Only peripherally kilt related leather work...

**HippieLee** · 29th July 13, 10:06 AM

but I was proud of myself for this being the first thing I've ever done with leather.
IMG_20130728_242738_422.jpg

I mentioned in my introduction post that I found this site while doing research into leather working because I want to make my own sporran. I don't think Artificer needs to start sweating any time soon but I thoroughly enjoyed everything about working with the leather to make this journal cover and I intend to keep going until I'm good at it - maybe even further!

2 weeks ago I had no idea I wanted to work with leather and since then I've decided I want to make a sporran, researched leather working, found this site (and looked lustfully at some of you folks' beautiful work), bought some basic tools and took this class at a local Tandy Leather store where I learned to measure and cut and double loop lace. They have classes every saturday and next week is beginner tooling so I'm very excited for that one...

Thanks for letting me share!

**Grizzly** · 29th July 13, 11:35 AM

Very nice work if that's your first attempt, I look forward to your progress.

**HippieLee** · 29th July 13, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Very nice work if that's your first attempt, I look forward to your progress.

Thank you sir! I vaguely remember maybe pounding on some leather as a Cub Scout but that would have been 40 years ago or so so I don't count that as much experience...Oh lordy that shop was full of so many things I want to try..lol...I'm worried this might take the place of record collecting in vying for my spendin' money...but I'm going to have buy and practice on a lot of things since I want to make a sporran I'm proud of rather than a "refrigerator art" class of project...I count myself lucky to have some fine examples here at X Marks to aim for.

My wife loved the journal cover though and for now that's plenty fine. The good news is I know what mistakes I made this time so hopefully I'll remember to learn from them.

**unixken** · 29th July 13, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by HippieLee

I'm going to have buy and practice on a lot of things since I want to make a sporran I'm proud of rather than a "refrigerator art" class of project...

If it doesn't come out quite as you'd like, just put two dents in it and call it an ashtray. ;)

**HippieLee** · 29th July 13, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by unixken

If it doesn't come out quite as you'd like, just put two dents in it and call it an ashtray. ;)

My office-mate is now wondering why I'm L'ng my AO. I may end up with ash-trays for all my family before I get a sporran I like - fortunately, I am fond of a cigar every now and again with my scotch so my son and I will need ash trays too...

Speaking of scotch, check out this mirror I found in an antiques store earlier this month - I plan to build a bar around it:
buch_mirror.jpg

I probably should stick to one project at a time but it will be a little while before I can start the bar anyway ...heck, I might get good enough at leather to incorporate some into the bar...

**Hopper250** · 29th July 13, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by HippieLee

My office-mate is now wondering why I'm L'ng my AO. I may end up with ash-trays for all my family before I get a sporran I like - fortunately, I am fond of a cigar every now and again with my scotch so my son and I will need ash trays too...

Speaking of scotch, check out this mirror I found in an antiques store earlier this month - I plan to build a bar around it:
buch_mirror.jpg

I probably should stick to one project at a time but it will be a little while before I can start the bar anyway ...heck, I might get good enough at leather to incorporate some into the bar...

That looks really nice. Some tooled dark leather strips, nice scroll work or a couple of large squares done in knots look really nice against light wood. All under laquer of course.

**unixken** · 29th July 13, 02:23 PM

Sweet mirror! I love it!

**adempsey10** · 29th July 13, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by HippieLee

but I was proud of myself for this being the first thing I've ever done with leather.
IMG_20130728_242738_422.jpg

I mentioned in my introduction post that I found this site while doing research into leather working because I want to make my own sporran. I don't think Artificer needs to start sweating any time soon but I thoroughly enjoyed everything about working with the leather to make this journal cover and I intend to keep going until I'm good at it - maybe even further!

2 weeks ago I had no idea I wanted to work with leather and since then I've decided I want to make a sporran, researched leather working, found this site (and looked lustfully at some of you folks' beautiful work), bought some basic tools and took this class at a local Tandy Leather store where I learned to measure and cut and double loop lace. They have classes every saturday and next week is beginner tooling so I'm very excited for that one...

Thanks for letting me share!

Very nice!

**HippieLee** · 29th July 13, 12:02 PM

Thank you Mr. Dempsey! Now that my daughter has seen this she's decided she want's a sporran too...I told her If I get good enough to make one, I ought to be good enough to make two...I've seen some posts on converting a sporran to a purse but I think she really wants a sporran and a kilt too lol...not that I'm complaining about that - I'm happy she's into it!

**A Hay** · 29th July 13, 12:08 PM

Everyone has to start somewhere. Where you take it is up to you.

I took shop class in high school and one segment was on leatherwork. I made a billfold that I carried until it fell apart.
20 years later I made another one.
And about 20 years after that I made my first sporran. It has become my hobby now and I keep getting new ideas of other things I can do in addition to sporrans.

There is just something satisfying about making something you can use for yourself or friends.

Keep at it and if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask here on the forum. Lots of folks can help.

Tom