Leather is Better

What's New

2011-10-11T01:02:00.009-04:00

I've been busy, busy, as usual. No complaints, of course - I truly love what I do!
Here are some of my recent additions to my shop. Lots of Stone Love!

Wild Horse Stone

Turquoise Earth Cuff

Coming soon there will be another post as soon as i have confirmation and pictures - I'm anxious to share some exciting news on where my pouches will soon be seen.
Hint; if you had asked me three months ago where I'd expect my pouches to be displayed, I wouldn't have guessed this!

Tiger Tail Jasper

Enough of the teaser - here are some of my newest creations; all can be viewed and purchased in my Etsy shop (link is at the top of the left sidebar.)

Ocean Jasper

We're going to the Emmys!

2011-09-11T22:33:00.000-04:00

Awhile back I was invited to join The Artisan Group. This is a group that gets lovely and unique things into those gift bags that they give to celebrities at awards ceremonies. They've put together a Holiday Gift Guide that's featured on Pinterest - a printed brochure with notes about this list will be distributed at the Emmys Gift Lounge next week.
This is a thrill for me, needless to say. More publicity is, well, more publicity!!
Here's a link to the Gift Guide - it's full of wonderfully creative gift ideas - check it out!
The Artisan Group Holiday Gift Guide

Accent Your Style

2011-06-15T22:21:00.003-04:00

I've been reading a lot of articles lately about the importance of accessories to "brand" your own personal style.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that my own sense of style is rather earthy and casual - I feel odd in a dress and high-heels scare me silly! Still, the articles have me thinking about the extra things we wear and what they say about us.
I have my favorites - mostly stones and leather, as you might guess. I also have a few special pieces, mostly worn on rare and special occasions, that have a bit of sparkle or a dash of flash.
But the reason these articles caught my attention, of course, is that I sell accessories. Bags and pendants, belts and wristbands have been the mainstay of my business for many years. Through those years I have seen some styles change and others have shown such staying power that they can only be called classics.
Leather wristbands (or cuffs, if you prefer) are just such an item. No matter the era, no matter the style - a bit of leather on the wrist has always been a part of the permanent-current way we dress. A quick study of movies through the last several decades will bear this out. From James Dean to Johnny Depp, from Bette Davis to Angelina Jolie - all of these fashion icons have set their style with wrist leather. Wide or narrow, plain or ornate, the wristband is a classic.

So the next time you're thinking of adding a bit of pizazz to your wardrobe, look no further than your wrist - and dress it up in whatever style suits you best!

Handcrafted Goods Wholesale

2011-05-26T23:29:00.022-04:00

Busy, busy Spring this year. Custom and wholesale orders have kept me pounding and painting, slicing and stitching.
I've turned out bunches of wristbands since my last post; in case you were wondering, a medium Flat Rate Priority Mail box from the US Postal Service holds about two hundred of my personalized bracelets. I sent two boxes to this particular customer.
Even at those numbers I don't cut corners - each is hand tooled, hand-dyed and finished. All of them are edge-coated and each hand-set snap is tested individually. It's a matter of some pride to me that I can provide the quality of handcrafted goods at reasonable prices and in wholesale quantities. (For more info on a wholesale order for your group, event or promotion - contact me at aosleather@gmail.com )
I've also seen a bit of a surge in custom requests for particular stones set in leather, both pendants and wristbands. These are a joy to me - working with a customer to make their dream piece or special gift come into being is satisfying in a rare way!
Pouches & bags are on the list for this next week - custom ordered and inventory both.
Busy, busy; fun, fun!

More Stone Love

2011-03-06T15:06:00.014-05:00

I've been pulling myself in too many directions again lately... I find that it's necessary every year or two to re-assess what I do and cull from the list even as I add.
Stones and leather have been giving me a lot of satisfaction, tweaking my creativity in its happy place. Additionally, I find myself in a rare and advantageous position of being almost alone in this particular sub-specialty.
Deciding to run with it, of course, means making sacrifices in other areas. Therefore I am discontinuing my Personalized Bracelets except for wholesale orders. Popular as they are, there are many other very talented people on both Etsy and Artfire that make similar items and I am glad to let them have the business.
I will be concentrating on my new Earth Cuffs and on my very much in-demand Earth Medallions.
I listed 3 new pendants today, in fact. Lovely Denim Lapis Lazuli, handsome Bloodstone and the eternal favorite, Tiger Eye. Until they sell, these can be viewed in greater detail at either my Artfire Studio, linked on the upper-left sidebar.
Note: I didn't anticipate the outcry this decision would cause. Therefore, due to popular demand, my Personalized Bracelets are back in my shop for a limited time, available through the summer at least. Many thanks to all who wrote and told me how much these were loved!

My Newest Creation

2011-02-25T01:18:00.016-05:00

I've introduced something new in my shop this month - I'm calling them Earth Cuffs for now (since they compliment my Earth Medallions) but I'm not sure that name is going to stick. If anyone has a suggestion, I am all ears!

Stones and Leather - I love how they go together! These have a look that seems to me a bit of Steampunk and a bit of good old-fashioned hippie funk. Early response has been very positive!

These are just the first few. You can read more descriptions and see more pictures in my Artfire Studio (linked on top of the left sidebar).
I really like these - expect to see more of them soon!

Revisiting an Old Friend

2010-11-13T21:49:00.016-05:00

I moved this summer, as you may know. It was perhaps my most discombobulating move ever, probably due to the fact I had lived 12 years in my last house, longer than anyplace in my entire adulthood.
That is enough time to accumulate a lot of stuff and more than enough time to lose track of much of it!
So, as you might guess, one very cool part of the process was the opportunity to rediscover a few lost treasures.
There is one such find that I feel compelled to share here...

Berrien Thorn was a friend of mine. A wonderful man - artist, poet, activist and one of the best musicians I have ever known. He had a wonderful collection of folk instruments from throughout the world and could play them all! (My personal favorite was a banjo made of an old tobacco tin - as "folksy" as it gets, I think!)
Berrien had a rich personal history, including a fair stretch of time in his youth working with migrant farm workers. The people and lessons of that experience never left him.
From those years came this wonderful collection of musings, gifted to me some years ago with an admonition to share the words and support the cause. And so, in honor of a man and his vision, I share with you (in his own words, copyrighted in 1988**) ...

I am a newspaper for the illiterate. I bring the whispered word. I sing them their own stories as they were told to me. Set to a tune the word goes round, and when they recognize a camp they nod and grin, elbow the others into the know: "Hey, that's the hole where I got beat up last year!"
The men are worn and beat and want to kick back. They're slugging beers and playing poker for money. The atmosphere is a juke joint in Alabama. The music is a touch of home - easy as a handshake. The women gather at the other end of the cookhouse and sing "About My Jesus". The music is a church; voices rise in their simplicity against the darkness.
The people here are always tired. Some old black man sits in the corner wiping the saliva from his white stubble with a stray hand. Three shirts on him, two ratty jackets and an overcoat, worn out boots sizes too big. Twenty years of cheap wine and potato dust can coat the eyes.
Brutal work stooping to pull potatoes from the earth is the bottom of this odd context. Going upright into the trees for fruit is the top.
The camp is a cluster of tiny shacks made of cinderblock and tin. One of them is the cook-house; this is where I sing. The cookhouse has a large room with picnic tables, an old juke box, bare bulbs burning, and a small wire-meshed window through which the overpriced food they purchase from the crew boss is passed.
These little places are closed societies. When I was a kid the old man I picked with taught me everything, from the basics of negotiating pay, techniques of travel and work, to the songs he would play me on his banjo at night. Boredom was a preserver. Certainly the telling of stories was integral to surviving any evening's isolation without electricity. This is only the life of prisoners, migrants and family farmers. These are definitely on my list of endangered species, as am I.
Some of these people come from Haiti. Crowded into tiny boats they floated toward the mysterious promise of America. They are possessed of pure primitive undertones. The non-Haitians are rural folk from Alabama and Georgia. A few of the men don't want their pictures taken; they are working these fields because this is one of the few jobs left where you don't need a social security number.
When I improvise on my flute for the Haitians they look at each other and nod, saying the Creole words for 'bird spirit'. They know that the voice that was singing through the tube of the flute was not my person, but a spirit voice that sang through and empty self, my ego temporarily suspended, my shell possessed by a lesser god. They recognize that voice; in the form of improvisational music, such as jazz, which is a black idiom, this does not feel so far from the truth of a moment when the musician has reached a trancelike state and 'lets loose.'
They are totally at the mercy of the environment, often miles from the nearest town, in hostile white redneck areas. You would think twice about quitting a job and walking away into this limbo.
God is bread. Red patent leather shoes. A dental trailer that visits the camps is worth its weight in God.

Berrien left this world too soon, having passed just a half-century among us. He left a wonderful legacy of music, friendship and more: his will provided for a foundation that grants Art scholarships to migrant farmworkers. Information about these scholarships can be found at http://www.migrant.net/migrant/sch-thorn.htm
And a lovely bio about Berrien, complete with a picture of him with his guitar and harmonica, can be found here: http://www.migrant.net/migrant/thorn.htm
Please share this scholarship info with anyone you know who may need this assistance - Berrien would want it this way!
**all art in this post and these field notes are the work and legacy of Berrien Fragos Thorn and are reprinted and shared here in his honor and to further his life's work.

Where's Waldo?

2010-08-01T22:08:00.002-04:00

Okay, Waldo isn't actually missing but I have been. I am painfully aware that it's been too long between posts this year - will be in a position to do better soon, I am sure.
Currently I am in the middle of moving. I am leaving my beloved Northern Michigan for a place in the southeast portion of the State. Even so, it's a good move and I am more happy than sad about it. I will be closer to family and the new home is a marked improvement over the one I am leaving.
The area I am moving to is a village surrounded by a lot of rural area, so I will still have the trees, hills and water that are much of what I love about where I've been living.
Soon I will be settled in, boxes unpacked and cupboards filled, new workshop up & running, neighbors and friends met and chatted up. It's an adventure - though it's taken much of my time and attention, I have been thinking of good topics for these pages. Bear with me awhile longer - this blog is only on hiatus, not abandoned ;-)

More Splendid Stones

2010-05-18T23:11:00.002-04:00

I have so much fun choosing stones for my Earth Medallions!
Here are some beauties I've recently finished...

The pink is Rhodochrosite. Gorgeous! This is the first piece of this that I've set, but it won't be the last!
Also called Inca Rose, most of the banded pink specimens of this stone come from Argentina.

The blue stone is Amazonite. I'm rather fond of blue stones, possibly because there are so few of them!
The name is derived from the Amazon River, though it's not thought that this particular mineral is found there. Odd. Most of the jewelry-quality Amazonite is actually found in the United States, most notably Colorado.

This sweet brown stone is Picture Jasper. Formed from petrified mud that dripped into voids in molten lava, every piece presents its own vista.
This one has a wonderful windswept motion obscuring sand dunes and valleys.
All of these and more can be viewed, as always, in my Etsy shop, linked on the upper left. Or you can watch all the items in my shop scroll past in my new scrolling Sidebar Shop, a bit lower down on the left! ;-)

Please, Take it Off!

