Here are a couple of experiments in leather. The first is a card pouch or simple wallet that utilizes a number of scraps that were laying around, and the second is a belt pouch or simple clutch that fastens with a magnetic snap. Both of these projects were fun ways to play with layering leather, but I'm not sure the results are stellar in either example. If I make more of the card pouches I'd want to hide the stitching on the interior, and maybe move away from snake skin as a liner. As for the belt pouch, even I think it's just plain odd. Thoughts?

Tool roll

Just finished another tool roll for one of my clients. Like the previous one, it's for carrying a set of hand bookbinding tools, but this one contains a spokeshave, a sharpening system, scrapers, an ebony folder and one impressive knife. There is a curtain of sorts, which covers the tops of the tools and prevents them from damaging each other in transit.

New wallet for me, new tampon case for someone else

Things have been busy around these parts. In addition to working on the commissions in the queue, I've managed to squeeze in an extra project or two when I can. Here's a zippered wallet that was created for myself:

Lessons learned - leave more of the zipper out along the edges, so the zipper itself doesn't rub on the interior pockets. On the outside is two different depictions of a Hand of Glory:


Also had an opportunity to customize another of the smaller Curse Purses. The request was for rockets and retro-futuristic robots:

Changes are afoot

As of today, 9-8-2010, I will no longer be taking orders for work. My waiting list is getting out of control and it's not helping that I've been squeezing in small orders here and there. It has also come to my attention that some of my construction techniques are not as refined as they could be. Instead of trying to work on as many projects as possible, I am instead going to focus on the commissions in the queue and on cleaning up my work. Thanks for your understanding.

Once the waiting list is at a more reasonable length I'll resume taking commissions. In the meantime there are plenty of paintings available, and as always there is work for sale on my Etsy store.

An unexpected project

Someone that I used to work with at my day job went on to work for a local hotel, and a very nice one at that. A chance encounter in a grocery store parking lot led to a discussion of what I've been doing with my time (leather working), and the conversation ended with "we may have need of your services." Fast forward to last Thursday, when I got an email from her asking if I could assemble 50 key fobs for an event that would occur that Saturday. I figured this was a challenge that couldn't be ignored, so of course my response was "Yes!"

After this rush project, I went on to create a biker wallet with North Western Native American imagery, specifically that of a thunderbird.

This also was a good challenge, as I'd never drawn anything in this style before. It was a good exercise for me, learning how to draw in that particular style and then adopting it to the shape of the wallet.

Up next - redo of a leather cuff that unfortunately was too short, a couple of front pocket/minimal wallets, and a small case for bookbinding tools.

Too busy to post

What a workbench should look like. This led to the two belts below:

More workbench porn:

And the end result is this briefcase for mixology implements. It involved lots of sneaking around and measuring, but I'm very happy with the end result.

Complete!

I think the photos speak for themselves. Onward to the next commission.

This might be the best wallet ever

Another bifold in progress, and this has to be one of the best requests for custom work I've had yet. An owlbear on one side (consult your Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual) and a Gug on the other (consult your Lovecraft.) A particularly warped inscription on the inside rounds out the request, and I'm tempted to keep this one for myself. Photos will be posted once it's complete. Also in the works is the recreation of an existing holster belt. A few inches will be added to the overall length, to account for an expanded waistline:

New goodies

More finished goods. First is a tooled leather case for 3"x5" note cards, with imagery inspired by Ta' moko (Maori facial tattoo) designs. Also pictured is the finished gorgon wallet - a very simple bifold design that can easily be modified to become a chain wallet.

New wallet in progress. Stay tuned for further details.

This cuff is a collaboration between myself (leather) and Jen (http://www.etsy.com/shop/CherryFire), who made the lovely chainmail piece. This is to be a not-so-secret present for a certain someone. This project was a bit challenging, as I've never really worked with chainmail, but ultimately very satisfying to solve the logistical problems this request presented.

Fun and excitement continues with the brass carving, which has been mostly for myself up until this point. However, I've got some ideas for incorporating these little carvings into more practical applications, such as closure hardware for braided leather bracelets and cuffs. The bone was created just for this purpose, and the skull and pug head were for me:




I've also been experimenting with another wallet design. A discussion with a potential Etsy customer made me realize that there may be more interest in tooled leather chain wallets if they weren't all so big and bulky. He was interested in a design that was about halfway between the two main wallets I've been making so far - slim enough to be comfortable, would fit completely in a back pocket but with a snap enclosure and an attachment for a wallet chain. So, I came up with this:



This is of course a rough prototype, but I think with a little refining this will be a great bifold design. Plenty of room for tooling and customization, plus enough room to carry currency and a few cards.