Faux Leather Tooling Pyrography On Gourd

[gourd70]

Hi. I haven't actually started working with leather. I work on gourds, and have practicing a technique used on gourds that is based on leather tooling. We burn the designs with a woodburner tool.I have been working on a Sheridan-style design. I've attached a picture. Would like some feedback on how I can improve the design for a more "true" Sheridan-style look. Thanks.

[benlilly1]

I think it looks FANTASTIC! I've carved gourds in the past but I just couldn't stand the dust. I'll leave the gourd work to you. You do a nice job!

[Studio-N]

Stunning work. I've always loved gourds.

[craftsman827]

To make it look more true, you need some decoritive cuts , on the leaves, & flowers.

[benlilly1]

Good point Craftsman827... I missed that!

[gourd70]

Thank you all for your input. I'm hoping to make the next one have a better flow from one circle to the other, and a little less "viney". I will try adding more distinctive lines for the decorative cuts. As soon as I can afford some good leather working tools, I'd like to actually tool leather, then add it to a gourd. I'm getting good practice for making the patterns this way.

[WScott]

That is beautiful!

Keep up the good work and keep showing us the results

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

I see a lot of gourd work here, but this is a new take on it for me. I like that look.

[Undeadzombiehunter]

This is fantastic. Great job.

[Arbo]

How did you get the white highlites around the details? Love the work! I do some pyrography as well.

[gourd70]

White highlights are done with white acrylic paint. Then, I use brown shoe polish for the finish. It protects the gourd, while giving a nice shine, and an aged look. What do you do your pyrography on? I've done a little with wood, and have some veg tanned leather pieces that I plan on trying to work with.

[LNLeather]

W O W ! Fantastic work/pyrography!

I'd like to see a clearer shot of the great design around the top rim

or is that Mexican braid/lace? Do you have a website where you sell these?

Change the design, or not - I love the design as it is.

Awesome, just Awesome!

[raysouth]

Pyrography can be used on many different surfaces. I did gourds for a spell, basswood as so many use, other specialty woods, which by the way, one must use caution with due to the toxicity of the fumes from some woods. I really enjoyed burning on cypress knees and making displays with them. Beautiful medium and shape is always different.

Veg Tan Leather is the greatest. Have done few items on chrome tan and others, but fumes can be a problem with the chemicals used during tanning process.

I enjoy doing folk art on basswood and leather as well as a bit of political satire on wood. Couldn't use leather for that. lol.

I use pens from Colwood, Optima, Detailmaster and more. I love the power supplies I use, Burnmasters from www.woodcarverssupply.com .

With proper tools and learning a few tricks, it is possible to work designs as you would with the swivel knife. Not meant to replace the swivel knife but something I taught myself and enjoy doing it.

I feel that there must be quite a few folks using pyrography on leather. Always something new and interesting to tackle.

God Bless.

Ray

Edited October 5, 2013 by raysouth

[Jimbob]

Super nice work.....And I thought gourds are only to spoon water out of a bucket in these goofy cowboy movies

I used to do pyrography myself....>> when I reached over my glowing hot heat gun,,,,,I still have the star like emblem on my forearm!!! :-) :-)

Nice work, looks almost antique...very detailed!!

Nice to see something different here!!!

Well done..