Knotty Hide Leathers

I get some very unique requests and I love it! A past school mate contacted me for a custom He-Man Master's of the Universe costume from the 1980s film. I've not done anything with costumes but I had SO MUCH FUN!!

A big hurdle was finding good pictures for the details of the armor. Movie screenshots, action figures and locating collectors pics of the original outfit all played a role.

To keep cost and weight down I used cosplay foam for the skeleton of the shoulder armor and wrist guard. I heat molded the foam and covered with leather that was then carefully painted and antiqued. I also tooled leather straps for the edges to match.

The body harness is all leather and brass hardware. I hand made the central chest piece from clay and mounted to leather for the straps to attach to. I also reused some old leather straps and a belt for the battle-worn final touches.

My goal was to hint to the look and details of the movie costume without going overboard on time and details for a Halloween costume to be worn once. I'm glad the customer was happy and really loved making this outfit!

EVERY good project has 3 key ingredients... blood, sweat, and tears!

Don't ALWAYS just do leather, made these for the Milan Fall Festival and they are super cute!

Busy busy busy! Repairs, custom orders and a small competition piece in the middle! Last minute leather shootout piece. Didn't win but got great comments on our entry! This one will be staying with me 🥰

You guys! I'm so excited this piece has found a home! I made this for the Pendleton Leather Competition a few years ago. It took time but it's found it's home with a leather enthusiast. Carefully conditioning and packing to get it to its new home!

I took my mobile leather supplies to the CTDA (Central Tennessee Dressage Association) Dressage show this weekend and got some on-site repairs done! English or Western, tack, motorcycle gear, or anything else leather! I can potentially repair it and bring it back to life. I can also do full take-down, clean, polish, and condition on your saddles and tack!

My husband and I finally got the bikes out for a ride! Really enjoyed checking out this Biker shop in Bradford, TN. Dropped off a business card for their bulletin board. Thank you Jus' Bike Me , it was great to meet you two!

Ok friends! Back from a much needed family vacation and ready to GIT ER DONE!!! Time to make some awesomeness in my shop and get creative. Some pics from the trip, definitely coming back inspired!

Well everyone, we didn't place in either category. Disappointing to say the least, but still tons of great feedback and Definitely trying to rub elbows! People are loving the art and creativity so that's good. Thanks for everyone's support and great comments! I'll attach pictures of 1st-3rd in the two categories so I can share with you! The first 3 were in the same category so the quiver and the second three were in the mustangs category

Alrighty! Made it to Sheridan and both entries are delivered. Got the belt and quiver set up on a chap stand to properly display it. We'll see tomorrow what the results are!

Finished my other entry for the Leather Crafter's Journal World Leather Debut competition in Sheridanthis weekend. This was a unique piece in that I delved more into epoxy on leather. This was the first time doing it on something that large. The pictures don't do it justice, as there are actually built up layers of paint and epoxy to create more depth. The painting is my rendition of a photo by Byron Nelson. I really wanted to paint the light in the photo. The figures are actually raised and embossed into the leather. I wish I could show you what it really looks like through images! I leave for Sheridan tomorrow with this and the archery quiver to submit. Last year there were some other amazing artists from around the world and we didn't quite make top 3. But I learned from last year and hoping that my creativity shows through!

ALSO! This piece will be available for purchase after the show!

Phew!!! FINALLY DONE!! This was a very technically challenging project but a great learning opportunity. These bags were a custom order for a fellow biker in Colorado. I took the original bags and made templates, reusing the molded plastic back panels with the mounting hardware as well as all the trimming and piping. We went with a poker and Scorpio theme, with a shout-out to his loved one's fight with cancer and one of his favorite poker players. The rose is alive and well in one, and when it comes to it's end it is shedding petals in the other design because "Life is Short" and you're "all in baby" with a royal flush. There is meaning throughout the designs. It's finished off with perfectly matched card suite conchos. I'm happy with the outcome, and learned so much! Looking forward to the next project with this customer :)

Two weeks until the Rocky Mountain Leather Show with Leather Crafter's Journal in Sheridan, Wyoming! Can't wait for some great classes including learning how to make custom fitted vests. Not to mention entering TWO items in the competition this year! I'm excited!

Ready for paint!!

So much truth!!!

Finally finished my shop! This is my second workshop but my first total shell build-out. I took things I learned in my first shop and applied them here. I'm also excited about my new splitter and clicker I picked up from an auction for $700! Can't wait to make it a mess again 🤣

Really? On the steel dies???

This cat Y'all... she insists on being my ever-present living shawl. At least she's a phenomenal mouser!

New item I can make that is just RIPE for customization!! Co-worker or boss? Spouse that works from home? A custom mouse pad is a beautiful USEABLE gift for every day use!!

Another custom order going out to Hunter, owner of Zee Bait Co. LLC ! What says 'Murica more than bald eagles and bass!! Hand stitched and hand painted, made to last a lifetime!

Y'ALL! Building my first saddle has been on my list, but getting to build a MINIATURE saddle?!?! Anyone that knows me knows I love tiny mini things, this is going to be so freaking awesome! Might have to enter it into some saddle makers competitions 🤔😆 Will look great as a display too in MAYBE our soon to be STORE???? 🤫

"Hi, excuse me, yea... so why is my order taking so long?"

Well, because shop gremilins... that's why... FML 😒😭☠️

Finally finished this HUGE commission for a customer. I think it's one of my best pieces to date. His request was a fully custom belt and quiver fashioned to look like a gunslinger belt and holster. This set up is designed with archery competition in mind, as it will be used this year at The Vegas Shoot in a week!

The entire set is hand tooled on top quality Hermann Oak leather and lined with a pigskin suede. The buckstitch is a white kangaroo lace. The antler knife was provided by the customer. Everything is hand stitched, hand painted, and hand finished. All clips and attachments were designated by the customer.

I can't wait to see this in action. It's been months in the making. Pictures just don't do it justice!