Sporran #11 - Commission, Skunk: WIP

**artificer** · 23rd August 10, 08:13 PM

Hi All,
A fellow X-Marker and I have been busy little bees.
Whilst I've been making #5 Hunting Sporrans for the last few months, ShaunMaxwell and I have been collaborating on a design together.

It started many months ago with talk of a full mask skunk. Later, to both his and my dismay, we discovered that our respective wives HATE them. This talk eventually evolved into design plans which I'm proud to now reveal to all.

The cantle is hammered leather (the one pictured is only a trial to test for size with all the stitching, tooling, etc in place. A few small changes and better fit and finish well accompany the final version) which will be braided along the top edges. It will be a functioning 'purse' mouth. Each 'plate' of the cantle is formed from two 10oz veg tanned sides which will sandwich the fur and the leather (for the back side).

The body is skunk in a very rich black. The stripe has very good definition. The interior is a very nice 4oz dark red suede, which can be seen behind everything. This serves a dual purpose. It reinforces the back of the fur (which can be a touch delicate) and also give a bit of visual interest when the sporran is opened.

It will have a gusset to aid storage.

The braiding for the center closure and side ties is a four-strand square sennit. I like this braid particularly as the skin side of the leather always faces outward, giving a nice finished appearance. Please note that the sample is actually blue, I was just demoing it for the commissioner and had a scrap of blue around to use

The top-knot that the center braid wraps around is a manrope knot. This is a very solid knot with HEAPS of history and a very nice finished look, almost herringbone. It is cut of 2oz veg tan dyed black to match the cantle. Again, please note that the sample is an undyed trial.

The design IS finished, final details squared away. Templates are cut and materials sourced. From this point onward, I intend to fully document the build-out.

As always, constructive comments and critique are welcome and invited.

**Nighthawk** · 23rd August 10, 10:08 PM

That's cool! I have a similar project in the works for the festival off-season. I look forward to seeing this one finished.

**tyger** · 24th August 10, 03:28 AM

That is an inovative design insofar as the leatherwork imitates metalwork. I like it, and look forward to your pictures of progress toward completion.

**artificer** · 24th August 10, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by tyger

That is an inovative design insofar as the leatherwork imitates metalwork. I like it, and look forward to your pictures of progress toward completion.

Thanks. I've been toying with the idea of the hammered texture on a cantel for quite a while, and when the commissioner and I got together, it just seemed like a good place to use it. My original plan for myself called for the hammered inset to be antiqued like beaten copper- I may still use this for myself at a later time.

It's a hard type of sporran to design. Not in terms of physical construction, but rather in terms of the 'long shadow' cast by a certain ARTIST.

The problem for me existed in that one individual

is best known for the type of bag, even though the bag design itself is an old one, as is using fur hide. Whilst he's not the only one making the style of bag, he's by FAR the best known.

Not wanting to be seen as copying another craftsman's work (while still trying to stay in the realms of established Highland style) lead me to continually question if "X" design feature could be interpreted as too close to established work.

The hammered tooling on the cantle, the laced lip, the number of braids, their style as well as material choices for the bag will hopefully help this sporran be "it's own" rather than an imitation, while still falling into the established realm of highland style (ie NOT modern design).

**Ryan Ross** · 24th August 10, 02:50 PM

Oooooooo mamma...

Looking forward to seeing this project unfold. It looks spectacular, thus far, and I've no doubt that it will deliver, upon completion.

P.S. I also love the hammered effect.

**Downunder Kilt** · 24th August 10, 03:14 PM

Artificer, you have done it again, absolutely beautiful work. I really like the hammered/beaten cantle and would love to see it in a copper, even old brass.
I am not really a skunk man, but can see the possibilities in a myriad of other skins. All the best with the project

**bdkilted** · 24th August 10, 04:26 PM

Love the skunk. The leather is good, but a shiny metal would be better.

**adsmguy** · 24th August 10, 05:29 PM

I really like the hammered look!

**BLHS209** · 24th August 10, 05:54 PM

Like the skunk with the dark cantel. Plus, you have white stripes where usually they are yellow-white (like mine). Like others, looking forward to more of the "in progress" photos.

**artificer** · 24th August 10, 08:12 PM

Thanks all! I've been really excited to get this project rolling. My favorite part of making sporrans is in developing a new model or detail.

Originally Posted by BLHS209

Like the skunk with the dark cantel. Plus, you have white stripes where usually they are yellow-white (like mine). Like others, looking forward to more of the "in progress" photos.

I actually ordered a couple of pelts so I'd be sure the commissioner got exactly what he wanted. The other that came in has a more yellowish cast. I'll probably use that for my son, he's four and wants a skunk sporran... oh what we do for our children