Earrings

[newleathergirl1800]

Hello,

I am new to working with leather and am trying to figure out the best leather for earrings. I making leather earrings in the shape of feathers and need them to be super light weight. Trying to find what leather to use is overwhelming. I went to a Tandy's store and learned quite a bit but would love your opinion as to what to look for on the internet. I am looking for 1-3oz in thickness. The punches I had made do not do well with any thicker. I am looking for all colors of leather in addition to the brown and black.  Thank you so much for any help.  

[SunLynx]

I think that does depend on how you want the feathers to look.  I would start with pigskin (Tandy's September flyer has a couple of earthtone options for sale) and experiment with those.  Try cutting, burning, dyes, stamps (rubber ones, to make designs over top), water stiffening.  Or you can try veg tanned, but it's generally a much more significant monetary expenditure to experiment with.

Best of luck.

[Northmount]

Take a look at Jim Linnell's website and his video on how to make feathers.  https://elktracksstudio.com/collections/videos/products/3d-feather-workshop. You will learn what leather to use, how to make all sizes down to earring size.  I think you will find it well worth the $30US.  As soon as I get past a bunch of renovation work, I want to sit down and start making feather earrings too.

Tom