Makers stamp on a "sign"

[bruce johnson]

On this pattern, I generally do it with either a horizontal basket pattern or my larger block and geomtric stamps. I find it follows the "flow" of the hotizontal lines better.

The first picture shows the stamp centered, and a cut line border around the makers stamp to resemble a board sign. The first few rows of baskets are also in place. On this pattern I try not to fade the stamping into the sign area too much. I want to make a distinct definition of the sign to make it appear to be standing above. The second picture shows the stamping pattern completed. It also shows a few mis-hits on the baskets. I didn't tape the back, the leather stretched, and I kept having to push it back to square. I took two minutes in the penalty box for that. The third picture shows everything beveled. I stood the beveler up a little more around the sign. I purposely made the lines around the sign a bit wavy to appear "rustic". In the last picture I have stamped the border and detailed the wood. I used a small matting tool to make knotholes, and chips out the boards. I used a stylus to add the appearance of woodgrain, and the tip to put in the nailheads. I ran a stylus through the seams of the boardss to lightly round them over and then lightly ran a skwivel knife over that trough to make the illusion of a distinct seam. There are some chatter marks showing up on the corners of the sign from the beveler. I would go over those and stamp them out. Another 2 minutes in the box.

[william]

I like it Great Work.

[David Fields]

I'm fairly new to leathercraft so I'm still learning. Does putting tape on the back of the leather keep it from streaching out of shape while tooling? What kind of tape? Seems like the moist leather would keep the tape from sticking.

[dbarleather]

Dave,

I personally use exposed x-ray film. I rough up the film and back of my leather to insure good contact, then I spray 3M multipurpose adhesive on the back of my leather and attach. I'll put a piece of marble on top of the leather and let it dry for a couple hours before I case my leather.

Works for me.....good luck

[bruce johnson]

FarmerDave,

There are several methods to preventing stretch. I am going to start a new thread on that in the "stamping" section.

[David Fields]

FarmerDave,

There are several methods to preventing stretch. I am going to start a new thread on that in the "stamping" section.

Thanks Bruce for the heads up! I'll be looking forward to it.

[David Fields]

Dave,

I personally use exposed x-ray film. I rough up the film and back of my leather to insure good contact, then I spray 3M multipurpose adhesive on the back of my leather and attach. I'll put a piece of marble on top of the leather and let it dry for a couple hours before I case my leather.

Works for me.....good luck

That's an interesting process! Doesn't the back of the leather become sticky after removing the film?

[Kani]

I was wondering the same thing about the duct tape. Won't it leave the back of the project sticky?

[gtwister09]

No to the duct tape. It is very sticky as are some of the others. I have had the best results from carton tape (label tape and others have more adhesive than carton and leaves it sticky). Bruce said that he was going to give a lesson on it. I generally overlap tape in two directions and then case my leather. Look for Bruce's post.

Regards,

Ben

[gtwister09]

Kani,

He has already posted the post under "Preventing leather stretch while tooling".

Regards.

Ben

[dbarleather]

David,

Yes, the back of the leather does have a sticky texture to it. However, most people usually line the flesh side of the leather....ie I line my checkbook covers with pigskin.