2010-03-24T01:15:00.024-04:00

A brief discussion of leather care is probably overdue.
This has been brought to my attention lately by several people expressing fondness for their leather wristbands or necklaces with words to the effect that they, "Never take it off!"
They sleep, eat, bathe and live with their favorite accessory 24/7.
Lovely sentiment, bad idea.
Wear it a lot. Wear it most of the time. But please, when you bathe, shower, swim or sauna, take it off!
Most soaps are drying to leather, as is chlorine or salt.
Heat bakes.
Repeated soaking, especially with warm or hot water, will remove many of the tanning chemicals that keep your leather from becoming brittle. This leads to a breakdown of the grain (which can destroy the appearance of a fine leather accessory) and hastens the weakening and death of that favorite item.
With a small amount of proper care, leather goods can and should last for many years.
Methods of care and cleaning are determined by the type of leather.
Smooth-grained vegetable-tanned cowhide is what most people think of when they think of belt leather. This is the type of leather that's used for tooled items; we'll cover that today and save suede and deerhide for another post.
Cleaning: This is not something you'll normally need to do with belts or wristbands - the patina that comes with age is generally considered desirable.
However, should you encounter a mud-bog or other serious dirt issue, or for smooth-grain footwear, a conditioning cleaner such as saddle soap or Lexol PH is strongly recommended. Apply as directed with a soft cloth and tepid water, rinsing thoroughly. A soft brush, such as a toothbrush, can be used for stubborn dirt. You should wash the entire surface - spot cleaning can lead to just that; spots!
Allow the item to dry completely in an airy location away from heat sources or direct sun.
Of course, there are some types of stains that will permanently mar your leather; no amount of cleaning will remove grease or ink, for example. Try to avoid staining your leather with those things!
Conditioning/Protecting: This should be done occasionally, particularly after cleaning or for items that get a lot of wear, such as an everyday belt or favorite wristband. My first rule for this is shoe polish is for shoes!! Do not use it on belts, wristbands, purses or wallets - you will not be pleased with the results! My second rule is leave the back alone! No conditioners or sealants should be applied to the backside of full-grain cowhide - leather needs to breathe!
There are many great leather conditioners on the market.
Some, such as Neatsfoot oil, are for oiled leathers only. If you use it on waxed leather you'll get blotching and clouding. Some, such as paste-type or beeswax finishes, are for waxed leather only. If used on oiled leather, the same nastiness will ensue.
Unsure if your item is oiled or waxed?
Happily, there are products out there that will work with either. Lexol conditioner is an oil-based product that will penetrate wax; Leather Balm is a wax-based product that will emulsify with oil. It should be noted that some conditioners may permanently darken light-colored leather, so it's a good idea to test a small hidden area when using any product for the first time.
Once the product has been selected, apply with a soft cloth according to the instructions. After allowing ample penetration time, wipe off any excess and buff with a soft shoe brush or lint-free cloth.
Do not buy into the myth that you need to place the item near a heat source to open the pores so the conditioner can soak in: I've heard this many times, and it is bunk! Remember, heat is bad for leather!
A good conditioner will offer a fair amount of protection against the elements. If you feel the need for a more waterproof finish, there are many excellent silicone spray treatments available anywhere that sells camping supplies. Check the label carefully to see if it is for full-grain or suede (some work for both) and use accordingly, with lots of ventilation!
If you clean your leather when necessary and condition it occasionally, I promise you can love wearing it most of the time for years to come!

Help Haiti

2010-01-15T21:17:00.019-05:00

There was a very different post here up to this morning.
However; I have been informed that though my intentions were honorable, I cannot publicly state that proceeds from sales will go to a specific organization for a particular cause unless I have expressed permission from said organization.
Who knew?
With apologies to all, I have removed the post. No impropriety was intended.
I will still be donating as outlined in the removed post. Any who purchased from my shop with this post in mind, rest assured that 100% of the pledged proceeds will be sent as previously stated. If you would like additional info, please contact me for specifics at aosleather@gmail.com
Thanks again to all!

A Friend, His Treasures and Something Weird

2009-11-18T01:48:00.015-05:00

On a recent autumn afternoon I took my camera and journeyed out to the backwoods home of a dear friend.
Called Griz by all who know him, he is a man of many talents and wonderful collections. His basement, which is cleverly disguised as a cluttered mess, holds an array of marvels and oddities. This first picture gives a small notion of the initial visual impact of this treasure trove; I call your attention particularly to the unremarkable blue tub in the lower right - it will figure largely in my story as it takes a turn for the weird.

Griz is first and foremost a knapper. He chips magnificent blades and arrowheads out of stones and bits of colored glass. Some he sets into knife handles, many he sells loose to artisans who use them in their own work.
He also makes drums for the Powwow community; everything from small hand-held drums to the large drums used in the center of the circle. All of his drums are made with wood he harvests and skins he tans. There really isn't much that this self-sufficient man cannot do without any assistance from factories or manufacturers.
One of my favorite pictures from that day is this shot of Griz showing off his two-meter wooden feather. He tells a captivating story of watching a lightning bolt strike a tree and splinter it into rubble, leaving behind this incredible work of nature's art. It's one of the few things in his basement that will never be for sale.
So many treasures - too many to show in this post...
He has a penchant for beads and has a fabulous collection of glass chevron beads, both contemporary and antique.
He has a vintage Fender Bass guitar and yes, he can play it!
But in my title I promised you something weird, and here it comes...
When i first began snapping pictures I did not realize that I had my digital camera set to Landscape. Not the right setting for indoor pictures and I shot a few pictures before I realized my mistake and changed to a more appropriate indoor setting.
I didn't think much of it until I got home and downloaded the pictures to my computer.
Remember that blue tub? That perfectly opaque blue tub?
Well, look at this shot... I could not believe what I seemed to be seeing - it seemed I could see through to the contents, though that is surely impossible. Unwilling to believe what my eyes were telling me, I called Griz and asked him what was in that tub. That question confused him and I had to explain why I wanted to know. "A couple of folded blankets," was his answer.
Well holy crap! That certainly seems to be what I am seeing. Griz even made the trip to my house to see for himself and he was as amazed as I was/am.
So, to sum it up in question form, indoor pictures taken on the landscape setting allow the camera to see through heavy opaque plastic? I don't know, but my eyes certainly tell me that, as impossible as it seems, that is somehow exactly what has happened.
Of course, if any of you have a logical explanation, both Griz and I would love to hear it!

Bold Beauty

2009-11-04T00:48:00.014-05:00

I've been working on a new batch of Earth Medallions for a couple of weeks now.
It's a large batch, so it will take another week or so to bring them all to conclusion. It's a lengthy process, with lots of small steps to pass through before the thrill of cutting the window in the leather setting and revealing the beauty of the stone within. For me, it's a bit like Christmas morning every time!
This is a particularly bold batch thus far, with lots of strong colors and patterns. I'll post a few here - clicking on the pictures will take you to their listings in my Etsy shop, where you can see more pictures of each and find detailed descriptions.

Dalmatian Jasper; distinctively spotted and ultra-earthy. This handsome rock is said to be an ancient stone of kings and shaman.

Lizard Stone Jasper; I've set several pieces of this unique green and brown stone from the American southwest and I've loved them all.

Tiger Eye; a favorite gemstone worldwide, looks very much like a cat's eye in this sweet little round pendant. It even winks with the shifting light!
These and many more can be viewed in detail in my Etsy shop, linked at the top of the left sidebar.

Rattlesnake Bonanza

2009-10-30T23:01:00.032-04:00

Let me start this post with an apology to anyone with a snake phobia. I've seen some strong reactions and it's not my intention to disturb anyone. Feel free to leave without reading this post - I won't be offended!
Though I must confess to a certain amount of squeamishness around live snakes, I've always found the skins to be beautiful.
There is a wide range of color and patterning in the snake kingdom.
Among my favorites is the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake of North America, also called a coon-tail rattler for the raccoon-like striping just above the rattle.
This gorgeous creature has incredible camouflage for its environment and a distinctive warning system to alert anyone who may stray too close. Nature designed them exceedingly well.
I've worked with rattlesnake hides in the past - they make handsome hatbands, belts and wristbands - but it's been awhile.
That's primarily been an issue of supply; once upon a time I got hides from my father-in-law when he was alive and living in New Mexico. He got them from a local wrangler who hunted rattlers to milk for venom and then release, or sometimes to kill, skin & eat.
Though commercially tanned rattlesnake hides are available, I have resisted using them because of my aversion to using products from animals that are killed simply for the skin, as I am sure is the case with the bulk-produced hides.
A few weeks ago at a local craft show, however, I met a woman who lives part time in my area and part time in Arizona. Turns out she & her husband are rattlesnake wranglers.

Long story short, I once again have a source for conscientiously harvested Diamondback skins.
I picked out a handful and plan on spending some time soon turning them into cuffs and hatbands with rattles attached. Watch for them in my Etsy shop and on my website soon.
*Picture of my handcrafted wristband courtesy of Devon Akmon. Picture of the live snake taken from public domain site, credited to Michael Smith*

Time on Rugg Pond

2009-09-21T00:29:00.011-04:00

When the weather is too nice to stay inside and work, there are a number of local spots where I can go to soak up some nature.
One of my favorites is a Natural Area called Rugg Pond. Located where the two branches of the Rapid River converge on their way to Torch Lake, it was dammed and harnessed for a power plant in the early 20th century, turning what was once a pond into a small lake.
The plant is long gone, with only a concrete and steel outflow channel remaining, concentrating a rainbow-tinged torrent of water from the lake above to the Rapid River below.
Peaceful despite the remains of the derelict plant, it is home to a wide variety of fish and waterfowl.
There is a family of swans there that I've been watching all summer. The chicks have grown now; I can no longer distinguish them from their parents.
I often see bald eagles skimming the water or flying above, though I have yet to get a picture.
Known locally as a prime fishing hole, it is widely stated (though unproven) that Ernest Hemingway enjoyed a night of angling from the Rugg Pond Dam powerhouse.
Summer didn't really make much of an appearance in northern Michigan this year and is nearly gone. Leaves are beginning their Autumn change. Soon it will be time to think about snow tires and shoveling - knowing that makes an afternoon on Rugg Pond a treasure, indeed!

Custom Regalia Belt

2009-09-10T23:47:00.035-04:00

It's always an honor to be asked to make a piece for a dancer's powwow regalia. These outfits are worn in sacred circles; they represent much of what the dancer brings to that circle.
One of the things I love the most about the internet is the ability to connect with dancers outside of my area.
I recently finished a belt for Barbara Hartzell, who dances in the desert southwest, far from my Great Lakes powwows.
She sent me pictures of her beadwork and asked what I could make that would match or compliment her colors and design. (Her name and her picture are used here with permission.)
The beadwork is lovely, in vibrant colors of turquoise blue and bright pink, all done in cut beads which shimmer like faceted gemstones.
After an exchange of ideas via email we decided on a carved pattern of roses inside hearts.
First the design is drawn on, then cut and pear-shaded for dimension enhancement.
Next the design is beveled; both the roses, petal by petal and the insides of each heart.
Then I matted the heart to recess it from both the rose and the surface of the belt.

The colors were matched to her beadwork; I used a pearlescent pink to compliment the sparkle of the cut beads.

The belt is three inches wide and overlaps in front, where it buckles with attached billets.
Barbara is pleased. I am honored knowing she will be dancing my belt into her circle. It makes me feel that a part of me is also dancing in the desert.
I'm always glad to discuss custom work; please visit my website for further information. (there is a link on the top of the left sidebar)

Words Worth Contemplating

2009-09-01T16:59:00.006-04:00

The following quote was attached to an email I received from a customer.
It is a quote that should be shared.

"I do not see a delegation for the Four Footed. I see no seat for the Eagles. We forget and we consider ourselves superior. But we are after all a mere part of Creation. And we must consider to understand where we are. And we stand somewhere between the mountain and the Ant. Somewhere and only there as part and parcel of the Creation."
Chief Oren Lyons, Oneida
in an address to the Non-Governmental Organizations of the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, 1977

My Best-Selling Wristband Design

2009-08-22T23:00:00.009-04:00

This flowing vine of flowers is now officially my most popular tooled design ever. Considering that I've been tooling leather for two thirds of my life, that's a significant statement.
Since I introduced it on Etsy as a wristband design just six months ago I have sold hundreds of them.
With some pride I emphasize that each one is tooled individually; though the design is consistent, each band has its own distinct flow of vine, its own unique arrangement of flower and leaf.
My daughter says I must have hit upon some zeitgeist in the current fashion sense; I prefer to think of it as having a classic appeal. (Chuckling at myself there)
Brown was the original coloring, followed quickly by a black version and then with color.
Now, of course, the question arises of how long I will continue this design. The merchant in me says keep tooling it as long as it sells; the artist in me wants to set a limit to keep them special.
Leaning toward the artistic concerns, I am tentatively planning on limiting production of this design to one year, which would be the beginning of March.
Until then they will be available in my Etsy shop or by order at my website. Both are linked at the top of the left sidebar.

Deer Hide Pouches / Medicine Bags

2009-08-09T18:28:00.020-04:00

I've been spending the last couple of weeks trying to catch up on my pouch supply, a task that's been put off too long while I've been playing with stones and tooling leather.
Finally, though, I seem to be making some headway. Here are just a few pictures of my latest. The pictures are linked to their listings in my Etsy shop, where you can find additional pictures and details as well as more pouches.
People often ask me if these are medicine bags. The answer is simple. "Maybe."
Whether or not something is a medicine bag has much more to do with how it's used than what it's called. When used for carrying ceremonial herbs or other items of spiritual significance, it is a medicine bag. If it carries common items like money or your cellphone, it's a pouch.
What I can say on the subject is that these deer hide pouches are made in a good way; entirely by hand with individual attention to detail given to each one. If you choose to use them in a spiritual way, I thank you for that trust.
(If you're interested in seeing a bit of my pouch-making processes you can find my previous posts on deer hide pouches in the Post Category list on the left sidebar.)

