Tag Archives: craft

Lesson: Notebook Cover

Posted by heidi on June 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

There’s an assembly aspect to leather that I haven’t tried on my own before this class. This aspect entails being able to cut straight from the hide without a pattern. Projects like wallets, bags, shoes and notebook covers just to name a few. Everything I’ve done up until this point has been done with a pattern that tells me what kind of leather to use, where to cut, where to punch, and how to stitch. But I wouldn’t call myself a true “Artisan” unless I could do the work I do WITHOUT a pattern. Continue reading →

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Lesson: Creative Stamping

Posted by heidi on June 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

am IN LOVE. Cutting and tooling leather comes very easy to me which you might think is a bit odd. After all, the stamps are already made, so wouldn’t the act of stamping be easier? Well, in theory, you’re right. But when the work is half-done for me, I have a hard time finishing it. I’m much better at creating something from scratch. But this, while it doesn’t come easy to me, is so satisfying to have a piece that looks great. Continue reading →

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Lesson: Mask

Posted by heidi on June 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

Everyone in class was given the same design and Tony highlighted a couple tips & tricks for cutting the pattern out of the leather. There were different tools for us to try out and use and there were quite a few folks in the class that got wonderfully creative with the actual cutting. I love it when folks color outside the lines! Continue reading →

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Gemologist – I am not.

Posted by heidi on June 21, 2010 | Leave a comment

There is one part of Jewelry Design that my classes don’t cover. That’s the identification, faceting, cutting, etc of gemstones. Which is cool, but it’s also a bummer. It’s cool because I’m focusing more on the metal-smithing which is what I’m most interested in. It’s kind of a bummer, too, because there’s really no way to tell if you’re getting ripped off or not. Continue reading →

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Lesson: Flask

Posted by heidi on April 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

I like to have the occasional drink just as much as the next gal. In fact, I searched hi and low for a cute little flask that would fit into my garter belt for my wedding day just so I … Continue reading →

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Jewelry School: Week 2

Posted by heidi on April 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

This full-time school gig is no joke. It’s great and I’m LOVING it. Although I’m ashamed to admit I have not worked on a single leather item since I started school. I thought for sure I’d be able to focus … Continue reading →

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Lesson: Dog Collar

Posted by heidi on April 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

One of the classes that I recently finished with Tony was on making custom dog collars. As a dog-lover and previous dog-owner I love being able to accessorize them (I never made mine wear an argyle sweater, though) and make … Continue reading →

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Lesson: Belt

Posted by heidi on April 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

I’ve always used the belt blanks that Tandy already has cut and available but I’ve never been crazy out them. I’ve always wanted . . . Continue reading →

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Vendor Fair #1 of 2010

Posted by heidi on March 24, 2010 | 1 Comment

At the end of the day, the last I heard was that they raised about $2k from the event and partnership with GrillSmith’s lunch and they were quite happy about it. Granted, that much money is more than I could afford to give them myself, but I suppose I just had larger expectations. I don’t think they realized what they COULD HAVE raised if they put in the right effort. Continue reading →

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Always room for the Basics

Posted by heidi on March 23, 2010 | Leave a comment

Since exiting Corporate America this past January, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of finally learning the “proper” ways to work with Leather. Everything I’ve done until just this past year has been a self-taught experience. Surprisingly, I haven’t been too off the mark with a lot of things. Continue reading →

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