#5-Irish Harp Sporran

[Panache]

A question.

Did you create all these different designs or are they copied from another source?

The more I look at your Harp sporran, the more I think it is a real winner.

Cheers

Cheers

[cloves]

Wow! When are you gonna add your name to the list of board members selling their wares?
I could see myself wearing one of those for sure!

[PiobBear]

Beautiful! I might have to plagiarize that one!

By the way, where'd you get a saffron tie?

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Wow Tom, that is awesome. I thought #4 was a pinnacle, but you have surpassed yourself. Are you schizophrenic?

[MacTavishOfJapan]

Fantastic work Tom. That's a beautiful sporran.

[ckelly327]

That's Gorgeous. I'm very envious of your abilities and your collection.

[A Hay]

Thank you all for your encouraging comments.

I'll try to answer some of the questions below:

I hope you don't mind, but I cleaned up the bottom photo in photoshop so others could see the detail.

Thanks Splash, I'll try to get some shots in natural daylight this weekend. The mahogany color really shows up then.

A question.

Did you create all these different designs or are they copied from another source?

I took the ideas from thoughts about what represents the Scots, Irish, and Welsh cultures to most people, or at least those of us that have some affinity to the subject. I look on Google images for things like rampant lion, welsh dragon, irish harp, etc. When I find an image that I like, I make a copy and adjust it to print out the right size for the sporran. I put the paper copy over a piece of barely damp leather and trace the lines I want with a ball point pen. I may leave some parts out or change it to make it simpler and more suitable to carve in leather.
I'm thinking about a Shamrock, or some celtic knots for future projects. I've got a book coming.

I like the simplicity and plainness of what I have done so far. Don't care much for tassles, although they are nice at a highland games as they drum on the front panel when marching to the pipe tunes!

Wow! When are you gonna add your name to the list of board members selling their wares?
I could see myself wearing one of those for sure!

Cloves, I'm just now getting to a point after 5 practice pieces where they might be good enough for sale. Being affiated with the US Forces in Germany, I'm under some restrictions on making things for sale. I'm investigating what I would have to do to legally sell them, and if I can, I will try to offer them for sale. It is a relaxing hobby, but I need to recover some of my costs, and it is cheaper than buying golf balls with my swing.

Beautiful! I might have to plagiarize that one!

By the way, where'd you get a saffron tie?

PioBear, the saffron tie came from Stillwater, as did the flashes and the SWK saffron kilt. I have worn the tie to the office with khaki pants and it looks nice.

To those who might be interested in making their own leather sporrans, it does not take a lot of tools, probably less than $100 to start. I mostly use an angled swivel knife, a beveler stamp, and a modeling tool. You can get more tools later if you want to make floral designs. I have a piece of smooth marble from an old desk pen set for a firm base to stamp the beveled outline and a plastic headed mallet. Google Tandy Leather Company and you can get everything you need. (there are other firms out there also, some cheaper)

Again, thanks to all for your kind words. One of the best things about this site is the supportive comments and suggestions as we share our successes and sorrows.

Tom

[beloitpiper]

All I ask is that you let us know when you start selling them. With that sporran, I'd be the envy of all of IrishFest!!