3 ring binders

[wildrose]

A customer who saw me at a local fair asked if I could make four 3 ring binders for her by Christmas (gotta love those kinds of customers!). Here are the first two.

As an aside, I always bring something I've made myself to set out at events. What this customer saw is a 10-yr old folio and my several month old Bible cover. In this manner, she was able to see how pieces hold up over time (with proper care) and also what is available by custom order. Also, I usually bring something I'm currently working on.

[joet]

Nice work Holly. I've always have admired your work. And the person gave you plenty of time to get the items done before Christmas.

[Spider]

Nice looking pieces.

[wildrose]

Thanks guys!

I was glad she gave me lots of time, too. I was allotting myself one/week, but am actually moving along faster than that. My point really was gotta love the decisive customers who spend a bunch too

[Timd]

Very nice, Holly. What dye did you use?

[dbusarow]

Very nice, Holly. What dye did you use?

My question too. How do you get that beautiful rich brown?

Dan

[Locknut]

Really nice Holly, I'm working on a journal for my daughter right now. I hope it turns out as nice as yours!

[wildrose]

Okay, the staining process was a bit more convoluted than I expected. I am a loyal Tandy Allentown customer, and they haven't failed to give me good advice, so when I was looking for a substitute for Tandy's Mahogany Antique (no longer made), I went on Jeff's recommendation and tried the new EcoFlo "paste". I have that in quotes because it is totally unlike Fiebing's old antique paste. It goes on much smoother, yet it's not a liquid. And I adore the color, which is just like the old mahogany antique liquid I first fell in love with. It's such a classy color and looks great on folios and business stuff. (Not that I don't like saddle tan, but that's just a different sort of look in my mind)

ANYHOW, after applying the paste with soft cloth/wool scraps, and wiping it down to the desired look, I let it sit overnight. The bottle says to use certain top coats on it, and Aussie Wax (my favorite) was not one of them. So, I bit the bullet and put a damp sponge of Leather Sheen on it. Took off a significant amount of color! Got swirly! Could've cried! But after some moments of panic and some additional swiping, I decided it was really okay. After it dried again, I put another LIGHT coat of the EcoFlo on it, just to even it out a little. After I stitched it, I rubbed some Aussie Wax into the lacing, and voila, all done.

[SouthPaw]

Holly (wildrose)

can you give me a little more info about the Ecoflo that you used, i looking on tandy's webpage and i didnt see a paste in the Ecoflo stuff...there is a gel that has a antique mahogany...what does the bottle say or a part no., i love the rich color that your notebooks have.

Thk you.

[wildrose]

Gel, that's the stuff. BTW, I'm a southpaw too! In fact, I have a "lefty style" folio (pad on the left side) which is what I bring to events with me.