AndyL1 Report post Posted December 17, 2015 (edited) Hey all, Thought I'd share a really easy thing to make if you only have an 8 inch square piece left and have no clue what to make with it: A valet tray! Fun and easy to make if you need a stocking stuffer idea this Christmas. It's just a square piece that I cut slots into at two opposing sides. Added snaps into the corners so it can be flat for travel and packing in a suitcase. The leather here is about 8-9oz. Thinner than that it might not hold shape as well but experiment away. I'd love to see what you guys come up with. Have fun! Andy Edited December 17, 2015 by AndyL1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
veedub3 Report post Posted December 18, 2015 Here is my version. I made this about 3 years ago. It is made from 6/7 oz Hermann oak, Fiebings tan dye, lined with ...I forget - some scrap I had lying around, and as for lighter weight leather, it holds up just fine. Karina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyL1 Report post Posted December 18, 2015 Here is my version. I made this about 3 years ago. It is made from 6/7 oz Hermann oak, Fiebings tan dye, lined with ...I forget - some scrap I had lying around, and as for lighter weight leather, it holds up just fine. valet-tray1.jpg Karina That looks really cool! I like the lining, I may have lined mine but I like the suede-y finish this leather has to it. Good job! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capsterdog Report post Posted December 18, 2015 Great idea thanks for sharing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
veedub3 Report post Posted December 18, 2015 That looks really cool! I like the lining, I may have lined mine but I like the suede-y finish this leather has to it. Good job! Thanks, and yes I agree, the suede-y look on yours is nice! Karina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avian45 Report post Posted December 18, 2015 (edited) I actually just finished one last night. Didn't do any edge work or anything. It's a double piece of horween essex with natural vegtan piece in the center. It's quite large at 15x15" before being snapped together. edit: figured out how to link pictures here instead of imgur. Edited December 18, 2015 by Avian45 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyL1 Report post Posted December 19, 2015 I actually just finished one last night. Didn't do any edge work or anything. It's a double piece of horween essex with natural vegtan piece in the center. It's quite large at 15x15" before being snapped together. edit: figured out how to link pictures here instead of imgur. That looks really nice Avian! I love the stitching, nice contrast. I had thought about putting a piece of veg tan into the bottom as well since I can't stamp the leather I used. Is the veg tan stitched down too then? Thanks for sharing! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avian45 Report post Posted December 19, 2015 Yes the vegtan is stitched down with the same thread as the border of the Essex. I glued the entire thing down then stitched the edge all the way around. Then I just simply made a checker board type grid with a groove tool. Nice and simple. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okiwen Report post Posted December 19, 2015 Interesting, as I just made four as gifts yesterday, but out of heavy canvas and round. Can you unsnap and lay flat for me? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Avian45 Report post Posted December 19, 2015 Who are you asking to lay it flat? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okiwen Report post Posted December 19, 2015 Hmmm, well even laying flat is suspect and optimistic on days if it's a fast mover. I guess I ws asking Andy, but now I'm embarrassed and shy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Darby Report post Posted December 19, 2015 II may have to try some of those designs. Here is my unfinished version. I do the pinch the corners and secure with chicago screws or rivets style . I put the flesh side up so I can carve a design. It is the first time I put them in a celtic themed craft show and they all sold. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyL1 Report post Posted December 21, 2015 Hmmm, well even laying flat is suspect and optimistic on days if it's a fast mover. I guess I ws asking Andy, but now I'm embarrassed and shy. Here you go! Just slots cut out on opposing sides. Fold up and snap. II may have to try some of those designs. Here is my unfinished version. I do the pinch the corners and secure with chicago screws or rivets style . I put the flesh side up so I can carve a design. It is the first time I put them in a celtic themed craft show and they all sold. Nice Peter! I'm going to do some with a tooled veg tan "patch" sewn into the bottom. This way I can customize them a little more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okiwen Report post Posted December 21, 2015 Thank you Andy. I figured that's what it looked like. I just wanted to be sure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
veedub3 Report post Posted February 10, 2016 Took a page from Avian45's book, and put a piece of vegtan in the center instead of lining it. I really like the look this way, and it allowed for a little personalization. This one is going to my Father-n-law. Karina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyL1 Report post Posted February 10, 2016 (edited) Took a page from Avian45's book, and put a piece of vegtan in the center instead of lining it. I really like the look this way, and it allowed for a little personalization. This one is going to my Father-n-law. 20160210_143046-1 (566 x 552).jpg Karina Looks great Karina! I like the all-natural look. I had done the same over Christmas for a few gifts except I dyed them. I do like the veg tan bottom for the extra personalization as well. Awesome gifts! P.S. Disregard the wonky stitching. I pulled it out and restitched before I wrapped it up. Haha! Edited February 10, 2016 by AndyL1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
veedub3 Report post Posted February 10, 2016 Looks great Karina! I like the all-natural look. I had done the same over Christmas for a few gifts except I dyed them. I do like the veg tan bottom for the extra personalization as well. Awesome gifts! tray.jpg P.S. Disregard the wonky stitching. I pulled it out and restitched before I wrapped it up. Haha! Thanks, and I really love the hand stamped letter. That color compliments the tray very nicely. I have several more on the drying rack. They were dyed black, brown, and saddle tan, but they needed to finish drying. The natural one I was able to complete right away. The black one the buyer asked for the his initial to be in light blue with light blue stitching, can't wait to see how that turns out. Karina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sceaden Report post Posted January 13, 2018 Very nice tray, @AndyL1! Do you mind sharing which font you used for the monogram? Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyL1 Report post Posted January 30, 2018 On January 12, 2018 at 6:19 PM, Sceaden said: Very nice tray, @AndyL1! Do you mind sharing which font you used for the monogram? Thanks! Thanks! I don't remember what it was called off hand. I'll see if I can find it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites