Amazon surprised me and delivered my two new tandy tools early. They were due in on Monday and they arrived today, so I could try the new technique I watched a couple times, a rope border. I wanted to get right out and work on it, but unfortunately, I felt really bad this afternoon and found that the recliner monster had grabbed me and the dog and I slept away the afternoon. Miss Tina worked around the house keeping an eye on us to make sure there wasn't anything wrong other than yesterday's project whuppin' up on me.
When I woke up and looked at the clock it was nearly dinner time and after milking chores were done, Miss T started on that while I took Miss Fiona for her evening ride in the Polaris. She get's Grumpy if she doesn't get it.
(What? No, she's not spoiled.)
After dinner and a movie, Miss Tina went to bed and I headed out to the shop, the new tools were calling. The technique for the rope border uses a triangle shaped lined beveler. Worked out well, but took three tries to get it looking decent. Here is the first look at the raw practice piece. Top left is the first attempt, both left and right side stamps are even rather than staggered. Wrong. Top right is the second attempt, staggered, but not quite right, getting close. The "rope" across the bottom is very close to the correct effect. More practice and we'll get there.
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Next up was a larger practice piece for the Upholstery pattern. I worked harder to get the layout correct, and this time attempted to make the pattern look more worn or "aged." when looking at the picture, I notice I missed four button stamps, I can add those in later, but I was still tired and feeling punky. The spacing and layout is much better and I'm happy with the more realistic look. This is very thin leather, I'm thinking with a thicker leather I could get more "depth."
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Next up we add some light brown dye and it took two coats to get it even. I like the look, but might try natural next time, just add some watco oil for finish and dye and see how it looks. A nice experiment.
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dying is drying so we treat the leather with Mink Oil and rub it in good, really massage the leather. We don't want it to dry out and crack. This gives the leather back a rich luster.
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Once it is all treated and all rubbed in, I'll antique. This highlights all the contrasts in the leather. Stamping, tooling, and stresses. Really brings the leather to life. You can really see that here in the rope practice piece. This has the dying, mink oil, and antique applied.
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I think this is when you really see the work pay off. I set the leather aside to dry. Tomorrow I decide if this sample piece needs more work or gets a topcoat of finish applied. Here is a view of the three supplies used today. Mink Oil, Dye and Antique Paste.
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I'll keep practicing, eventually I'll have to decide what sheath I'll make for the cocobolo Tanto I completed for myself ... and I still have the Single Action Holster project ahead, and now. a checkbook cover for Miss T.
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