Setting Snaps Can Make You Cuss

2009-07-31T00:03:00.017-04:00

Snap placement is one of those necessary chores many leather-crafters have come to dread. Bent posts, misaligned caps, squished parts - the list of ways a snap can go wrong is extensive.
I've received a few requests to do a tutorial video on snap-setting, so I did one with my methods for the two most-used snaps in leather-crafting, the heavy-duty Line 24 snaps and the lighter-duty Segma snaps.
At 3 1/2 minutes, the download was too big for the Blogger system, but I've posted it to YouTube. Here's the link -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N6ieWtuMa8
Here is a summary of what it covers:
Part of the difficulty arises from the tools that many of us use.
The mallet-driven setters are economical but often not worth the savings, particularly when setting the Line 24 snaps.
If you set a lot of these snaps, or wish you could, I strongly recommend an investment in a snap-setting tool. There are a few on the market, but my favorite is the Pres-n-Snap.
Insanely, this tool is not available through the normal Leather-Crafting suppliers. You can, however, find it online if you do a search with the name spelled as above or through upholstery-tool outlets. Mine came with the parts for setting snaps and grommets for about $150.00. It works well with the Tandy Line 24 snaps and, in my opinion, was worth every penny.
For the Segma snaps, the drive-tools are adequate. They can be tricky nonetheless. My two main bits of advice are:
1) Focus your attention on the tool rather than the mallet, the project or your hand. Keeping this tool aligned vertically is critical.
2) Do not over-set the snap. Two or three firm strikes of the mallet should be sufficient. Over-setting will ruin the snap.
I hope this information is helpful!

Earth Medallions for July

2009-07-29T21:52:00.010-04:00

I've finally managed to get pictures taken of my newest Earth Medallions and have posted most of them to my Etsy shop with a few on my website as well.
There are some real stunners in this batch following another trip to my favorite local rock & bead store, Nawbin of Traverse City.
I got more of that delicious Lizard Stone Jasper I discovered just recently -- I love this cool green stone! It appeals to the Earth-child in me on a number of levels.
Also, my-oh-my, look what Karl had for me!

At first I thought these were the most distinctive Crazy Lace Agate cabochons I had ever seen, but no. Karl calls this Lapis-Laced Onyx.
White Onyx with occlusions of Lapis Lazuli. Breathtaking, literally - I actually gasped when he showed these to me.
Most of these pictures are linked to the listings on Etsy where you'll find info on size and a few more pictures. (Sorry - the horizontal Lizard Stone pendant is no longer available)
There are also some other new pendants -- too many to fit into this post.
Of course, as always, I need to get back to work! I've said it before; so many stones, so little time!

Lake Michigan

2009-07-27T23:32:00.011-04:00

I spent a beautiful evening on the Leelanau Peninsula shore of Lake Michigan.
The sky was colored like abalone shell and alive with fast-moving clouds and showers, the surf was pounding.
Almost as big as the State of West Virginia, this inland sea is the only one of the five Great Lakes located entirely within the US borders.
North and South Manitou Islands to the left as I look westward, North Fox dotting the horizon on the right. Further away than the eye can see is Wisconsin.
This is the location my daughter and her fiance have chosen for their upcoming wedding; we were there taking measurements and pictures, then walking the beach and doing some rock-hounding. We even found a few small Petoskey Stones!
Here are a few of my favorites from among the dozens of pictures I took.

Pow Wow Clothing Done Right

2009-07-16T00:06:00.016-04:00

If you participate in powwows in the Great Lakes Area or the Ohio Valley, chances are very good that you know Sharon Denson either personally or by her wares.
Countless people dance in outfits that include work from her talented hands. If you dance in the circle and you don't own one of her shirts or skirts, I can say with confidence that you've danced next to someone who does.
Sharon and her husband Bill are very active in the community, having both participated in and headed up powwow committees.
Bill is a constant source of information and assistance to all, and a wonderful foil for his no-nonsense wife!
Their booth draws you in with the vibrant colors of multiple racks of Sharon's top-quality clothing , but often people wind up staying for the conversation and laughter. Few people tell a joke better than Bill and few people take a joke better than Sharon.

These are truly special people; valued friends in my life, but I digress... the clothing is the thing!
Sharon is a professional seamstress with decades of experience and expertise. Her designs are elegant with attention paid to detail and the traditions of the area.
The colors and patterns of her cloth are powwow-perfect and unlike anything I've ever seen in any fabric store.
The only downside to Sharon's clothing has been that you had to see her at a powwow to purchase her wares. Well, that has changed...
I am delighted to announce that Sharon Denson now has an Internet presence. She is selling her wonderful dresses, skirts, blouses and ribbon shirts on Etsy. You can find her shop at www.sharondenson.etsy.com
You can also click on any of these pictures to go to the respective listings in her shop.
I personally recommend her work highly and without reservation!

Home-Made Stamping Tools

2009-07-12T16:24:00.028-04:00

Like anyone whose been plying their craft for multiple decades, I've built up an impressive set of tools.
In the way of most working-class artisans, it was put together one tool at a time. My most lusted-after items in those long-ago early years were the stamping tools that are so critical to what I do. The half-dozen that I started with were enough, but only barely!
It was Dad that suggested that I could make my own with heavy nails and his bench grinder. An afternoon in his workshop more than doubled my stamp supply; better still, they were unique and kind of funky, different from anything commercially available.
The first step, of course, is to remove the point from the tip to fashion a strike-end.
Then work at the edges and the surface of the nail-head to create your desired imprint shape.
I did a couple with the large spikes, but they really chewed up Dad's grinding wheel. So I went to a smaller size, which worked well. I also did one with a cement nail - that one is a favorite because I can reverse it and use the strike-end to make a diamond mark.
With just a few cents worth of nails (and another few dollars to replace the grinding wheel that I pretty much wore away) I created a handful of stamping tools that I still use to this day.
All of these tooling examples were made with at least one of these stamps. The black wristband at the bottom is entirely made of homemade tools.

The message, of course, is that you needn't be limited by convention. I consider this just further proof that the old adage about necessity and invention holds true!

These and many more wristbands are available at my Etsy shop - www.aosleather.etsy.com

The Spaces Between

2009-06-30T21:10:00.020-04:00

The pattern I set last summer of long spaces between posts seems to be holding true this year.
Ruminating on this as I was tooling wristbands yesterday got me thinking about the spaces between, making those strange left-field connections that we humans often make...
In leather work, the spaces between tool impressions contribute as much to the flow of a tooled design as the impressions themselves.
Though the design to the right is made up of squares, circles and arcs, your eye adds a zig-zag to the pattern. But is it really there? It's made of nothing but the spaces between.

This wristband on the left is made with many of the same tools, but looks completely different.
Different spaces.
***
All art requires space to complete designs or patterns.
A philosopher would say that the same holds true for most aspects of life, but I'm not going to go there today, lol.
To fill the space between now and my next post I invite any of you to send me links to your own examples of art enhanced by space. Send links to Flickr or Picassa pages you have rights to and a brief note on the significant space involved. I'll choose a trio of my favorites for a post in mid-July.
The "winners" will receive a nice write-up on these pages.
This should be fun!
July 15th addendum: I'm obviously not the only one who's busy. Since I've received no links, I have nothing to post. Ah well, maybe we'll try again mid-winter?

Powwow Hiatus

2009-06-05T21:29:00.011-04:00

It's Pow Wow season in the Great Lakes area. By now, the first weekend in June, I feel that I should have been to at least two already with another this weekend and nearly every coming weekend until after Labor Day.
But this year I am not going to be on the powwow trail. It is time to step back and reassess some things. I will miss it -- I already do. The powwow community is just that, a community. It is often said (around the campfires at night) that it's like a traveling neighborhood with all of the homes in a different location each week. I will miss my friends and neighbors.
Many things factor into this decision; the price of gas & the economy in Michigan are certainly key.
I'll be concentrating instead on my online venues and supplying the area galleries and shops that feature my work.
I'll still do some craft shows. There are plenty of good ones within driving distance of home and I'll post them on the sidebar as they come up.
The drumbeat exerts a strong pull; I'd like to think that this is a temporary decision and that I'll be back on the trail in years to come. Until then, baamaapii my friends.

So Much to Do!

2009-05-30T01:29:00.006-04:00

Spring is an incredibly busy time for me, as evidenced by my lack of posts for the last few weeks.
To fill in the blanks in my writing, I am sharing some of my favorite Etsy artisans with you.
I love the colors, textures and techniques used in these creations -- clicking on the individual pictures will take you to the detailed listings.
Enjoy!

Story of the Ugly Cake

2009-05-03T12:55:00.008-04:00

Some personal stories are too good to not share... this is the story of the ugly cake. Short and sweet (pardon the pun)...
My daughter and her fiance' recently graduated college. Foregoing the ceremonies, they instead opted for a celebratory dinner with their parents. Nice, huh?
Feeling a cake was in order but lacking the time or cake-decorating skills to make it myself, I called a local grocery store bakery department and ordered one. Chocolate cake, white icing with red lettering -- that was my request. I made sure the young man on the phone had the correct spellings for the names. All was set.
It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive to the dinner's location. The plan was to pick the cake up on my way out of town.
The nice lady at the bakery counter took a long time to come back after I requested the cake. When she finally appeared, boxed cake in hand, she had an odd look on her face.
"Is this what you asked for?" she wanted to know, holding out this very red cake with big blobby brown lettering and strange brown tendrils overlaying the white edging.
Nope. Not really.
I tried to make light of it as she explained that the employee who had taken the order and done the deed was new and obviously untrained. "I'm sure it will taste fine," I said, taking the box with the ugly cake out of her hands. The cake was so red, the lettering was unsightly, but at least the names were spelled right.
She offered to redo it, but I explained I was on my way out of town and didn't have the time. "No problem," I told her, repeating that it would no doubt be delicious.
I walked away, ugly cake in my cart.
Before I got as far as the checkout the nice bakery lady, manager in tow, chased me down. The manager took one look and said that he could not allow me to pay for the ugly cake and that if I insisted on taking it, it was free.
Now, of course, I was feeling just fine about the red cake with the brown lettering. Free is my favorite price!
It wasn't until it was on the table at my daughter's place that we realized that the word "congratulations" was misspelled and lacking an "s". Honestly, I think that made us love it even more! And it was delicious!

Yay! Turquoise!!

2009-04-30T22:39:00.012-04:00

One of the stones I have lusted after for my Earth Medallions is Turquoise in large cabochons. Turquoise is one of the most valuable non-transparent minerals in the jewelry trade. Known to be prized by early Egyptians, it is among the oldest gemstones used by man.
This prohibitively expensive gemstone has eluded me until now.
My most recent trip to Nawbin in Traverse City made me very happy. Karl had some Kingman turquoise waiting for me and I snatched up 3 gorgeous pieces. Here are two of them...

These turned out so nicely! It won't be easy to part with them -- the jewelry fiend that lives in me wants to keep them all!
I just may have to resort to begging, but I will wrangle more out of Karl if at all possible!

Newest Earth Medallions

2009-04-15T23:47:00.012-04:00

There are some new additions to my Earth Medallion inventory. (More will surely be coming soon as I gear up for the summer season!)
I thought it might be nice to post a few of my favorites from my most recent creations, but the choices are not easy. From the ten I just listed, I have decided to show three here... but which three?
Hmmm...
There is this lovely African Turquoise Jasper pendant. The color is so vibrant it fairly bursts from the black leather setting.

And ooohhh -- I can't leave out this amazing bit of Eagle Eye Agate.
Such delicate artistry -- it's like a tiny painting, courtesy of the Earth.
Kona Dolomite is a sentimental favorite of mine, since it comes from my beloved Upper Peninsula. Add to that the wonderful ancient beauty of the stone itself -- definitely a favorite!

This was tough -- I left out seven of my other favorites, including some Leopard Skin Jasper and a couple of new Unakite pieces..
You can see them in my Etsy Listings. More coming soon!

Mystery Braid

2009-04-05T17:25:00.020-04:00

One of the coolest things I learned early in my leather-crafting history was the three-part inside trick braid, known far and wide as the Mystery Braid. The mystery of this braid, and the fun, lies in the fact that it's braided with both ends closed.
People often surmise that there are cleverly hidden slices and splices involved. Not so. As the name implies, there's a trick to it... an inside trick that I've put into a short tutorial video for you. In less than two minutes you can see how it's done -- in no time at all you can master this trick braid yourself! You'll find the video box at the bottom of this post or, if you prefer a larger view-window, you can see it on You Tube by clicking here.
A few points to remember: Braiding will shorten what you're working on, so measuring can be tricky. The amount of shortening depends on how thick your material is, how long the item is and how tightly you braid.
You'll want to experiment with this, but a good beginning rule of thumb for making full-grain leather belts or wristbands is to cut the plaits longer than the area you want braided by about 1/2 inch for every ten inches of braid.
In other words, if you want a twenty-inch section of a belt braided, cut your slices twenty-one inches long. I punch a hole at the end of each slice for tidiness and to help the ends of the braid to lie smooth.
All dyes and finishes should be applied before you braid, including your edge-coating. Vegetable-tanned tooling leather should be wet before braiding -- this won't hurt the leather finishes I normally use; if you are unsure of your products, you'll want to do a test-braid first. I always retreat the finished braid after it dries with a spray silicon for added protection.
With just a bit of practice you'll be weaving mysteries of your own!

