Happy New Year

  The New Year fast approaches full of promise and excitement. I hope the New Year bring you health and happiness. Thank you all my friends, customers and supporters for a providing encouragement in starting my new venture. The truth is I did not have much choice in the matter however your encouragement has been invaluable. I hope 2014 will be at least as interesting as 2013.

      I wish you all a peaceful and prosperous New Year

As Mr Singer Intended

   It has been a fairly eventful couple of weeks and very different to Christmas of the past few years. Orders and inquiries have been coming in steadily. I managed to get over to the leather suppliers and have the makings for a couple of commissions. I start back On Monday 30th to get a couple of items in the post.

  The 29 has some more attention and oil. I had to resort to the hammer to persuade a part of the mechanism to join the reminder of the machine in working. The mechanism that moves the foot up and down just needed a few friendly raps to free it. More oil and working it up and down freed it up and had running as smooth as silk. The tensioner, stitch length and foot lift all now work as Mr Singer intended. I found the parts I need from the Internet so I expect I will be sewing by this time next week - postal service permitting. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all the folks that have helped me along the way this year. Merry Christmas to my customers that have put money in my pocket in exchange for a lovely hand crafted leather pieces, repairs or refurbishments. Merry Christmas to all those that have given me moral support. And the biggest Marry Christmas to she who must be obeyed for believing in me. I feel as if I have already had my Christmas present this year. Here's to the New Year, happy and prosperous not just for me but for all you big hearted souls.

Best wishes from Dave.

Papplewick Christmas Fair

   I was one of a select few craftsmen to be invited to attend the Christmas Fair at Papplewick Pumping Station. Click HERE for their website. There was David Gill the Blacksmith, Bob Newman the wood turner and me doing my leather work. Well, I would have done some leather work but it was perishing cold. The sun was so low in the sky, it being the day after the winter solstice, and the courtyard being surrounded by two story buildings and beyond that a big stand of trees which all led to a lack of direct sunshine. The wind was biting cold. I set up my gazebo but only put one side of it. Anymore and I would have a parachute loosely tethered to the ground. The one side gave a degree of shelter from the wind. I set up my new folding table and set out the goodies. Extra care was needed to make sure nothing would blow away in the gusts.

   11 0'clock came and gates were opened. Folks came in and went straight past me with hardly a glance. I discovered this was the choir that were performing at midday. Visitors came in but did not linger. Most were dressed in their finery for the concert. The volunteers of the Pumping Station came by to say hello which was very nice. Bob the wood turner was set up next to me. He was very organised. He had a trailer which was set up with a lathe, lights and a heater. It took him minutes to set up and pack up. Bob likes a chat so we kept each other company through the day.

Old and new knobs

I was recently given a seized up Singer 29 leather sewing machine. The wooden knob on the flywheel was broken. I knew a wood turner would be at the event so I took along the broken knob. It had split from end to end from drying out. Bob was only too pleased to make my a replacement. As he rightly said, doing something bring people in and it passes the time. The story of the knob gave Bob something to talk to the customer about and it demonstrated the cross over in skills.

The new knob fitted to the 29

 

   As the day warmed up and the wind dropped more people came to see the various performances. Those folks that had seen the performances then came to look at our stalls as did the performers themselves. Lots of the volunteers came by to say hello. I met some interesting folks. Lots of stories for folks to tell me. I found out that the model boat club was based at the pumping station. That gave me an idea to do up my A class yacht so I could sail it at the station. The A class is impressive in full sail.


   Ashley, the Director of the station, came by to see how we were all doing. I now have an open invitation for all the open days at the station for 2014. I can see Papplewick being a regular venue for me. It is a nice place and nice people. The event close at 4pm. Just as well, the Sun had set and with the sun went whatever heat it provided. Being out doors all day was fine. I was dressed for the day and the gazebo provided shelter from the wind.

   The steam engines were shutdown and were started to be cleaned. I packed up my pitch and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and with that my last event for 2013 was over. Time to take stock over the Christmas break. Having said that I was at The Identity Store in Matlock on Monday. Jackie made me a brew which came with a mince pie. Jackie left me to peruse the stock. I have a couple of commissions for which I need suitable pieces of leather. Jackie came up trumps as usual. Whilst chatting over the brew told that Jackie and Peter, The Identity Store, would like to do some joint events in 2014. We did a joint event at the Midlands Game Fair earlier in the year. Click HERE for the story.

Merry Christmas.
 

