Hello! Newbie Member, Complete Novice!

[lightningad]

thank you, really appreciate the comments!

i find it surprisingly easy to do things in leather. The process just seems to make sense. I'm certainly still a beginner, and i have plenty of duff items hidden away!

For me, the trick is to keep the designs simple and clean and do the neatest stitching i can! For example - the "Clone Bag" i did (a pair of them for twins!) there is only twenty pieces of leather in each bag ....which includes all the pockets, flaps, body, and straps....it just looks more complex because its done simply!

and before each project, make sure you learned everything you could from the mistakes of the previous one.

You've certainly found the best forum for advice. Ask anything on here and someone will usually be able to help out.

[Macca]

"only twenty pieces of leather"

[lightningad]

but lots of them are very small and are from the offcuts! I managed to get three full satchels from one 20sq ft of leather, so pretty economical.

[Macca]

its not the cost, its the effort !

more than 3 or 4 pieces on a wallet & I go crazy

had a look at your bags, very impressive !

hand stitched ?

[lightningad]

thank you....yes, all hand stitched. I find it almost therapeutic...suppose its a zen thing!

[Pip]

hey there, are you after making carved masks or molded ones?

I started with a stanley knife a cheap rotary punch for stitch holes

There are some fabulous mask makers on here, just search for masks. its a great hobby and you dont need too much space at all. I made my initial tool purchases selling mystery braid bracelets made from offcuts I made from leather bins from abakhan, keyrings and coaster sets. Take your time to get to know the material and how it behaves, not all of it behaves the same and have fun!

Pip

[Hallyth]

Thanks Pip, I have only really ever seen molded ones, so carved are an unknown item to me so far. Who knows, I may try my habd at both in the future. Meanwhile I just first need to get to grips with what is what, what it does, how it works, and have a first go at something simple! I have my starter kit now...busy work weekend ahead of me sadly, so I won't get chance to play for a while yet....can't wait to have a go though!!