Eagle Eye Agates

2009-03-29T12:28:00.012-04:00

I love this stone!
This is Eagle Eye Agate. Every piece has its own personality and characteristics, some quite dramatic, others more elegant or soothing.
Agates, in general, have always fascinated me. The colors and textures present in these bits of chalcedony are varied and often surprising. The Eagle Eye is a perfect example of this!
In many samples you can see the record of millions of years of the Earth's percolation and formation. Some, like this first sample, have markings that truly look like eyes.
Others have little dendritic fern patterns or swirls like cream in coffee.
There are many colors of this stone, many faces to explore...

Some have pictures -- do you see the cat in this stone?

My personal favorites are the mellow ones -- here's one that is evocative of fine Italian marble.
This is a popular stone -- most that I make are sold before I have the chance to list them to my online venues.
No fears -- like I said, I love this stone! I will be making more!

Good-Bye Winter!!

2009-03-19T10:44:00.007-04:00

I'm tired of whining about this year's brutal winter... I'm pretty sure people are tired of hearing me whine about it, lol.
For a few days now it has been very spring-like, with temperatures well above freezing.
Our snow pack, which was four feet deep just a couple of weeks ago, has diminished significantly.
So I will not begrudge Mother Nature her little parting-shot today.
Little spit of snow, little bit colder -- but then the sun came out.

Tomorrow is the Vernal Equinox, the first day of Spring! It's supposed to be warmer, back in the 40's or 50's.
Bye Bye Winter!

I Can't Get There From Here

2009-03-08T15:53:00.004-04:00

It's pretty easy to take the Internet for granted until something goes wrong with it.
For two days now, since Friday evening, I have been unable to get to Etsy.com reliably. I managed to get there a couple of times yesterday, but only for a few moments and then it was gone again. I can surf elsewhere on the web without trouble and I seem to be able to get my email okay, but Etsy won't load.
My Internet service provider has not been very helpful, except to say that it's a widespread server or routing issue within their system and that sometime tomorrow they should be able to tell me how long it will be until it's resolved.
Since Etsy is one of my primary venues, this is beyond frustrating!
I guess this is a good time to remind everyone that I can be also be found on Artfire, which seems to be working okay for me.

Use this link or check out the Artfire Rapid Cart down on the left sidebar. Artfire has added the ability for people to purchase without joining, a wonderful and timely feature!
I will be back to tend to my Etsy shop as soon as possible!

More Fun with Wristbands

2009-03-04T20:34:00.011-05:00

I have been having entirely too much fun making wristbands lately.
Really! There's so much more that needs to be done (like more frequent blogging!), and here I am, tooling and dying and painting to my heart's content!
Ah well, lol. Here are two of my latest listings, just to share the joy.
The big bright flower cuffs have been popular for me, but I dislike making too many of the same thing, so I did one in purple to compliment the reds & blues I've already listed.
I have a special fondness for this peace-sign wristband in brown -- such a throwback to my early days of leathercraft! Yep, the hippie in me is still alive and well.
There will be new projects on my table over the next few days; I have no choice in the matter! Summer will be here before I know it, and that's the busy season where I live. There is much getting-ready to tend to.
Still, more of this kind of fun won't be too far off... I'm afraid I simply cannot help myself!

Making a Four-Part Round Braid

2009-02-18T19:28:00.016-05:00

A four-part round braid is very versatile.
It's used for everything from bolo ties and belts to horse tack and whips. It's my preferred strap for purses and pouches, being both handsome and strong. It's also the thing I'm asked to teach more often than any other crafting skill I have.
So I've made a two-minute video demonstrating the four-part round braid.
Click the play button on the video window below to watch it or, if you prefer a larger view window, watch it on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0afO40tsqAc
Once you learn how to make this braid, play around with mixing colors. You can get some interesting looking braids depending on the number of colors and their placement.
I finish mine off by stitching through the layers of leather with artificial sinew and binding with a double wrap-around. This secures the ends from coming loose and is easy to conceal with a leather wrap.
(This braid can be made with thinner materials by using a rope or cord as a center core and wrapping your four parts around it!)
For anyone interested in learning more about leather braiding or fancy knot tying, I recommend the book Leather Braiding by Bruce Grant. It's extremely easy to learn from, with wonderful illustrations by Larry Spinelli. Available through your Public Library or favorite bookstore.

Australian Bushfire Relief Effort, Etsy-Style

2009-02-12T03:54:00.009-05:00

The horrible tragedy in Australia is ongoing -- no doubt you've seen the stories on the news. The scope of this outbreak of fires is truly mind-boggling. Lives are being lost or forever changed on a massive scale. Though I live far away from Australia, I have been feeling the need to reach out, the need to do something!
Then this evening I stumbled across a new shop on Etsy set up specifically and only to help in this cause.
www.OzBushfireAppeal.etsy.com is accepting donations of items from Etsy vendors and selling them to raise money for the Australian Red Cross. 100% of proceeds are going to this fund, and the response to their appeal has been significant. Many have donated, many are purchasing. What a fabulous idea! I love the way the worldwide web can bring us all together for a cause like this!
Please visit this site soon and often! Buy something if you can -- there are some really cool items on their pages. If you're an Etsy vendor, please check their profile page for details on how you can donate an item for their listings!
We are one world -- let's all reach out and do some good!

Beggar's Tomb Pottery

2009-02-03T22:26:00.015-05:00

I live in a silver mine and I call it Beggar's Tomb. I've got me a violin and I beg you call the tune
from Uncle John's Band by the Grateful Dead

If I weren't a leathercrafter, I believe I would be a potter. Although it doesn't seem so at first glance, they share many common traits. Both involve working with the gifts of the Earth, both are very hands-on (meaning you get it under your fingernails, lol) and involved in both there is more than a bit of bending the medium to your will while respecting its nature.
There are many fine pottery shops on Etsy. One of my favorites is Beggar's Tomb Pottery. I love the rainbow of color that greets you when you open the pages of Carmela Picone's shop and it delights me to know that color is as important to her as it is to my eyes.
Her creations are both functional and whimsical, like this darling birdhouse that looks like a toadstool an elf might reside in!
Anyone who displays wares on the web knows how important photography is and her pictures are outstanding -- the black background really showcases this lovely Seawind Vessel!

In Carmela's words, "I'm a retired health professional who has taken my hobby of pottery and turned it into a new career. I live in rural Virgina in a log home surrounded by woods. Much of my garden art is inspired by nature and my own gardens and also from my own imagination and love for fantasy. My previous career was so serious that I take every opportunity to be whimsical and have fun in my art. It is my hope that my work will bring beauty to everyday objects and a smile to those who either see or use my pieces."
That really comes through when you visit her shop -- I smiled when I first saw this sweet little owl whistle!
Her grandmother introduced her to the wheel, and she honors that memory by marking each piece with a tree, her grandmother's mark. I am sure Grandma would be proud of this lovely artwork!
Carmela is always glad to take custom orders, so keep that in mind!
You can find her shop on Etsy at www.BeggarsTombPottery.etsy.com
Thank you, Carmela, for letting me write about your awesome work!

New Wristbands

2009-01-31T15:34:00.012-05:00

I just finished posting a slew of new wristbands to my online shops. Everything from basic black tooled bands to brightly colored fun cuffs!
Made of heavy belt leather, these bands will last for many years. They'll get wonderfully limber as they break in, becoming the thing you most want to have on your wrist!
I've even thrown in an art cuff with an original design. Prices on these start as low as 12.00!

Visit my Etsy shop for the full assortment -- some are up at Art Fire as well. Both shops are linked on the left.

Adding Color to Leather

2009-01-29T20:13:00.029-05:00

Tooling leather comes naked. No color, no finishes.

It's essential to the process of tooling, as the leather has to be able to absorb water freely and evenly and any dyes or finishes impair that ability.
Dyes and color come after all the tooling is done and there are a variety of products and tools for getting naked leather dressed up. I have my favorites -- the ones I find most faithful after years of trial and error.
For making leather black or brown I prefer a penetrating oil-based dye. It gives superior color and evenness, and the colors do not have a tendency to bleed or rub off.
This dye has very hazardous fumes; it's combustible and toxic, so adequate ventilation is essential to your health and well-being. If you don't have a strong exhaust fan specially rated for such things, then I recommend you dye outside whenever possible.
If your yard is 3 feet deep in snow like mine, then open the windows and employ a fan and a protective mask. Seriously! Use gloves, too -- this dye will penetrate your skin as readily as leather.
I like wool daubers for application on small projects. For larger items I prefer a sponge brush. I advise against an air-brush without a special set-up for exhausting the atomized combustible particles. I do 2 coats of color for complete coverage. It's finished off with an edge-coating, an application of a conditioner and a water-resistant beeswax finish.

Sometimes black or brown won't complete the picture -- sometimes a bit of color is required!

I use ceramic-grade acrylic color. It bonds well to the leather -- better than some of the leather-specific acrylics! The variety of colors available is impressive and it's readily available at most craft stores. My preferred brand is prominently displayed in the photo ;-)
It mixes well, thins with water and applies easily with a brush. It has no toxic fumes, which is nice!

Once it dries completely a protective edge-coat is run around the outer beveled edge.

Then a highlighting product is applied generously, taking care to work it into the impressions.

Once the excess is wiped away, the remaining highlighter mellows the background and makes the detail pop! To finish my colored leather I use a coat of conditioner and then a spray silicon sealant.

Don't you just love color?

Want Winter? We've Got Some!

2009-01-26T18:18:00.015-05:00

It has been a winter for the record books in Michigan. This morning I woke to a temperature of 15 below zero Fahrenheit -- that's negative 26 in Celsius -- very cold, and that's not even the coldest temp we've had this year.
Snow has fallen more days than not, leading to way too many days of raking my roof for my liking!
Frozen pipes, frozen drains, excessive heating costs, dangerous driving -- all have been a part of a beautiful but intense season this year, all are expected when you live up here in the north land.

There are other problems that come with an extra strong winter, though, and those are not so expected. Earlier this month there was a serious issue in many parts of the state with river ice-dams causing flooding. Difficult enough to have your home flood -- almost unimaginable when the flood freezes.
My friend Kevin, who lives in the Grand Rapids area near the Grand River, sent me some pictures yesterday that I just had to share!
The river has receded from its height of 9 feet above normal levels, and he took his truck and his camera down to the Grand to capture these images. Note the chunks of ice still clinging to the trees -- this is where the water line was before the ice jams broke loose and the water flowed away. In the shot with his truck those ice remnants are high enough that if he'd been parked there 2 weeks ago, his truck would have been submerged!
My sympathy to all who were affected, and my thanks to Kevin for sharing his pictures and giving me permission to post them!

New Shop on Art Fire

2009-01-25T19:09:00.007-05:00

Thanks to Twitter, that highly active online social network, I recently learned of a new internet venue. Called Art Fire, it's a new and very exciting site for people like me to bring our goodies to people like you!
I won't be quitting Etsy, which I dearly love -- merely expanding my internet presence. That said, there are some features I love on Art Fire.
The front page is a feature page for all new listings. This is a departure from Etsy, which has taken a Gallery approach to the front page. While attractive as heck, the Etsy way of doing things has the sad effect of dis-including anyone who does not have totally fabulous photos from those high-profile spots.
Another thing I really appreciate is that I can use up to ten photos in my Art Fire listings. Etsy allows five.
Of course, since Etsy has been around for a few years and is more well-known, there are more customers there. But even Etsy was once a baby, like Art Fire is now. I look forward to taking part in its growth!

Click on the picture to see my studio or you can check out the site itself at www.artfire.com
I will post the link and an Art Fire window on my sidebar within the coming week!

