How Do I Make A Dragon Head Purse?

[stanly]

Just a Head

How do I make a dragon head purse?

I want to make a small purse that's dragon head shaped. I've got some samples that give a general idea. One is more art than usable purse, 2^nd is a alligator plushie that I found discarded. I want to mold it like the art purse, but shaped more like the plushie with a more triangular head.

Thinking – nail/clamp a piece of leather to a flat "more triangular" shaped wood base, then push up the features.

Seems like this has to be a turn out in order not to show stitches?

If I'm going to mold this 1" up from my base do I start with a piece of leather that's something like 1 3/4" oversize?

Is there some kind of conditioning to make leather much easier to stretch?

Is there a sub-forum for masks that would be more appropriate place to ask these ques?

Thanks for any help

Edited October 24, 2014 by stanly