This is how I know starting leather work with rounds and fobs is better

[VYO]

When I first started learning leather work, about a couple of months in I got the brilliant idea to tool a desk pad. Aside from the fact that I didn't antique it which it really needs, it was a hugely long project not fit for a beginner. Things like finished rounded corners, consistent nice stitching, antiquing and maybe a better design layout would have been obvious if I'd have gotten a little more leather and tooling practice under my belt before I attempted such a large project. The desk pad is about 24 x 18. It was a gift and was graciously accepted, but after more experience the flaws are obvious. I don't regret doing it then but now I do wish I would have waited for more experience before I attempted it.

[YinTx]

Experienced or no, that is a large project to take on, and you should be proud of it.  Many experienced leather workers won't antique, so don't worry about that, you can see the burnish from your tooling just fine.  Stitching is pretty decent, dye is nice, color combo is excellent, etc.  Yes, it would be nice to perfect skills on key fobs, but then hardly inspirational right?  You can always go for version 2... or pick another inspirational project. My first figure carving was a large eagle on a 3 ring binder... I was driven to complete it, and thus I did.  I have some coasters to make... still need to make them... don't know how long it will be before I am driven to complete them...

YinTx 

[bikermutt07]

I totally agree with your thinking, however, that turned out pretty awesome.

[battlemunky]

Yeah, not a bad go at all. I'm glad you decided to do it instead of key fobs but I also get how you see all the things you could've avoided with more experience too. I bet the recipient doesn't care and loves/appreciates it all the same.

[VYO]

Thank you! It was a pretty big project and it did test my resolve but in the end it was one of the projects I did back then that finalized my decision about working with leather. It's an addiction! 

[JLSleather]

Its always good to look for ways to improve.  But that isn't as bad as you seem to think

 

[VYO]

Thank you! @JLSleather

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

I very much like the contrast of colors!  Yes there are imperfections to be seen by a practiced eye, but for this to be an early project, you did very well!! 

[benlilly1]

Still a lovely piece though, my firsts didn't look near that good.

[VYO]

Thanks @Big Sioux Saddlery and @benlilly1 !

[Rbarleatherworks]

I really like the contrast of the color... how did you do the backgrounding? and how did you dye it?

[VYO]

@Rbarleatherworks A very tedious process.

I did the beveling with A98 and A99 throughout the piece and I used a small pear shader for detail.

I used PB011 and PB012 to do the backgrounding. These are very small backgrounders so it felt like it took forever.

I used very small detail brushes to dye the background mahogany, left the rest natural and sealed with RTC.

[Rbarleatherworks]

2 hours ago, VYO said:

@Rbarleatherworks A very tedious process.

I did the beveling with A98 and A99 throughout the piece and I used a small pear shader for detail.

I used PB011 and PB012 to do the backgrounding. These are very small backgrounders so it felt like it took forever.

I used very small detail brushes to dye the background mahogany, left the rest natural and sealed with RTC.

Wow ... Thanks so much for your informative reply... I haven't done much back grounding at all so I am intriged by the process and curious to know how it is done.

Thanks again,

Happy Leather Working

[VYO]

Ah shoot! I see I made an error in the tools. The PB's are bevelers and the A's are backgrounders. Other than that major error all else is the same.

[rodneywt1180b]

That doesn't look like beginner work to me.  I think it's great.

[VYO]

@rodneywt1180b Thank you!