RustyMelton Report post Posted July 25, 2008 Hi everone I just wanted to introduce myself. I found this website while searching for info on leatherworking. I've been messing with it for about a year now, mainly making pool cue cases. I'm hoping to get better at carving, I've mainly been stamping patterns on them. Anyway I just wanted to say HI. Rusty Also I'll try to post a picture of a case I made. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanCantwell Report post Posted July 26, 2008 Hi Rusty, Welcome to the net. For 'just messing around' that's a cool case, keep up the great work and post us some more. Ian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RustyMelton Report post Posted July 26, 2008 Hi Rusty,Welcome to the net. For 'just messing around' that's a cool case, keep up the great work and post us some more. Ian thanks Ian, It turned out pretty nice, Its 10 oz. leather and all handsewn. I'm working of one now thats got carving all the way down the back, on the lid and on the pockets. I'm really new to carving but figured what the heck I'm never going to learn if I don't try. Thanks Rusty ps I'll try to post a few pics of it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillB Report post Posted July 27, 2008 Rusty, Welcome to the forum. Nicely done on the case. I look forward to see your first carving project. We all had our "First Project", unfortunately, when I did mine (circa 1970) this forum was not around and I really could have used the advice, constructive criticism and support that the members here provide. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RustyMelton Report post Posted July 27, 2008 Here's a couple of pics Bill. I really didn't have any carving patterns so I used that one borrowed from tandys website. I really would have liked to of had one that looked more like one long flowing carving instead of it being the same pattern over and over. It's pretty crude but it's only for me anyway. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I'm really glad I found this site, there's some great stuff here! Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$$hobby Report post Posted July 29, 2008 hi and welcome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tpsorion Report post Posted July 29, 2008 Rusty, the carving looks good to me. Welcome to the forum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jordan Report post Posted July 29, 2008 That is one sturdy case should outlast many a cue. Welcome to the best leather place on earth or at least the web. Jordan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RustyMelton Report post Posted July 29, 2008 That is one sturdy case should outlast many a cue. Welcome to the best leather place on earth or at least the web. Jordan I just want to say thanks to all for the warm welcome here. And I agree Jordan this is the best leather place anywhere, I'm completly blown away with it. Some of the leather work here is outstanding! I've gotten so many ideas I can't wait to start something else, but I better finish what I've got started first . Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
calanneh Report post Posted July 29, 2008 Hey Rusty! Your pool case and carvings look grewat buddy!! Welcome to the group! cal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillB Report post Posted July 30, 2008 Rusty, When I started all I had was Tandy Kits and Patterns. I carved mostly in the Sheridan style. Today I do Native American Totems following the North West Art Style. You can find some of my work in the Specialty Leatherwork Board, Other Specialties, Art. The Thread is NA Totems and Totem Poles in Leather. I am still working all all the techniques that will follow the Art Style that has been documented from the Master Carvers. I have also used some pictures of beading patterns used by the Upper Great Lakes Indians (Ojibwa, Winnebago, etc) work very well on leather and provide a running flower pattern. You may also want to look at Creating Nature Designs on Leather by Tandy The copy I have is dated 1973 so I am not sure if it is in print anymore. You may also want to look at some of F.O. Baird's books such at Leather Art. It is very informative on technique. I am also using books containing pictures of Wild flowers to develop my own templates. I would encourage you to explore all possible styles until you find the one you like or want to use as a base to forge a new style. You will find lots of different styles on Leatherworker.net. Since I can only speak for myself, I put examples of my work on this site so others can use them to learn and explore their techniques with. If you would like the original template I used, I am more than happy to provide it. That is one way we pass on our knowledge. Remember to have fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted July 30, 2008 If that's what you can do with only a years experience, we're all in trouble.... I would trust my cue in that, with 10/11 oz, that's as good as a hard case. Welcome to the Forum, you have found a home. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RustyMelton Report post Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) Bill your work is great. I really like the the tribal birds. The 2nd one down and the 5th one down are my favorites. I will would like to give something in this style a try. Thanks for the idea! rdb, it is kind of like a hard case, its got pvc tubes in it with cordura material in them. It's pretty protective, or at least I hope. Thanks for the nice words everyone. Edited July 30, 2008 by RustyMelton Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillB Report post Posted July 30, 2008 Rusty, The first one you picked out is a Thunderbird Dancer. The Native Americans believed that at one time Humans and Animals good exchange shapes and is why the totem appears to have hands and feet. It is called two dimensional art and would have been painted following some basic rules. The Black areas are called primary lines and would have been Black. The white areas are called voids or negative space and would either be white or natural since most paintings were done on wood. The grey areas are secondary or tertiary shapes. Red is the most common color for these shapes but blues, greens and a few other colors can be found. The second picture you picked is a Thunderbird done by an unknown Kwagiutl Tribal Artisan. The Thunderbird is the mythical animal that Ruled the Sky even over the Eagle. It was believed that a Thunderbird could pickup a whale in its talons and eat it. In this art form Birds of Prey such as the Thunderbird and Eagle have down turned beaks while Hawks have recurve beaks. The noted difference between the Thunderbird and the Eagle Totem is the Ear structure. Thunderbirds have the curled horn like ear while eagles have a flat topped ear. Do to file size I was only able to upload one picture. You will note that I have made changes from the original to try and effectively use the leather and the tools we use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don101 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 Hi Rusty welcome to the forum, that is sure some nice carving you have done, Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RustyMelton Report post Posted July 31, 2008 Thanks Don I apreciate the compliment and the welcome, I've got a long way to go. Bill, thank you for the info and the pattern. Now I know what to call them, instead of the birds . I'm going to give one of them a shot, I think they pretty cool. Rusty Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
