Members DoubleC Posted July 9, 2012 Members Report Posted July 9, 2012 I'm doing a custom guitar strap and the guy wanted oak leaves and I told him I never figured him for a traditionalists. Told him I throw in some acorns and if he wanted Texas Roses it was Sheridan. He nixed the roses, and of course I did my own interpretation of oak leaves and acorns, but WHY do people do those all the time, and does it have a name or is it a style? With all the nature 'out there' why oak leaves and acorns? My 'leaf litter' against big oak tree. Not done or even close, just carved. Quote
Contributing Member Ferg Posted July 9, 2012 Contributing Member Report Posted July 9, 2012 Maybe because so many folks like them, hmmmmm?ferg DoubleC said: 1341799890[/url]' post='255716']I'm doing a custom guitar strap and the guy wanted oak leaves and I told him I never figured him for a traditionalists. Told him I throw in some acorns and if he wanted Texas Roses it was Sheridan. He nixed the roses, and of course I did my own interpretation of oak leaves and acorns, but WHY do people do those all the time, and does it have a name or is it a style? With all the nature 'out there' why oak leaves and acorns? My 'leaf litter' against big oak tree. Not done or even close, just carved. Quote
Members DoubleC Posted July 9, 2012 Author Members Report Posted July 9, 2012 Just oak leaves? Not maple, or lilac, or.......Anyway so it's not a style then? Tbhanks ferg Quote
electrathon Posted July 9, 2012 Report Posted July 9, 2012 Sheridan is a circular style of floral. Flower in the center, vines and leaves rotating around. Western floral is more common in the older patterns (like many of the Stohlman patterns), it is a lot simpler, less busy style. many call western floral Sheridan because the name Sheridan sounds better. What you have done is not either one, knife cuts only one aspect of tooling. Quote
Members Sylvia Posted July 9, 2012 Members Report Posted July 9, 2012 On 7/9/2012 at 3:00 AM, electrathon said: knife cuts only one aspect of tooling. I think she knows that since she said she was not even close being done. Quote
electrathon Posted July 9, 2012 Report Posted July 9, 2012 Sorry, I missed that. I saw dye along the edge. Final step usually. Quote
Members DoubleC Posted July 9, 2012 Author Members Report Posted July 9, 2012 Rofl, only when you burnish the back and dye it and are messy about it. I understand your confusion though Aaron, but it's all beveled, tooled and real dye on the front. still don't think MINE is any kind of style but my own, but just wondered if oak leaves and acorns were a 'style.' Still needs finish, antiquing, backing and conditioning, but this will give you an idea. Syl, as usual you saw exactly what i wrote, thanks. Quote
Contributing Member Bob Blea Posted July 9, 2012 Contributing Member Report Posted July 9, 2012 Hi Cheryl, I think the main reason you see Oak leaves so commonly is they are a symbol of strength and longevity. Going back through the middle ages (and probably longer) Oak leaves were used as a symbol for strength and power because of the tree's longevity and strenght. A lot like the evergreen is commonly a symbol of eternal life or everlasting life. I don't think there is a 'style' name for it other than 'Oak Leaf'. I do think that us 'Northern European desendant' types quickly recognize the symbology, but maybe Polynesians or Brazilians wouldn't? Actually as I think about it, I think for the average person seeing a cowboy riding a saddle covered with Oak leaves would probably make more sense than seeing one riding a saddle covered in Poppies. Bob Quote
Members DoubleC Posted July 9, 2012 Author Members Report Posted July 9, 2012 Yes Bob I agree. The flowers and swirly viney things do see a little out of character albeit very pretty. Cowboys and pretty? Hmmm. Just doesn't fit some how but yet it has for over 200 years. Longevity, strength, those all make sense. thanks Bob. Cheryl Quote
Members DoubleC Posted July 10, 2012 Author Members Report Posted July 10, 2012 A friend of mine just told me people tool oak leaves because marijuana leaves are skinny and ugly. Probably not true, but sure was funny so thought I'd share. Cheryl Quote
Members Sylvia Posted July 10, 2012 Members Report Posted July 10, 2012 Don't forget your decorative cuts, CC. Just a few like what Aaron did. Quote
Members DoubleC Posted July 10, 2012 Author Members Report Posted July 10, 2012 Well FREAK, you mean like on the leaves? I cut so much on this strap I though I was gonna cut it in half, LOL. In the words of a very wise friend of mine, LORD LOVE A DUCK, what is that supposed to be. OK, More cuts, with Arron's pic in front of me. I don't know what this style is, but it's fussy and a pain in the royal asteric, grrrrr. But this is actually the most important strap I''ve done so far, so want it as poerfect as I can get it. Thanks Syl. Quote
Members wareagle Posted July 11, 2012 Members Report Posted July 11, 2012 I think for the leaves a lot depends on what part of the country you are from, here in New England, we sell a lot of Maple leaf designs. Quote
Members DoubleC Posted July 11, 2012 Author Members Report Posted July 11, 2012 LOL, War I live in VT. But the guy said he 'used to live on Oak St.' so it must have a lot of memories for him, because this is what he wanted. He doesn't mind that I did it a little different than what you would normally see. I made the leaf 'litter' 8" and the middle tree the same so it takes up the middle 24 inches at least (measurements are exact) of the 42 inch strap. I'll have to do some maple leaves some time. In OH where I grew up can remember climbing many a maple tree in my tomboy youth :-) Cheryl Quote
Contributing Member SooperJake Posted August 24, 2012 Contributing Member Report Posted August 24, 2012 If you are interested in some of the symbolism associated with Man and trees, (and a lot more) get hold of a copy of "A Reverence for Wood", by Eric Sloane. I recommend all of his books, actually. We are forever intertwined, after all. Don't we all have a trunk, limbs, and roots of out own? And a Family tree? and on and on..... Jake Quote
Members DoubleC Posted August 24, 2012 Author Members Report Posted August 24, 2012 Very true Sooper Quote
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