Happy little accident

[Dragonfly42]

So I FINALLY finished my first carved and tooled pieces. Here I am with a brand new bottle of super sheen, eco flo mahogany antique and eco flo saddle tan antique (remember I just started leatherworking a whole two weeks ago) I read through all of your guys steps on the site. Put my super sheen on as a resist and went to work. Came home and put the mahogany antique on with a wool pad. Removed excess with a paper towel. Set the piece to the side for a while came back and it looked pink!!!! ~ insert your favorite expletive here ~ so in full blown panic mode I smear the saddle tan on in an attempt to save my very first carved piece! Removed excess let it dry then faded black with an airbrush and finished with resolene. I'm so so excited with the results!!!

[JD62]

Great first project  The colors came out nicely.

[Dragonfly42]

9 minutes ago, JD62 said:

Great first project  The colors came out nicely.

Thank you! I've done a little carving on other pieces but this is the first one I've seen through to completion. The colors were a complete accident! This piece is part of a long term project, building as I learn how to do different things

[JD62]

I wondered about the holes around the outside, now it makes sense.

[RemingtonSteel]

Dragonfly,

Turned out really nice!  

I'd be nervous when using new dyes or finishes for the first time.  I plan on always experimenting with some carved scrap leather to make sure I can get the right color, evenness and overall look, before I applied it to a finished project.

It's great that you were able to save your piece.

[Dragonfly42]

1 hour ago, RemingtonSteel said:

Dragonfly,

Turned out really nice!  

I'd be nervous when using new dyes or finishes for the first time.  I plan on always experimenting with some carved scrap leather to make sure I can get the right color, evenness and overall look, before I applied it to a finished project.

It's great that you were able to save your piece.

Thank you! I will definitely be carving some scraps from now on. I didn't have anything laying around to test it on as I'm just getting started so being the impatient person I am I just went for it. I've since attempted to use the same method on a much larger piece with some success although streaking was an issue!

[RemingtonSteel]

Wow, looks fantastic.  I do see what you mean by the streaking.

Now I am no expert, as a matter of fact far from it, but I have done a lot of research. It is my understanding that water based dyes have that tendency. Many leather workers that I respect, recommend Fiebing's Pro Dye, (which is an alcohol based dye) as it tends to give you more of an even coat.  Kind of a bummer though, for those living in California, as it has to high of VOCs to be allowed in the state. Also the quality of the leather can affect how it accepts different types of dyes. Several experts also recommend that you dip your leather into the dye to help get an even coat.

What are you making there? kind of looks like a leather sword scabbard. 

Regardless, you should be proud of your work for only being at it for two weeks!  Love the owl... great job on the eyes and feathers.

[Dragonfly42]

Just now, RemingtonSteel said:

Wow, looks fantastic.  I do see what you mean by the streaking.

Now I am no expert, as a matter of fact far from it, but I have done a lot of research. It is my understanding that water based dyes have that tendency. Many leather workers that I respect, recommend Fiebing's Pro Dye, (which is an alcohol based dye) as it tends to give you more of an even coat.  Kind of a bummer though, for those living in California, as it has to high of VOCs to be allowed in the state. Also the quality of the leather can affect how it accepts different types of dyes. Several experts also recommend that you dip your leather into the dye to help get an even coat.

What are you making there? kind of looks like a leather sword scabbard. 

Regardless, you should be proud of your work for only being at it for two weeks!  Love the owl... great job on the eyes and feathers.

Thank you for the tip on the dyes! So far everything has been water based but I can get anything I want here in Ohio. This one is going to be a pool cue case inspired by another member on here mr rusty melton. 

[RemingtonSteel]

2 minutes ago, Dragonfly42 said:

This one is going to be a pool cue case

Even better!

[Sofaspud]

If you had been doing leather work for 20 years I would be impressed by your work.  Being a newbie, I am doubly impressed.  Looking good!  Keep posting you progress.

[Dragonfly42]

9 hours ago, Sofaspud said:

If you had been doing leather work for 20 years I would be impressed by your work.  Being a newbie, I am doubly impressed.  Looking good!  Keep posting you progress.

Thank you!!! Just finished this lid for a tool bag for my new toys tonight  

[YinTx]

This is cool.

Are you creating your own designs?

YinTx

[Dragonfly42]

22 minutes ago, YinTx said:

This is cool.

Are you creating your own designs?

YinTx

Yessir. When I don't have any tattoos to do I sit up at the shop and practice drawing them or bring a pattern in and plan them out

Got into the dying process today! I'm super satisfied with the way this one turned out. The saddle tan has a really nice glow to it!

[JD62]

AWSOME, I'm very impressed!! (have you seen the tattoo section on this site?)

Edited September 2, 2017 by JD62

[Mark842]

21 hours ago, Dragonfly42 said:

Yessir. When I don't have any tattoos to do

Ahhh..that explains the obvious artistic skill. You are a natural but it is probably because you already know you are an artist and having the confidence to jump right in and really go for it is half the battle.

Your work is looking great. I've found when using antiques on large areas I put on my gloves and do exactly what most people will say to not do. I pour a lot of antique right on the leather..and I mean a lot of excess. and then get to spreading it around by hand immediately. As long as there is excess antique while your doing this it will not streak. When you get the entire surface covered remove most of the excess with a piece of cotton T shirt or similar. Then smooth out of dye job or high light areas you want to be lighter with a damp sponge.

Bottom line is this works for me but...when I first started working leather I was taught that there was pretty much one way that was right to do any given task with either a leather tool or dye, etc. I think that is a bunch of shit. I've found over the years that there is a bunch of different ways to get excellent results and an artist will find his way and personalize it. When they do, and they perfect it, it will be awesome.

Looking at your work makes me realize I need more employees so I can get out from behind the clicker press and the sewing machines and get back to doing what I love!

[Dragonfly42]

On 9/2/2017 at 2:00 AM, JD62 said:

AWSOME, I'm very impressed!! (have you seen the tattoo section on this site?)

No sir I haven't!

On 9/2/2017 at 9:32 AM, Mark842 said:

Ahhh..that explains the obvious artistic skill. You are a natural but it is probably because you already know you are an artist and having the confidence to jump right in and really go for it is half the battle.

Your work is looking great. I've found when using antiques on large areas I put on my gloves and do exactly what most people will say to not do. I pour a lot of antique right on the leather..and I mean a lot of excess. and then get to spreading it around by hand immediately. As long as there is excess antique while your doing this it will not streak. When you get the entire surface covered remove most of the excess with a piece of cotton T shirt or similar. Then smooth out of dye job or high light areas you want to be lighter with a damp sponge.

Bottom line is this works for me but...when I first started working leather I was taught that there was pretty much one way that was right to do any given task with either a leather tool or dye, etc. I think that is a bunch of shit. I've found over the years that there is a bunch of different ways to get excellent results and an artist will find his way and personalize it. When they do, and they perfect it, it will be awesome.

Looking at your work makes me realize I need more employees so I can get out from behind the clicker press and the sewing machines and get back to doing what I love!

Thank you for the tips!!! You know that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid with this. I've been published and on television and everything else painting motorcycles and tattooing and it was miserable! I don't want to do production, I want to sit back and if it takes me two weeks to carve a belt so be it. No custom orders, no pressure. Just make art the way I want to for once and if someone wants to buy it when I'm done all the better