mirror polished, and the PMC looks greyed next to the other stuff because of that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rosiart Report post Posted March 18, 2012 (edited) Yah. It has it's advantages, but the fact that the binder burns out, it's really hard to get a high polish on it because bits of carbon remain microscopically bound to the silver. I know someone who does tufa, investment, and cuttlebone for her casting (she's not really set up for lost-wax), and she refuses to use PMC because the carbon--a lot of her work is mirror polished, and the PMC looks greyed next to the other stuff because of that. Actually, that has not been my experience but I tend to use Art Clay Silver. I think it is a little brighter in colour. Both are rated at .999 FS when fired, so there can't be too much of anything left after firing. It does take some work for a mirror finish but I have seen some fabulous pieces done with that finish. Personally, I like a more organic look so haven't done much of that type of work. But the ability to mold and sculpt gives it a lot of design possibilities. Edited March 18, 2012 by rosiart Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WinterBear Report post Posted March 18, 2012 @rosiart I'll take your word for it. I don't mess around with either type, so I wasn't aware of the differences. I'm not a jeweler, you see, and can't really get into it (even though I'd like to). I rent, and the landlords tend to get a little hyper about oxy-acetelene gas, kilns, torches.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rosiart Report post Posted March 18, 2012 1332040208[/url]' post='239972']@rosiart I'll take your word for it. I don't mess around with either type, so I wasn't aware of the differences. I'm not a jeweler, you see, and can't really get into it (even though I'd like to). I rent, and the landlords tend to get a little hyper about oxy-acetelene gas, kilns, torches.... My dh gets a little hyper about it too. LOL I think the kiln bothers him less than when I was torch firing . Unfortunately I am not doing much with it now that the price of silver has gone sky high. I may have to finally bite the bullet and learn to work with the base metal clays. Their firings are more finicky though so I have been dragging my feet .The bronze would probably make great accents for leather though. Hmmmmm....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin King Report post Posted March 19, 2012 Here's a link to how the layers went down. Lucky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