"I Have a Dream" - "Yes We Can"

2009-01-18T21:58:00.011-05:00

In 1963 I was but a child. Still, I remember. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was in Detroit, marching down Woodward Avenue with a contingent of Civil Rights advocates and regular citizens.
It was a time of great movement in the world; JFK was President and the merging of politics and the Civil Rights movement was indisputable in America. Dr. King gave a great speech in Detroit in June, and in August on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC that speech was expanded and permanently imprinted in the minds of generations. The words "I Have a Dream" became a rallying cry and an anthem for a nation's drive toward a more perfect Union.
The struggles were horrific. Within months we lost President Kennedy. Within just a few years his brother Bobby and Dr. King were also gone. There were race riots in the streets. My family lived in the suburbs northwest of the Motor City and I recall watching the National Guard and US Army tanks moving down I-75 on their way to quell the riots that tore up large areas of Detroit in 1967; some of that damage is still visible in the hardest-hit parts of the city. Tanks and machine guns, used inside of American borders by American troops against American citizens. Against people of color.
Yes, the struggles were horrific.
While it may be true that the struggles are not yet over and that we are not yet living in that perfect Union, we find ourselves on the eve of such a large victory that I find euphoria difficult to contain.
Here, on the official day set aside to honor Dr. King, we are on the eve of an historic inauguration. Barack Obama is not simply the first African American to be elected President, he is, in the words of General Colin Powell, "a transformative" figure in American politics. With a grace and strength that promises to unite people across many divides, he has awakened in me a spark that had long been buried under the cynicism of one who had watched many of her heroes taken away too soon. He has brought America to a place where we believe that, "Yes, we can!"
Dr. King's dream is at last coming true. Thank God Almighty, true at last!
I found a very moving video/musical tribute -- I recommend it highly! -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3QMscDVjTE

Some Gorgeous Stones!

2009-01-16T23:08:00.008-05:00

Here they are -- the new stones I was crowing about last week. They turned out nicely, I think!
First is a fabulous piece of Flint from Ohio -- I learned a lot when I looked up the info on this stone. Flint is the official Gemstone of Ohio. It was used widely by Native Americans for not just arrowheads and spear points, but also for jewelry and sacred pipes. And color! Oh My!! My previously-held notion that flint is a gray or black rock of little interest was absolutely blown out of the water by this lovely specimen!
Next is a very striking piece of Picture Dolomite from Mexico. I've become very fond of dolomite in a number of varieties. It's an ancient rock, with every specimen a minimum of 2.2 billion years old. The Earth is about 4.5 billion years old, making this fossilized algae half as old as the planet itself! Too cool!

I also did up this pretty bit of African Turquoise jasper -- not turquoise at all, of course, except in color. The black leather setting sets it off perfectly!

The last one is already gone, sold before it was done to my most devoted Earth Medallion customer. It's Botryoidal Chalcedony, a very dramatic rock in black & white with swirls and dips; perfect for the dear lady who will be wearing it!
The ones that made it to Etsy have more info in the listings. These turned out so well that I am fired up to do more. Ah yes, back to work with me!!

Community Spirit, Alive and Well

2009-01-14T12:05:00.004-05:00

There are many people who are much better at this blogging thing than I am -- they post more regularly and have interesting things to show & tell.
Charity of the SubEarthen Cottage blog would be a case in point... she has a charming blog, nicely laid out and well displayed! She has started a lovely practice of featuring fellow Etsy artisans on her blog, and I am very flattered to be her first choice!
You can find her blog here: http://subearthancottage.blogspot.com/ and you can also find her selling some wonderful handmade soaps, jewelry and more on Etsy! www.sophiecls.etsy.com
Thank you Charity, for your awesome community spirit and for choosing my shop to feature!

Going, Going, Almost Gone

2009-01-11T18:37:00.007-05:00

Well, here it is; the end of my belt supply. As I said in a prior post, I've made the decision to discontinue my in-stock belts for the time being so I can concentrate on other aspects of my inventory, namely my Earth Medallions. Though it wasn't an easy decision, I feel pretty solid about it. I am comforted by the fact that there are many other very talented folks on Etsy offering handcrafted belts.

There are still a few left and they've been discounted to move, but by January 15th they'll be gone! Any that remain in stock at that time will be pulled from my listings, so if you want one before they're gone, this is the time to jump!
I will still take belt orders on a custom basis -- just contact me if you need one done to suit you.

A Whole New Year

2009-01-09T01:21:00.023-05:00

Wow! 2009. I'm excited about this new year. There are wonderful things on the horizon and I am full of hope!
I went to Nawbin today (my favorite local bead & rock shop) and picked up some fabulous stones for my Earth Medallions. Look for some beauties next week!
I got some more dolomite -- I love this stone! It's an ancient rock -- one of the oldest on the planet. You can read about it in the descriptions on the Etsy listings.
I got a stunning piece of chalcedony in a dramatic black & white and some multi-colored Flint from Ohio (very pretty) plus a sweet piece of African "Turquoise", which is actually a form of Jasper. I have already started working them, but since the process takes a few days it will be a test of patience before I can show them off! As I've already stated, that's a virtue I have trouble with, lol.

Here are some pictures of my newest additions to the shop to tide us all over until the new batch is ready...

Some Unakite, which is one of my most popular rocks, as well as a new Tiger Eye, also a very favored stone.

There is a gorgeous piece of Aventurine -- so green and lovely -- and a sweet little pendant of Dalmatian Jasper which is very aptly named! There are more, of course -- don't want to give everything away on the blog! You can find them in my Etsy shop!
I am having so much fun making these, and I am so very grateful for the chance to continue playing with leather & stones!!
I hope everyone has a fabulous 2009 -- Happy New Year!

Powwow Circle Revisited

2008-12-31T16:00:00.004-05:00

I'm wrapping up the year with some of my favorite or most popular posts from 2008. This one, first posted in July, looks pretty good to me right now in contrast to the blizzard raging outside.

I spent the Fourth of July weekend in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Known as the Soo by locals, it's a port of entry with Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and home to the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians on both sides of the border. Site of one of the longest-running continuous powwows in North America, this year was the 27th annual.

Powwows are laid out in a circle, like the medicine wheel. In the center is the arbor. This is where the drums gather to sing and beat out the rhythm of Earth's heartbeat for the dancers.

The dancers' circle moves around the drum arbor. Like the medicine wheel, it begins in the east, where the gate for entry and exit is located. Movement within the circle proceeds, like the wheel, from east through south, to the west and then north before winding up back in the east where all begins.

Around the outside of this blessed circle is the area where people gather to watch and the vendors set up their canopies and sell their wares.

Symbolizing the unity of all as children of the same creator, as well as calling to mind the different stages of life as a human, the wheel is a powerful emblem in many traditions.

In the Anishinabek traditions of the Great Lakes the wheel is laid out with yellow to the east, red in the south, black to the west and white in the north. The colors represent the different races in some teachings, and in others they stand for stages of life or states of mind. There are wonderful teachings available on these things, and better venues than my blog; I recommend this website as a place to start: http://www.anishinaabemdaa.com/medicinewheel.htm

Passion for Pouches

2008-12-30T17:20:00.002-05:00

To wrap up the year, I am going to repost some of my favorite or most popular articles from 2008. This post about making pouches was first published in July. Since I'm currently on a pouch-making frenzy, it seems appropriate.

My supply of pouches has been crying for attention, and finally I gave it some. Deer hide pouches, sized for wearing around the neck or carrying, with fringe and cones or fetishes of bone.
My methods are decidedly low-tech. All pieces are scissor-cut by hand from my own patterns, holes are individually punched with drive punches and a mallet, and hand-cut deerhide laces are used to bind it all together. Fringe-pieces are inset, adding to the strength of the pouch bottom.

The stitch I use is a lot less fancy than it looks -- it's a simple whip-stitch, but I whip it in both directions. In truth, I never cared for the whip-stitch as a binding on bags, though it's the way I was taught long ago in my hippy-leather days. It tends to pull everything in one direction, and it leaves gaps where stuff inside the pouch can protrude. Out of this frustration came the idea to reverse the whip-stitch at the end and run it back the other way in the hope that it would pull everything even and close those gaps. It worked so well I've been using it almost exclusively ever since. Looks handsome too, doesn't it?

Fringe is cut with scissors after the pouch is stitched -- less tangling that way.

I use round braids for my straps, feeding them through round holes before binding them and adding a decorative touch of cones or a fetish.

Most of these will wind up as medicine bags; carrying someone's tobacco or personal spiritual items. That's both an honor and a responsibility that I don't take lightly. Every one of my pouches is individually made in a good way.

The fact I have so much fun doing it is a bonus for me!

Stone Pendants in Leather Settings; Earth Medallions

2008-12-30T00:00:00.002-05:00

To wrap up the year, I am going to repost some of my favorite or most popular articles from 2008. This post, first published in October, received several lovely comments.

I really like wearing stones, and leather compliments the feel of the stone nicely. So I've created these. I call them Earth Medallions; an homage to the gifts of our planet. The leather setting frames the treasure inside perfectly without overpowering it, allowing the stone to remain the star.
They've been very popular for me -- perhaps the first "it" item I've ever created. Frankly, I can understand why and I'm not sure I can grab much of the credit. When you start with something as beautiful as a natural bit of rock, it's difficult to go wrong!

There are varieties of agate, bits of fossil, chunks of semi-precious gemstones... the appeal is universal. They have found homes around the necks of men and women throughout the world, thanks to the wonders of the Internet and the associated ease of selling internationally. The furthest-flung order I've filled was from Slovakia, which is real thrill for a small-town crafter!
I'd love to show you all of my favorites, but the problem with that is that they are all my favorite!! Every time I get to the part of the process where I cut the window to reveal the beauty within, I get a thrill of satisfaction that is tough to quantify!
For a look at my current inventory, visit my shop on Etsy at http://www.aosleather.etsy.com/
Check back often, as I am always making more! My only regret? So many rocks, so little time!

Petoskey Stone -- State Stone of Michigan

2008-12-29T20:39:00.003-05:00

To wrap up the year, I am going to repost some of my favorite or most popular articles from 2008. This info on the Petoskey Stone was first posted in March.

During the Devonian period Michigan was very different than it is now. It lay geographically near the equator and was covered by a warm shallow sea, which was home to large coral reefs. Fragments of those reefs live on in the Petoskey Stone, which can be found only in Michigan.

In its natural form it is plain and gray; indistinguishable from limestone rocks. But wet it with water or polish it, and the distinctive segments of coral fossil spring into view!

The word Petoskey is derived from the Odawa word Pah-toh-se-geh, which means "rising sun" or "rays of dawn". It was the name of a renowned chief of the Odawa Nation, and there is some dispute as to whether the stone was named for him or for the actual meaning of the word.

It was officially named the State Stone of Michigan in 1965; the first fossil ever so designated.

I made a trip today to Nawbin in Traverse City (my favorite bead & rock store) and the owner surprised me with a lovely selection of Petoskey Stone cabochons! Of course, they are now destined to be set in leather and turned into Earth Medallions. (Nawbin now has a shop on Etsy -- make sure to look them up!)

Here's a sampling!!

Fringe has Function

2008-12-29T09:53:00.004-05:00

To wrap up the year, I am going to repost some of my favorite or most popular articles from 2008. This one seemed to delight a number of readers when I first posted it in February. Enjoy!

In fashion Fringe comes and goes.
On a jacket or a bag, sometimes adorned with beads, it brings to mind images of hippies or frontier folk and Native Americans. Since people have been wearing leather, leather has been wearing fringe. The reason is more than decorative, it's elemental; fringe wicks water. It will pull moisture away from the wearer and facilitate drying.

In modern times this has become less critical. Most of us, if caught in a downpour, will open an umbrella or dash for shelter. Most of us would go to great lengths to protect our leather from getting wet enough to require wicking.

Personal preference is the determining factor now -- my preference is fringe and lots of it! The fuller and more flowing, the better!

Process Revisited

2008-12-28T22:25:00.009-05:00

To wrap up the year, I am going to repost some of my favorite or most popular articles from 2008. This was my opening post from back in February. Enjoy!

One of the questions I hear most often about carved leather items is, "How long did it take to make that?"

Not an easy question to answer. Every project has its own demands, and each is a creation unto itself. I rarely work a piece from start to finish in one burst; there are waiting periods for drying at different stages along the way, and I usually have several pieces going at the same time. Work on one while another is drying...

First is drawing and cutting.

Next I add texture.

Then it is carved in...

Final steps are painting by hand for brilliant color, then several different steps of finishing products to enhance detail and add protection and background color.
The whole process took many hours, but I think it was worth every minute!
(The sharp-eyes among you will notice that the finished belt with full color is not the same one in the carving examples (different leaves; directional flow is different) -- consider this proof of two things; like i said, more than one project working at a time and even with similar patterns, every handcrafted belt is a unique creation!)

