Bash

Thank you zissou. Are you using Fiebings oil dyes? Sounds exciting with the laser cutting and dies. Keep us up to date. Interested in the process of getting that done!

It's pretty fun mixing custom colors. I always thing the standard Fiebing's colors are too bright, so I like to tone them down with black, cordovan, or chocolate, depending on the base color. Once I figure out a 'recipe', it's easy to duplicate.

I usually finish everything with Obenauf's LP, which buffs to a nice matte after it is absorbed. I slick the inside of belts with gum trag, but I find that doesn't really seal it. I'll give bag kote a try. In my opinion, the inside of belts is really the only thing that needs actual sealing.

In other news, I am seriously considering switching to laser cutting for key chains and card cases. I simply can't keep up with demand, and it would allow me to cut and dye large numbers at a time. The other option is to have a dye made, but then I need to find a suitable press.

My New Year's resolution is to cut production time, since I'm tired of spending every night individually cutting and dyeing each piece. I'm also planning to just offer 2 or 3 different buckles so I can cut a lot of belt blanks at once.

Thanks for the help guys! So no issues with bleeding onto clothes with leather balm? I actually have a bottle thats been sitting at home but have been told a couple times that it's not a "sealer" and can still bleed. Any tips on applying it?

I like fiebings leather balm with atom wax.

If gives a nice natural polishible shine.

I seal even my horween finished leathers with the stuff.

Zissou. This color is so sick! I have limited experience playing with dye. What do you guys use to seal the leather so it doesn't bleed? Not a fan of the shiny plastic look of some sealers.

Those of you who are getting a dark burnished edge- are you doing it manually, or with a Dremel?

I've been mixing up a nice olive color lately...

Decided to stitch a single wrap bracelet today. Working on a double wrap right after this post.

I've been doing a bit more traveling and decided to make a travel wallet that would help ease check in, security, etc. Holds my boarding passes, ID, credit card, and the big pocket holds my iphone.

More practice with my stitching. Here is a cardholder that I made the other day using 5oz english bridle.

Hey guys, here's a belt I made today. Only my second project with stitching. Kind of unhappy with the stitch holes. Large and doesn't look very clean . What do you guys use to punch stitching holes? I'm using the Craftool Diamond Hole Punch 4 Prongs 3/32" bought from Tandy. Suggestions?

Made a quick trip to Tandy today to pick up some leather from the scrap bin for my first attempt at hand stitching. I decided to make a card holder. All in all it was very fun, but there's so much to learn and practice. I used a diamond awl 4 prong tool. I'm not sure I like how the holes turned out, but I'm guessing it's due to my lack of experience. I am open to any tips and techniques that you guys use.

Slim Belt I just finished with Stainless Steel hardware

This might invoke some :confused: faces from you guys, but today I made a Yoga mat harness from some veg tan straps I had. I'm happy with the way it turned out.

Leatherworker.net is a great resource. You can also check Tandy Leather's website. They offer some leather tutorials and videos. That should be good to get you started.

This pouch that I made some time ago was dyed using vinegaroon

This one has a very slight midnight bluish hue to the black when i took the picture, possibly because I didn't brew it long enough

But its pretty pitch black now after more application of my beeswax/neatsfoot oil mix.

The smell actually goes away after a while if done right. Mine now smells more of the beeswax/neatsfoot oil paste! I think soaking the piece in baking soda solution for a while after application of the vinegaroon helps.

@sirkus

I believe you have to sew in a gusset to achieve that look

Yes. The baking soda does help a bit, but the smell still sticks around. The good thing is the older your vinegaroon batch, the less it will smell. Also Remember not to soak your leather in the baking soda too long as leather naturally has an acidic ph. I haven't experienced it myself but they say that prolonged soaking will make a more neutral leather which isn't good. How true it is, I don't know but I heed the advice just in case.

add one to the list, and yes toothy bjs are the worst.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hras5QQe6Gw

idk why i love it so much

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvJOS-PK6sk

hilary hahn, yes

listening to chopin nocturnes, music to my ears

+1 I love Chopin. His nocturnes as you say are music to my ears! I love Debussy as well, especially Arabesque.

Heat game was a clencher. Glad they broke their losing streak to the Lakers.

Made this Double D-Ring belt today. Got the D-rings from an old favorite belt of mine that was falling apart. I Think I will be using this a lot! Glad the belt can live on.

jarritos tamarindo. mmmm

Made this the other day. It's a remake of my old bracelet but with 12 oz english bridle instead of veg tan.

Looks like the keeper is not holding it in place too well

Though it isn't leather... I thought it might be apt. Made these two iPhone 4 Covers for my girlfriend and I.

Evolution pictures, its been quite a few months...!

Are those raw selvedge denim? If not than they are not worthy. JK dude. Those are pretty damn cool. Good job!

Here are some things I made today. Please keep in mind I'm new so it's not the greatest, but I am open to suggestions and constructive criticism. I know the keeper is funky but I'm just playing with different things. Probably going to switch it to a simple leather keeper.

Here's one of the first bracelets I've made after 7-8 months of use.

I have other misc items, but those are all the photos that I have so far.

Common Projects Vintage Low -- http://www.oki-ni.com/invt/cpr0602wht

Really wish they had a Uniqlo where I lived. It would make buying cheap basics such a breeze...

Thank you. Going to have to try and kop a pair of these.

speaking of uniqlo socks, I bought some today. Not too thick or thin, I think these are good for spring/summer.

^^ Tight shoes. What kind are they?

Almost a third of your post count is from bumping this thread... Drop price maybe?

Check out leatherworker.net and tandyleatherfactory.com - these are two very good resources that can help get you started. As for leather, I don't know about LA/OC area but you can purchase leather from https://www.siegelofca.com/ which is located in California as well. So shipping time may not be so bad. They offer free shipping over a certain amount of $ which is very easy to get to as this hobby isn't cheap

this question has probably been asked plenty of times, so sorry.. but what do you guys use to craft your leather? do you guys handsew everything or something?! and what do you guys use to carve everything? and last question, are there any places in the LA/OC area that sells leather bulk?

i kind of want to make some stuff for myself, seeing as i'm a picky person when it comes to leather goods.