elk & oak

[ClayB]

Here are a couple projects I have been working on the last couple months. Both of these projects ended up being way different than what I had in my mind when I started. The elk picture was supposed to be a 3-D version of a flat picture I carved last spring. Since I really didn't have it all planned out in advance, I just made it up as I went along. I did get some advice from some of my friends that helped make the finished project end up like it did. The second project was supposed to be just some oak leaves attached to a branch, but I just cant seem to keep anything simple these days. After carving the oak leaves and embossing the tree branch, I felt like it needed more. So I added the additional branch with the cut out leaves and blended it into the original carving.

Edited October 12, 2007 by ClayB

[Beaverslayer]

Clay, those are ....how do I say this....BEAUTIFUL...WOW....We are not worthy....what else can I say, you're work is awe inspiring.

Ken

[freak]

i'm without words here and that don't come often. For now you'll just get " Stunning " and " WOW ". It's hard to type when ones jaw just hit the floor. That must be what they call ,"Slap your moma good".

[Kevin King]

........................um........

[LarryB]

very very nice, clay.

[Mike Phelps]

I've been in awe of your work for Clay since I first saw it on the IILG board several years ago. One of these days I'm going to attempt more than one oak leaf or feather in 3D. Hard to fathom the time, patience etal it takes for a project like that.

[Brandon]

Clay,

I used these words before on Peter Main's works;

I AM NOT AN ARTIST BUT I DO KNOW A MASTER PIECE WHEN I SEE ONE!

B.

[vera]

It is difficult to find words for admiration..MASTER

Vera

[yaklady]

You're out doing yourself, Clay! I am impressed! I bet you'll win that yak carving contest.

Kathy

[leatheroo]

mind blowing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Don101]

.....WOW Clay thats just totaly out of this world ...if i could remember how to spell all the big fancy words i would use them right now, Don

[ClayB]

Thank you all for the nice comments. You really are all way to kind, but I appreciate it. It's fun to finally work on some original designs and see them come together.

Clay

[Billy P]

outstandingly nice work, I am in awe of your work. Right now that's all I can say. Billy P

[shirleyz]

You've outdone yourself Clay! Lovely, lovely work. When you're famous, I can say I knew you when....lol

Shirley

[leathernut]

didnt really know what to say.very cool!!!!

[Zilla]

Totaly awesome work

[Patrice]

Simply stuning! It's very beautiful! I've never seen something like this!

[leatherworker]

that is amazing!! wow. how original and eye popping.

[SmilinJim]

Dang Clay!!!!!! You do museum class work. I'm almost embarassed to post on the same board. Notice I said almost. People got a right to see the other end of doing leather. You know, the good, the bad and the ugly. You being way above good. But all kidding aside you really do impressive work. Thanks for sharing.

Jim

[Hoyden]

Wow! That's all I can say.

The second piece is absolutely stunning.

[ClayB]

It's really nice to get such nice comments on these pieces from people who's work I also admire, and from people who's friendship I really value. Thank you all very much.

One of these days I think I will have to do another oak leaf picture similar to the the one I showed here. I'll try and take some pictures to show what I did. It really wasn't all that difficult. Not sure if I could show all the steps in the elk project and make it make sense. There was quite a bit of trial and error in that one.

Thanks again to each of you for your comments, every one of them is appreciated a lot.

Clay

[Luke Hatley]

ASWUM WORK CLAY..... WOULD YOU HAVE AN IDEA AS TO HOW

MANY HOURS ARE IN THE DEER PICTURE ?

[ClayB]

Thank you Luke,

I worked on that picture on and off over a couple months. I am not sure how many hours it took because I kind of figured out each step as I went along. Some things worked the first time, some I had to do over a few times to find something that I liked. I would guess that if I tried to do it again, it would take 25-30 hours, maybe? The things that took the most time was trying to get rid of all the fuzzies on the edges on the tree branches once they were cut out, and also cutting out all the leaf clusters. The leaves were stamped with a Craftool foliage stamp and them cut out with filigree chisels and glued onto the branches. I'd sure be open to any suggestions on how to smooth out edges on little odd shaped pieces like that.

[Dale]

...

The leaves were stamped with a Craftool foliage stamp and them cut out with filigree chisels and glued onto the branches. I'd sure be open to any suggestions on how to smooth out edges on little odd shaped pieces like that.

First, try cutting them with a scalpel at an angle -- gives you a thinner edge. The edge looks more natural for leaves and the scalpel probably gives you fewer fuzzies than a lot of little cuts with the chisels. The fuzzies can typically be burned off. Use a lighter or something with low flame...blow torch is too much!

Dale

[ClayB]

Dale,

I tried a scalpel too like you said. I bought a bunch of scalpel blades off ebay and wonder if they are really that good of quality? I usually strop them before using them and change them a lot, and they just didn't seem all that sharp. I also used matches to try burning off the fuzzies. It worked fairly well on the leaves, and gave them a little color, even though the whole project was not colored. I also tried an idea Kathy gave me of rubbing the edges with Skidmore's leather cream and that laid the fuzzies down pretty good but not like if I could have burnished them somehow. I am wondering if a different kind of thin leather like kangaroo or goat would work better for the things I want to cut out? Thanks for the suggestions.

Clay