Holiday Traditions

2008-12-24T15:52:00.018-05:00

My family has many Holiday traditions, some new and some that go back through generations.
One of our favorite and longest-standing is the annual yum of Thumbprint Cookies.
I remember helping my mother make them when i was very small, and my children grew up helping me. When my oldest daughter spent the Holiday season in Italy during college, her one request from home was for a tin of these favored treats. My youngest daughter agrees -- it's just not Christmas if there aren't any Thumbprints!
This is an unusual cookie recipe -- It contains equal amounts of ground nuts and flour, giving them a wonderful texture. There isn't much sugar to the recipe, and no eggs or leavening products. Trust me; none of this is a typo!
They bake on low heat and will come out of the oven looking very much like they did when they went in.
But my oh my! Very rich, nutty and flaky; they are sure to become a favorite with anyone who tries them!

So Merry Christmas -- my gift to you is this wonderful family recipe... enjoy!

Thumbprint Cookies

Ingredients:

1 Cup all-purpose flour
Dash of salt
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Cup finely ground walnuts or pecans (I use walnuts)

For filling; chocolate chips, apple jelly

Combine and set aside:
Flour
Salt

Cream together in Large Mixing bowl or food processor:
Butter
Powdered sugar
after these are well blended, add vanilla and stir just long enough to mix it in.

Add dry ingredients, 1/2 at a time, mixing well between halves. Add nuts and continue working the batter until you have a firm ball and a clean bowl.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.

To Bake:
Preheat oven to 300f

Spoon off teaspoon-sized chunks from the batter ball and roll into small balls, about the size of a large marble. Place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2" apart.
Make an indentation with your thumb and fill with chocolate chips or a small bit of apple jelly. (For a festive holiday look, the apple jelly can be dyed red or green with food coloring -- I'm a purist and prefer the natural gold color.)

Bake for 20 minutes.
Cool for several minutes before removing from cookie sheet with a spatula. Cool completely before eating.

How many you get depends on how big you roll them -- I get about 2 1/2 dozen per batch, and I always make several batches! (Multiple batches should be prepared separately and not combined for 1 larger batch.)

This is a cookie that benefits from being made ahead of time, as they are even better after sitting in a tin or covered container overnight!

Change is _________. (Fill In the Blank)

2008-12-12T01:20:00.013-05:00

Change is... Scary? Inevitable? Exhilarating? Yes, all of the above and more.
After many changes through the years of doing what I do, I find myself staring at another.

If you've been following my blog, you know that my stone & leather pendants, called Earth Medallions, have been more popular than I could have anticipated.

So very popular, in fact, that I am now faced with the difficult reality that I may need to abandon most of the rest of what I make just to keep up with the demand. A mixed blessing, to be sure. While it's certainly wonderful to have found such an "it" item, it may necessitate a long period of time not tooling leather belts, not making regalia pieces, not going to powwows.

I have already quit making my deerhide bags for now-- they are very labor intensive and I've always had a hard time getting paid sufficiently for the work and materials involved.

Of course, change need not be permanent, and it's likely that the fervor for my pendants will fade after a time. So though I may change course for awhile, I will also look to the day when I can change back.

For now I am still making wristbands -- they allow me to keep tooling (which I love!) and to use up some of my belt leather while not taking too much time away from my EM's. I also will still fill belt orders and will consider regalia requests on a per-item basis.

Change is inevitable, I've decided, and exhilarating. And a bit scary.

I still have some belts left in stock -- they'll be available until they're gone. I still have guitar straps -- a holiday tradition with me, and I have a nice selection of Earth Medallions including (at posting time) all of the lovelies pictured here.
So Happy Holidays to all. Happy changes as well!!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

2008-12-01T16:38:00.006-05:00

What I woke to this morning...
Color pictures of my black & white world; further words unnecessary!

Getting it Done!

2008-11-23T23:36:00.015-05:00

With the Holidays upon us and a notion in mind to help stuff everyone's stocking, I have been busy in my little workshop! Besides the guitar straps I posted about yesterday, I have been making oodles of belts, piles of wristbands and as many of my Earth Medallions as I can wrap leather around!

Here are some samplings from my recent listings and custom orders -- a story in pictures of the hours of my days!

Just a teaser list, of course... visit me at my Etsy shop to see more!

Happy Holidays!

Guitar Straps

2008-11-22T23:23:00.012-05:00

It's gotten darned cold outside -- snow on the ground and temps in the teens. Powwow season is behind me for the year and it's time to change direction. Still, it can be difficult to leave the dancing, the colors and the patterns behind. My solution? Guitar straps!

Using the same love of color I employ in making belts for powwow regalia, as well as similar motifs and patterns, I turn wide strips of leather into unique guitar straps.

Adjustable and so durable they literally will last a lifetime or longer, these straps are starting to appear in my shop just in time for Christmas gifting!

They're made of full-grain cowhide and are all fully tooled. A musician's style is unique; why shouldn't their accessories be just as individualized?
I have a couple listed at http://www.aosleather.etsy.com/and a few more waiting for pictures to get taken. This is just a sampling...

I'm working feverishly to get more done, and I'm always willing to make one to custom order! Thanks for looking!

What If You Couldn't Go Home?

2008-11-10T16:50:00.004-05:00

Today, November 10th, is designated a Refugee Awareness day by Bloggers Unite. The idea of tens of thousands of bloggers worldwide bringing attention to a worthy cause is one I gladly take part in! There are many worthy causes, but this one is particularly heartrending.
I don't live in a war zone, but my imagination can certainly wrap itself around the horrors that must entail. Fleeing those horrors would be an option of last resort, but for many it is the only choice to preserve life. More than 35 million people throughout the world have had to make this heartbreaking choice.
The agony of leaving one's home behind is often compounded by the lack of contact with loved ones, resulting in fractured and fragmented families.
Those of us who live in security and safety should perhaps spend at least some time in contemplating our good fortune and in considering what we can do to help.
Please check out some of the links posted here and consider if there might be something you can do to help!
Thanks!
http://www.refugees.org/
http://www.womenscommission.org/
http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=action_what_assist_main

Stitching Leather Together

2008-11-03T21:20:00.024-05:00

I have nothing against sewing machines. In fact I own 3, each tweaked for different types of materials. When putting cowhide together, however, I usually prefer the low-tech high-strength methods. Here are two of my favorites.

For the joining of multiple layers of heavy leather, as with this axe sheath, I like my stitching awl. It's a heavy duty little tool!

The waxed thread feeds from a center-mounted spool through a groove in the needle.

It's a push-pull operation; push the needle through a prepunched hole, pull back to create a loop, then pass thread through the loop on the other side of the project and pull the needle out. This creates a strong, tight and durable lock-stitch.

The leverage provided by the hand-held awl is very useful when working with heavy leather.

When I put something together, I intend for it to stay together!

Though there are certainly machines that could handle the thickness, the precision and control of hand-stitching creates a finished result that I consider superior.

For lightweight leather, I prefer the two-needle method. One piece of the same heavy waxed thread i use in the awl with needles at both ends. The needles are passed back and forth through the same holes, making fast work of any job. Pulling each stitch ultra tight is key!

The end result is strong and very stable. It's my stitch of choice for my Earth Medallions, as well as for wallets and small leather bags.

There are many other methods of joining leather, including decorative lacing. We'll cover those in a future post!

Yarn Dyed Naturally

2008-10-25T00:27:00.024-04:00

Updated on December 5th, 2008.
In the beautiful words of her children, "Kathryn Kay Drescher Rowe has completed her work in this life and now begins her next journey."
I will leave this post intact (save for the removal of the link to her shop) in her honor.
To her family, her partner and a legion of fellow friends I offered my shared sorrow at her passing and my shared joy at having her in my life. Baamaapii, neejee.
***************************************

Few things in life are as soothing to the touch as soft yarn or as pleasing to the eye as vivid colors. When you put them together and throw in the appeal of natural derivation, you have a true winner!

I am pleased to introduce you to my friends Kathy and Kathy. (When the three of us are together we comprise a virtual triumvirate of Kathys!! )

Kathy Rowe Drescher and Kathy Kolenda do amazing things with flowers, roots, bark and bugs; they turn these natural sources into the most wonderful colors for yarn! Have you ever seen a nicer purple than the yarn pictured here? Many colors, from the greens and browns you might expect from such earthy beginnings to blues and coral colors that excite the senses and boggle my mind!

Every good story has a beginning, of course, and this story is no different.

Kathy Rowe Drescher has been a weaver and textile artist for decades. Some years back she was faced with an onslaught of health issues. As doctors will do, they attempted to isolate the cause of her illness; prime suspect was the dyes she had been using in her work.
Not one to be daunted by such challenges, she soldiered on. Fighting the good fight against the ailments, she never lost the love of what she did, but she knew she had to change her way of doing things. Through research, trial and error and new friendships, she found her way to a more natural and less toxic way of staying true to her craft.

I admire this tenacity, and I love the result!

These wonderful yarns are being offered online at their shop on Etsy, as well as some delightful cards printed from their original artwork and other whimsies like this fiber angel. They also offer workshops and classes for anyone who can attend in the Grand Rapids area of Michigan.

I will miss my friend.

A Slogan on Your Wrist

2008-10-17T23:48:00.013-04:00

It seems that expressing one's self on a wrist-bound statement is an eternally popular notion. Whether it's a simple name band, the recent WWJD rage, or something more individualized, the notion of wearing one's heart on the sleeve (so to speak) is here to stay!

For years I have been making name bands. As a mom who gave her daughters names they will never find in the mass-produced offerings, I realized a long time ago that there was a need out there for people to have the name and spelling of their choice available.

Recently the demand for other options has grown. To answer the need, I have begun offering these. I call them Word Bands. Want your name? No problem, even if your name is something unusual like Barack! Want to tell people how much you love your furry friends or how much you don't love being told what to do? I can handle that! Do you have a message that is so important you want folks you shake hands with throughout the day to catch a glimpse? Can do!!

The only limitations are your imagination or my sensitivities. These are made of full-grain cowhide to last for years and come in almost any color you can think of. They snap with a secure but not-too-burly snap and can be made in any size. Check out my Etsy shop (linked at the top of the left sidebar) for more info or to purchase! ~I welcome wholesale inquiries on these~

Earth Medallions - Stones Set in Leather

2008-10-09T02:21:00.015-04:00

I really like wearing stones, and leather compliments the feel of the stone nicely. So I've created these. I call them Earth Medallions; an homage to the gifts of our planet. The leather setting frames the treasure inside perfectly without overpowering it, allowing the stone to remain the star.
They've been very popular for me -- perhaps the first "it" item I've ever created. Frankly, I can understand why and I'm not sure I can grab much of the credit. When you start with something as beautiful as a natural bit of rock, it's difficult to go wrong!

There are varieties of agate, bits of fossil, chunks of semi-precious gemstones... the appeal is universal. They have found homes around the necks of men and women throughout the world, thanks to the wonders of the Internet and the associated ease of selling internationally. The furthest-flung order I've filled was from Slovakia, which is real thrill for a small-town crafter!
I'd love to show you all of my favorites, but the problem with that is that they are all my favorite!! Every time I get to the part of the process where I cut the window to reveal the beauty within, I get a thrill of satisfaction that is tough to quantify!
For a look at my current inventory, visit my shop on Etsy at http://www.aosleather.etsy.com/
Check back often, as I am always making more! My only regret? So many rocks, so little time!

My Sister's Sparklies

2008-10-06T01:53:00.014-04:00

Arts and crafts were encouraged and supported in our household growing up. Mom could sew and knit like nobody's business! She had me sewing since age five. Dad was a home workshop carpenter; he built or faced most of the shelves and cabinets in the house. We had a downstairs rec-room full of any type of creative supply a kid could want, from scrap lumber with hammers and nails, through all types of paints, crayons, pens, pencils, pastels and reams and reams of paper to express ourselves on. Beads and looms. Clay by the bucketful -- that plasticene colored type that stayed moist so you could use it over and over until the colors blended into a muddy gray, and scissors and construction paper in a rainbow of hues and more, so much more -- you get the picture. I grew up in a crafty household. Not surprisingly those early inspirations have had staying power in several of my parent's children.

My youngest sister, Patricia Marie, has turned a love of beadwork into a sideline. (That's her on the left, with her son and her grandson.) We called her Tricia when she was little, but she changed it to Patti in her teens and she's currently offering some of her sparklies at http://www.jewelrybypatti.etsy.com/

In prepping for this post, I asked her some questions:

Explain your creative process.

I will look at a stone, crystal or charm and think of all the different things it can become. I then pick the one I think will show off its beauty the most. You never know what I might make with special pieces of stones, crystals, or charms. I use several different kinds of materials and I enjoy trying new techniques.

Okay. Cool. Is this process difficult for you?

No, not really. I have always had an eye for that kind of thing, whether I'm out photographing nature, working in my garden, or making jewelry.

