Evening all, work got in the way today, just when I was feeling creative aswell. Before work and during my lunch break I found time to dye the pouches using black Antiquing medium, they really POP now and my ordinary hole spacing will disappear with the Lazy S stitch done in 3mm black lace. Not sure if I'll rub them back to distress / age them.
I have not 100% decided yet on the final Colour scheme, but the image in my mind just now is to combine the Black and Dark Brown Antiquing medium, perhaps with the Dice and Python done in various depths of colour that the black medium will allow and the body of the Quiver using the dark brown medium.
- dyed pouches.jpg (57.27 KiB) Viewed 2104 times
I also managed to cut with the Swivel knife the Dice just about to roll Snake eyes a short time ago. It's not quite finished as I need to use the beveling and modeling tools as I've began too with the Python to give the Dice a 3D effect The border you can see will be followed using a Barbed wire border pattern, you may be able to see the beginnings of Barb wire pattern in some of the other photo's in the corner sections.
Picture the top of the Quiver with the Dice pattern folded over to the front of the Quiver so your eyes are drawn to the Snake eyes, the flap held in place by press studs against the Calf hide snake skin print
. I am considering cutting either a smaller circle inside the single circle or a larger circle outside so the Dices single dots looks more like eyes, I'll sleep on it
- Snake eyes.jpg (72.71 KiB) Viewed 2104 times
Simon I have not done true to life dye jobs. The floral design is really begging to be done true to life. An Australian master leather craftsman I discovered recently does Native flora tooling that he dyes with a masters touch true to life - stunning work. Check this out
http://www.petermain.com/parent.htm Strange thing is I first tooled Aussie flora about 3 years ago and I was amazed to see how closely the designs I was drawing and the background I used mimicked his and I had never seen his work before. Of coarse I am still using antique medium instead of multiple colours and there's the slight issue of Master craftsman Vs mug hack. It's just a matter of me finding a spare $100 to buy some dyes and an instruction manual - then I'll tackle that Armguard and dye it as true to life as I can. Who knows in about 50 years I might be good at it
I haunted a great leather shop called Crispin's Leather and the vast majority of the tools I have I bought on clearance sales for a few $ each. Full price you will pay up to $20 each. She is winding back her business with a view to retirement to be open 2 mornings a week but does do mail order.
Crispin Leather is the best leather shop around in my view. I just jumped in the deep end years ago and started making things and Crispin's helped me out along the way. She's in Kedron Park Rd Wooloowin Brisbane. She is only open on Wednesday and Thursday mornings for over the counter sales but operates a mail order service.
http://www.crispinleather.com.au/
Also have a look at Birdsall Leather, they are in Sydney. Have not used them myself but am assured by good mates they are good to deal with and their website is well constructed with pictures to assist in selecting what you need
http://www.birdsall-leather.com.au/
There's also Packer Leather, I only use them out of convenience as they are 10 minutes from home.
http://www.packerleather.com/
Best advice I can give mate is to get along to a local leather craft store, ask about lessons and get taught the proper techniques and how to use the tools correctly, perhaps buy a book or 2 with projects that appeal and follow the directions. I am bumbling along learning as I go as until recently did not have any pattern or how too books other than a lacing manual. You might guess I bought the Peter Main book
regards Jacko
"To my deep morticication my father once said to me, 'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.' "
- Charles Darwin
just keep feeding the information about yourbuild along, 
.........Bill
and thats what you got 
Things have gone south. Not to worry ,live and learn, I've got just enough leather left to start another to finish this build along. I was shattered as the Python looked awesome
who else would not notice this until it's to late. It's not the end of the world in that I can cut out the profile of the Python and applique it for a 3D effect on another project. The rest of the Quiver body is fine for making pouches or knife sheaths etc from.
but overall this is my best tooling effort to date 
Minister of finances decided there was a more important thing to spend it on 