Anything you'd like to say about your materials?

I enjoy taking nothing and creating something beautiful with it. Some of the items I use are recycled. Like crystals from an old chandelier will become a crystal in a sun catcher or the end of a keychain, depending on its size of course.

You have a full-time job, a social life and grandkids. How do you manage to work the jewelry into your busy schedule?

Sometimes it’s hard for me to find the time. I try to do it in the evening while watching TV or listening to my CDs. I also do it during the weekends, when I’m not out shopping for new items to make into jewelry, or gardening. Once I get working on something special I will lose track of time, that is until either my dog or cat remind me it’s time for them to eat.

As you can tell, no doubt, I'm pretty proud of my sister... Christmas is coming, so if you have anyone on your list that likes pretty things that sparkle with creativity, use the link above and check out her wares!

Summer of Powwows

2008-07-31T03:41:00.030-04:00

Well i've certainly been absent from these pages for way too long...

Summer is an incredibly busy time for me; powwows nearly every weekend, furious work hours in between to refresh inventory. Not much time for the fun of blogging. This post, for example, was started in July, added to in August and September, but not posted until now, Oct 4...

All of what I had previously written seems so outdated that most of it has been cleared from this page. Instead I'm going to fill this post with pictures from my powwows and a promise to resume regular posts now that my season has cooled.

This one was fun -- the Black River Powwow and Historical Gathering in Wadhams, MI. The Living Historians (some call them re-enactors) had a wonderful little village set up and they did demonstrations and cooked us an awesome feast meal!!

Then there were the rainy powwows... weather certainly puts the "maybe" in an outdoor event!!

Of course, the sun eventually came out and fun and friends took center stage!

(Gotta throw in a picture of my powwow sisters doing the Buffalo Dance! Great fun!)
I had a great summer; looking forward to an awesome autumn!
:-)

Making Pouches

2008-07-22T01:16:00.016-04:00

My supply of pouches has been crying for attention, and finally I gave it some. Deer hide pouches, sized for wearing around the neck or carrying, with fringe and cones or fetishes of bone.
My methods are decidedly low-tech. All pieces are scissor-cut by hand from my own patterns, holes are individually punched with drive punches and a mallet, and hand-cut deerhide laces are used to bind it all together. Fringe-pieces are inset, adding to the strength of the pouch bottom.

Fringe is cut with scissors after the pouch is stitched -- less tangling that way.

I use round braids for my straps, feeding them through round holes before binding them and adding a decorative touch of cones or a fetish.

The fact I have so much fun doing it is a bonus for me!

Man Made Market Feature

2008-07-16T19:54:00.002-04:00

It seems true, at least at first glance, that handcrafted items are geared primarily toward women. In order to address and remedy this situation, Man Made Market has taken it upon themselves to search out and feature artisans who produce items for men.
I am honored to be featured on their blog currently -- you can take a look at http://manmademarket.com/
Please take time while you're there to scroll down through some of the other featured artisans and crafters -- there are some fabulous items and wonderfully creative minds on those pages!

Thank you Man Made Market for this very cool idea!!

Pow Wow Regalia Belts

2008-07-12T22:52:00.024-04:00

One of my favorite things about powwows is all of the beautiful regalia. The time and energy put into a dancer's outfit is evident everywhere you look.

Some aspects of an outfit are determined by the style of dance, such as streaming fringe on a grass dancer or hand-rolled metal cones on a jingle-dress, and some are more personal choice or statement, such as colors and clan totems.

Most of the dancers in every style wear wide belts with their outfits. There are some beauties out there! Awesome fully-beaded belts and wonderful finger-weave sashes in patterns and hues to boggle the mind!

And, of course, leather belts.
I've been making belts for the Great Lakes powwow trail for about twelve years now, and it's a true honor to see many dancers wear my work into the circle!

About a third of the dance belts I make are custom- order work for people who want specific designs or colors; the rest are made one at a time for my booth. No production on the dance belts! I never lose sight of the fact that regalia is unique to the wearer.

These are pictures of various stages of doing and done on a selection of belts -- such creative fun!

Pow Wow at the Soo

2008-07-07T17:08:00.011-04:00

I spent the Fourth of July weekend in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Known as the Soo by locals, it's a port of entry with Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and home to the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians on both sides of the border. Site of one of the longest-running continuous powwows in North America, this year was the 27th annual.

Powwows are laid out in a circle, like the medicine wheel. In the center is the arbor. This is where the drums gather to sing and beat out the rhythm of Earth's heartbeat for the dancers.

Around the outside of this blessed circle is the area where people gather to watch and the vendors set up their canopies and sell their wares.

Symbolizing the unity of all as children of the same creator, as well as calling to mind the different stages of life as a human, the wheel is a powerful emblem in many traditions.

Posts are few and far between right now -- summer keeps me very busy -- but i will try to do better. Soon.

Etsy dot com

2008-06-25T23:51:00.016-04:00

I mention Etsy frequently in these posts; if you look to the left, you'll see links to and pictures from my Etsy shop. All of these references assume that you know about Etsy; since Etsy doesn't advertise in the mass media, that assumption may not be fair. So let me tell you about this awesome website!
Etsy.com, to quote their Trademarked slogan, is "Your place to buy & sell all things handmade". Unlike the popular auction sites, Etsy is not full of junk. It isn't the place to list when you want to clean out the back room. They've limited allowed items to art, handcrafted goods, supplies for crafting and vintage items at least 20 years old.
Artists and artisans from all over the world present their work in their own "shop" area with their own unique internet address. There are support resources as well as forums for sharing tips and tidbits with other Etsians. There are wonderful galleries, called Treasuries, where Etsy members can feature some of their favorite work by other artists, feeding the co-operative and supportive atmosphere Etsy's creators set out to birth.

Here's a screenshot of a Treasury I'm currently curating; it's dedicated to Dreamers. These temporary treasuries are fun to create and add a facet to the site experience that is difficult to quantify.

If you're an artist, an artisan, a crafter or just someone who loves unique things, you owe it to yourself to take a look. There are multiple ways to look at the offerings, including searches by Category, Color, Location and innovative features like Pounce, where you can peek at what's just sold and other items from the same seller. You can browse all you like without joining. The membership requirements, should you care to buy or list items, are as simple as a user name and an email address.
You can click on any of the Etsy buttons I've sprinkled throughout the post or go to http://www.etsy.com/ to start your handcrafted adventure!

Making Wristbands

2008-06-11T00:50:00.023-04:00

I've been having fun the last few days making wristbands.

Don't get me wrong -- I love making my Earth Medallions and deer hide bags, but carving leather was my first love and remains the part of my craft I enjoy the most. Starting with blank leather and transforming it into a thing of enduring beauty and uniqueness brings me a deep sense of satisfaction. Wristbands are fun because they're small enough to allow me to carve several different designs in the same day.

No sense in laying out the entire process in this post -- that was covered back when I started this blog in February. But here are three of my current batch in various stages from start to finish!

New Tools!

2008-06-04T20:36:00.023-04:00

Like any crafter, I have a working wish-list of tools. It's always a happy day when you can cross something off the list!
My newest additions to my ever-growing workshop are two tools I think are must-haves for any leather crafter.

The first one comes with a reasonable price tag and is widely available at any leather-crafting supply outlet. It's a relatively new style of punch for lightweight leathers. It has a wheel that turns to allow for five hole sizes. It has an easy squeeze and punches a beautiful clean hole. Even the smallest hole is distinct enough to stay open, which is a boon to anyone who sews leather like deerhide with a needle -- if you've been poking your holes with a scratch-awl, you know how hard it can be to find your hole once you get moving on the stitching. This punch removes that problem.

My second new tool is one I have never seen at any leathercraft supply store. Despite over thirty years in the trade, I never saw this tool until my brief period of employment at a canvas & upholstery shop. It's called a Pres-n-Snap and it's without question the best portable tool I have ever used for setting heavy-duty snaps! It comes with the parts needed to set both the male and female snap sides, as well as a setter for grommets. Built like vise-grips, it requires a bit of either strength or table-edge leverage. It sets the snap tightly and puts a good curl on the post. A bit pricey, but it will last for years. I don't know why the big-name leathercraft suppliers don't offer this tool -- it works every bit as well as the bench-setters they sell and it's easily portable, which is a boon for sizing belts at a craftshow! I located it by name through an internet search, and I absolutely love it! No more cussing and throwing away snaps because the inadequate drive-setters messed up another post!

Of course, new tools means more work, right? Gotta go!

Muskegon Veteran's Memorial Pow Wow

2008-05-26T19:59:00.018-04:00

The Memorial Day Weekend has multiple significances for me. It is a time to remember and reflect, a time to honor the fallen warriors who have died in service of their nation, and it is the opening of the outdoor powwow season in Michigan.

Pow wows are Native American gatherings, but they are open to all. If you've never been to one, you should consider going! There is drumming, dancing, laughter and food, crafters and vendors, and always there is an honoring of the people who make our lives possible and those who enrich it. Warriors, women, children and elders, healers and storytellers; all are celebrated in their own fashion.
Doing it all under a clear blue sky makes for a near-perfect event!

It officially begins with Grand Entry, when the veterans carry in the Eagle Staffs and the Flags, followed by dancers in their beautiful regalia.

There are honor dances, which are never photographed, exhibition dances like the Sneak-Up, and intertribal dances where everyone can participate!

Friends gather; some insist you pose for a photo of yourself in your stand. It's only right, you're told, that if you're going to blog about the powwow, you should be included.

Well alright, but turn-about is in my nature, so I'm also including a picture of the friend who insisted on aiming the camera at me. (He'll be annoyed enough to see his photo here, so I'm not going to give out his name.)

We camp, we tell stories or drum around the campfires, we gather as a community and do all of the things that implies.

I had a great time, and next month I get to do it all again! You can check the left sidebar for dates of powwows I'll be attending; I'll update the list as my schedule firms up.

To find a powwow in your area, I recommend the Powwow Calendar at http://www.powwows.com/ for some excellent information on events throughout North America.

Hands On

2008-05-20T20:33:00.018-04:00

In the three and a half decades that I've been crafting leather there have been times when people have questioned whether or not I actually produce my product. Generally this has come in the form of a backwards compliment -- the person raising the issue is impressed enough with what they see that they express incredulity that a little-ole-gal like myself could be solely responsible. I take those skeptics with a grain of salt; they mean well.

Occasionally it's in the form of sexism -- at craft shows I sometimes am faced with the question of whether or not "the guy that does this" takes custom orders... those people are a bit more difficult to be gracious with, I confess, as my feminist hackles can get riled by such queries. But again, I try to be nice, if a bit defensive. There is no "guy", and I usually try to laugh while I say that.

Today I had something entirely unprecedented happen to me. I received an email from the staff of one of my primary venues raising the issue of whether my goods were handmade by me, or if I was reselling products I purchased, which would violate that venue's rules. After picking myself up off the floor I responded quite vigorously. Of course I make my own stuff!!

It's a mistake, to be sure, and I'm confident that I'll get it sorted out. But in the meantime my defensive instincts kicked into hyperdrive and my gut was left churning. I wondered how I could prove my case, if required to, and I thought about all the posts I've blogged with pictures of my workspace and my hands on the leather. I pulled all the pictures and looked at them, and I gave myself a very good laugh in the process!!

I have no pics of my hands on the work -- just my hand. My right hand, to be specific. That's because my left hand is holding the camera.
So Hah!! That's how do-it-yourself this little-ole-gal is!!

Michigan's Petoskey Stone

2008-05-15T18:50:00.010-04:00

In its natural form it is plain and gray; indistinguishable from limestone rocks. But wet it with water or polish it, and the distinctive segments of coral fossil spring into view!

It was officially named the State Stone of Michigan in 1965; the first fossil ever so designated.

Here's a sampling!!

They Tell Me Patience is a Virtue

2008-05-12T00:26:00.013-04:00

Ancient wisdom notwithstanding, patience has never come easily to me. Strange, then, that I should fall in love with a craft that requires so very many waiting periods!

I recently finished a batch of my original stone and leather pendants that I call Earth Medallions. It's an arduous process that is, thankfully, very satisfying in the end.
There are more than twelve different steps involved in making them, and each step has a drying period involved!

Most of the steps I won't be showing you -- it took me awhile to develop this process and I'm not ready to reveal all of the secrets just yet. By the time they get to the tacked stage, they've gone through five do & wait procedures.

After tacking they have to wait for 12 - 15 hours to dry completely. Then I apply my special formula that protects the leather and helps it hold its shape , wait for that to dry, then there are another several do's followed by another several waits. It takes days to get to the point where they are formed, edged and revealed.

This is the most agonizing of the waits. I can see how nice they look, but the edge sealant has to dry for another several hours before finally! they can be attached to their floating bales and strung. At last they are done and ready to find their homes!

I've had a very good response to these -- the ones I'm showing you finished here have already sold. To see the rest of this batch you are welcome to visit my shop at Etsy.com -- the link is on the left at the top!

I'd like to also mention my favorite bead store, Nawbin in Traverse City, Michigan -- they were the source for many of these special stones!

Living in Paradise is a Vexing Thing

2008-05-01T00:36:00.017-04:00

In the northern parts of Michigan spring is an awesome time of year. Winter can be long and tough (you can reference my February posts for a snow picture of my backyard); it's easy to mentally and physically gravitate toward a hibernation mode. When Spring at last convincingly arrives, two conflicting things happen in my world;

The impending demands of the summer tourist season require long hours in the workshop.

The world outside wakes up, I shake off the low-light blues and want to go out and play!!

Work wins. Usually. But look at the temptation I have to resist!

Deerhide Bags, With Love

2008-04-19T03:00:00.017-04:00

Ounce for ounce, few commonly used leathers can match the tensile properties of deerhide. It's supple, yet surprisingly strong. Used for garments and bags; a well-made deerhide item will last for years and gain character as it ages.

I begin by laying out my own original patterns, taking the direction of the grain into consideration for each individual piece. I use a white upholstery pencil to mark them out -- it rubs off easily after I've cut the pieces. I use simple hand tools -- I cut the gusset with my trusty metal straightedge and a rotary cutter; all other pieces and laces are scissor-cut with a sharp pair of leather shears.

Every hole is punched with a drive-punch and mallet -- when you punch as many holes as I do, a squeeze-punch is not your friend!
Every step is done by hand -- each seam is stitched twice, once in each direction. This gives a good-looking v-stitch that is strong and stable. I use round-braid straps on most of my bags for the same reasons -- looks good, very strong.

A lot of love goes into each bag, and they are all unique creations. It gives me great satisfaction to create something that is both durable and attractive.

Fringe benefits of what I do... sorry for the pun ;-)

Here are a few, all done and looking great!

They are soft and sumptuous and feel every bit as good as they look! Deerhide is surprisingly easy to clean -- it's a very friendly and reliable leather! These can be viewed in my Etsy shop, linked at the top on the left.

Sitting On It

2008-04-10T21:31:00.012-04:00

Springtime is a busy time for me, but every once in awhile I need to take time off the commerce angle of the craft and do something just for the fun of it.

A friend of mine picked up this awesome antique rocking chair; it needed some good furniture oil, but otherwise was in great shape except for the old brittle leather seat.

Though she liked the design on the old one, she wanted something different.

Like several of my good friends, she has an affinity for turtles.

This design comes from a painting another friend of mine did for me years ago. The artist's name is David Dutcher, and I wouldn't want to fail to give him credit! Looks pretty good carved into leather, doesn't it?

After dying it dark brown to match the chair, I gave it to my friend to install. She used new brass tacks that matched the old ones in size and shape.

Friendship, springtime, renewal; sometimes things just come together right...
The final result looks good enough to sit on, doesn't it? (I did, and it's plenty comfy!)

Ah well, I can't sit around all day! Back to work...

April Already??

2008-04-03T12:29:00.005-04:00

Time is scuttling past and Spring is on the horizon. My snow is melting fast and the crocuses are actually blooming!

Northern Michigan has had a rigorous winter this year -- lots of snow, bitter temperatures -- these small flowers greet me like a promise!

Spring fever is upon me. I'm spending today in my yard!

I sure hope it's nice where you are.

Tooled Belts

2008-03-28T23:49:00.021-04:00

I've spent the last few days working on Tooled belts.

The tooled impressions are much deeper and cleaner if you have an unyielding surface under the leather -- I have this piece of granite that I call Big Block. It works exceptionally well for what I do, but you wouldn't want to drop it on your toes!

Water is used to moisturize, or case, the leather so it will take an impression. Then I choose stamps from the racks you see behind Big Block and start pounding with my 12oz rawhide mallet.

The stamps can be arranged into an almost infinite variety of patterns. Geometric and floral designs are a mainstay in my inventory.

Lots of pounding -- most of my tooled belts are impacted hundreds of times before they're done. I like the flow of a complex design!
Some are a bit more understated, like this flower chain I'm building.

When I'm working on a pattern I can see (in my mind's eye) what it will look like once it's dyed and that often affects the progression of the design.

Two more steps add to the "finished" look of the belt before I let it dry -- a beveling tool is used to take the corner off the edge and then the entire edge is compressed by rubbing it briskly with a hard plastic disk called a slicker.

Last but not least, of course, is color! I use a top-quality professional Oil Dye for the black and brown, usually 2 coats. For the bright color I get great results using ceramic-grade acrylic paint. Some highlighter to enhance the designs, my own secret 3-layer finish and a quick buff with my trusty shoe brush, then holes, snaps and buckles and I now have a pile of belts!

No doubt about it -- there's something very satisfying in any creative endeavor!

Before the Belts...

2008-03-22T22:06:00.016-04:00

Even after all these years, I love when my leather shipments arrive.
The smell of fresh leather is overpowering to some; to me it's the aroma of possibilities.
I order my belt leather by the side, which is basically half of a hide. There are other cuts available, but for ease of handling and direction of grain, sides are my preference. Rolled out, this one measures over 7 feet in length, obviously more than I'll need for belts. The first thing I do is determine how much excess length there is and cut it away -- the end piece will go into other projects.

Then I line up and cut a straight edge with simple tools -- a metal straight-edge and a sharp utility knife.

The next tool is a basic manual strap cutter. Today I'm cutting wide belts, so i have it set to 1 1/2" for some of the straps, 1 3/4 for others. A quick pull down my straight edge and a belt strap falls away. Then another and another until there's a pile of straps and no side!

I cut them to length, trim the tips and I'm ready to go!

There are few things more exciting to me than a pile of ready straps waiting to become belts; the equivelent of an artist's blank canvas, I'm sure!

I'll take pictures of some as I go, so be sure to check back in a few days to see what becomes of this former side of cowhide.

Hope your day is as fulfilling as I know mine is going to be!

Across the Mighty Mac

2008-03-19T16:56:00.011-04:00

I love travelling north in Michigan. So much forest and water, so many hills... always a pretty journey. Crossing the Mackinaw Bridge into the Upper Peninsula feels like a homecoming of sorts -- it's my favorite part of the State!

Several hours of driving over more hills and through more forest brought me to Marquette and the Powwow. The drums and the dance never get old! Lots of folks from the UP, Wisconsin and Canada made the journey as well.

I should have used the "sport" setting on my camera... those dancers really move!

A friend of mine kept me company for the weekend and we sure did have fun! She's a hoot, and even her broken ankle didn't keep her from dancing in the Veteran's Honor Dances.

I have a special love of the small dancers -- check out this little guy in his too-cool blue flame regalia! Yup, I had fun!

Powwow in Owosso

2008-03-11T12:33:00.008-04:00

I went to a Powwow in Owosso, Mi. this last weekend and had a wonderful time! It's so good to shake off the winter blues, and seeing all the dancers in their beautiful regalia keeping rhythm with the drum was exactly what I needed!

Of course, one of the best things about going to powwow is catching up with all of my friends. Theresa, a young dancer i met at this powwow last year, was there. She's taller than last year, lol, and was wearing a lovely new outfit that had recently been gifted to her. This charming young lady is definitely a dancer to keep an eye on!

For now I must get back to work! I have another powwow to attend this coming weekend in Marquette... next week I'll have pictures from that event; make sure to check back!

Polehenge

2008-03-06T20:06:00.015-05:00

In the heart of Michigan, alone in a field, stand the mysterious remains of an ancient structure known to many as Polehenge. Though its origins and purpose are lost to time, one can easily imagine this rectangular arrangement of trimmed timbers as the focal point in important ceremonies , perhaps even sacrificial rituals...

Okay... lol... tongue out of cheek. I've driven past this once-started, never-finished structure hundreds of times over the years while driving along Hwy 127, and I've always laughingly referred to it as Polehenge. I was surprised and very amused to find out recently that I'm not the only one who calls it that. In fact, mention "polehenge" to almost anyone who regularly drives that stretch and chances are good they'll know exactly what you're talking about!

Legend of the Apache Tear Drop

2008-03-03T22:27:00.012-05:00

I'm going to digress from leather today and tell you the haunting legend of the Apache Tear Drop.

It involves a party of Apache Warriors who fought bravely against an enemy that outnumbered them and had greater weapons. Driven to the top of a mesa bluff and with many of their number already killed, the remaining warriors knew they faced utter defeat and capture. Refusing to surrender their fate to the enemy, the warriors threw themselves off the cliff to the rocks below. Their women shed many tears for many moons until the Great Spirit took pity on them and bade the volcanoes to release tears that would last through time.

These stones are those tears. When held in the palm of your hand, the stone appears to be black. When held to the light, they reveal the translucent tear of the Apache Women.

The Apache Tear Drop is a specific form of black obsidian, a type of volcanic glass. Formed by rhythmic crystallization that produces a separation of light and dark materials into spherical shapes, it is found in Arizona and other parts of the US.

They are said to bring the bearer good luck and remove their tears. Carried in a pouch or pocket, it is believed that they can balance one's emotional nature and enhance psychic powers, offering protection against being taken advantage of by helping illuminate that which is hidden from the conscious mind.

The Function of Fringe

2008-02-29T17:49:00.008-05:00

In fashion Fringe comes and goes.
On a jacket or a bag, sometimes adorned with beads, it brings to mind images of hippies or frontier folk and Native Americans. Since people have been wearing leather, leather has been wearing fringe. The reason is more than decorative, it's elemental; fringe wicks water. It will pull moisture away from the wearer and facilitate drying.

In modern times this has become less critical. Most of us, if caught in a downpour, will open an umbrella or dash for shelter. Most of us would go to great lengths to protect our leather from getting wet enough to require wicking.

Personal preference is the determining factor now -- my preference is fringe and lots of it! The fuller and more flowing, the better!

Deciphering Leather Terms

2008-02-27T14:24:00.002-05:00

With so many different terms floating around in the leather business, it's easy to understand why many of my customers get confused. Full-grain, top-grain, bonded and split -- which is best for which applications? Let's remove some of the mystery.

Leather is measured in ounces per square foot; the higher the oz, the thicker the leather.

"Grain" refers to the layers of the hide.

Full-Grain (pictured here) is the entire thickness of the hide and is the best choice for belts if durability is important to you. A good full-grain cowhide belt of 8 oz or more will last years beyond anything else. Wallets made of 4-5 oz full-grain leather will give similarly long wear, but will require a bit of a break-in period before they lose their stiffness.

Top-Grain is the top layer of the hide, shaved off with machines called splitters. It works well for wallets and small items, but will not last as long as the full-grain. (no picture, as I rarely use top-grain leather)

Split Leather (pictured below) is what is left after the top-grain has been removed. It has a suede surface on both sides and is often used to make moccasins and chaps.

Here comes the part where I don't mince words; Bonded Leather. Sounds good, doesn't it? Like it's certified or guaranteed. Such impressions are deceiving. Bonded, in this case, refers to the bonding properties of glue. Bonded leather is not "grain" leather, rather it is bits and pieces of leather ground up, then mixed with a bonding material and molded into a flattened product -- sort of the leather equivalent of particle-board. In my opinion Bonded Leather is a sub-standard product and should be avoided. It will not stand up to wear. I have no samples to show. Products made with this mock-hide are usually clearly marked.

There are other terms -- Vegetable tanned, chrome tanned, latigo and so on -- we'll cover those in another post. I'll close today with a picture of a hand-painted traditional Ojibwe pattern custom-carved belt made of 10 oz Full-Grain Vegetable-Tanned Cowhide. Happy Day!

Too Much Snow

2008-02-26T02:12:00.002-05:00

A picture being worth a thousand words, I thought I'd share the veiw out my back window this morning.

This is a color picture, not black & white...

I'm so ready for spring.

Process Leads to Product

2008-02-26T01:59:00.004-05:00

One of the questions I hear most often is, "How long did it take to make that?"

Not an easy question to answer. Every project has its own demands, and each is a creation unto itself. I rarely work a piece from start to finish in one burst; there are waiting periods for drying at different stages along the way, and I usually have several pieces going at the same time. Work on one while another is drying... First is drawing and cutting.

Next I add texture.

Then it is carved in...

Final steps are painting by hand for brilliant color, then several different steps of finishing products to enhance detail and add protection and background color.
The whole process took many hours, but I think it was worth every minute!