Savage Opress - The Clone Wars

   I was asked by a couple if I could rework a costume they had made. The character was Savage Opress from animated TV series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

We had a chat about the positive and negative elements of the existing costume.  One of the issues was that the armour was a little flat and the arms holes were too tight. Rendering a 2D image into real world 3D always presents issues. There is a pesky thing here on Earth called gravity. Gravity does not exist in comic books. So getting the full effect one the shoulder poudrons and arm blades were always going to be tricky. The suits had to wearable as the customer was going to use the costume for trooping. Prior to the order for the costume being placed I was at a trooping for the 99th Garrison at the Bluebell hospice I found a comic book of the Clone Wars. Perfect reading for the back story of Savage Opress.

The tunic was a good fit and just about fitted one of my manikins. It was not difficult to work out the size and relative positions of the pouldron lames [the individual leaves of the pouldron] from the screen shots. Card is a handy material to make up maquettes of the pieces. The key bit for me was to make the pouldrons appear to be floating. The obvious answer is spacers but they would effect the curve of the pouldron and how was I going to create a foundation to support the floating poudrons? 

   The answer was to create a yolk that fit under the tunic and rest of the costume build hinged on this decision. The yolk comes in two parts, one for each shoulder. The yolk sits on top of foam padding. The padding gives a comfort fit and at the same time holds the screws in place and shields the heads from the costumers skin. I used a 50mm webbing straps to act as a hinges to allow movement in the front chest area. The back strap holds the yolk in place without help from the tunic but also allows the tunic to be removed. After getting the yolk to work it was relatively straight forward to cut all the lames and blades from Aluminium. As with any cutting process the edges needed cleaning up and all the pairs of lames and arm blade needed regularising. Regularising ships planks just needs a plane, regularising lames needs a file and a lot of patience especially the blades. At this stage I was ready from a first fitting. 

 We arranged to meet on the motorway and booked a meeting room for our purposes. I had profiled the yolk in advance and prepped the webbing straps. I dropped the yolk on Mark [the customer]. It was a close fit from the off. It took about half an hour to custom fit the yolk. We then secured the yolk to the foam padding. Another tweak session with the padding locked in place. The tunic was then placed over the yolk for a trial fit. My concern was that the yolk would be to bulky under the tunic. The fit was good. It actually tightened up the tunic. The sleeves holes were always a bit tight. We decided that the sleeve holes would definitely need to be changed. The tunic had fleece sleeves and these would not support the arm blades and the arm aperture need re-profiling. With Mark in his suit we spent a good deal of time marking up the tunic with the position of the pouldron's fixing points and the arm blades. Julia made sure we had plenty of tea to lubricate my brain. We finalised the requirements and packed up and said our goodbyes.

   Back in the studio:  The detailing on the tunic was a little lacking on the pectoral area of the chest. I made a couple of large shaped patches to fit from the chest to the shoulder blades, one of reach side. The patches were sewn on with and pocket padded out with wadding to give the chest area a level of relief. The next job was to cut all the spacers to length for PVC rod. The rod had to drill for the special interscrews. The interscrews had to be cut to length for the position in which they to be installed allowing from the thickness of the Aluminium and the leather that was to cover the aluminium in the finishing. The spacers gave the floating effect. The interscrews gave the strength and articulation of the lames. One vital for the look the other vital for comfort and wearability. The arms were re-made in leather and a little larger than the originals to allow for the arm blades supporting plate and foam backing. More spacers and interscrews for the blades. Then all I had to do cut holes in the tunic and sleeves for the interscrews, drill holes in the Aluminium yolk, lames and blades and assemble the armour, spacers and interscrews. It took ages. This was a second fit. Having decided it all fitted together, I took all apart again.

   The next step was to cover the lames and blades with shiny leather. In this case special finished lamb.The lamb gave the Aluminium substrate more body. This job was a trial of epic proportions. The finish had to be just so as it is the final finish. The interscrew holes had to be re-drilled and cleaned up. Only then could I reassemble the pouldrons to ensure they still fitted the articulated. I should not that worried they fitted fine. The blades were covered and fitted to the sleeve via the supporting plate. I should say at this time that clock was ticking, not because Mark had created a deadline but because I was to debut Savage Opress at MCM Birmingham three weeks from the first fitting. 

   I had a little leather over from the pouldrons so I fugured to would be worthwhile recovering the siliver elements of the boots. Part way through the molding of the toe boxes I was thinking I had made a mistake however more tea and some perseverance and the job came together. We decided the kilt needed better support so I added eight heavy duty poppers which would secure the kilt to the tunic very securely. I got some rubber coloured paint [Tamika] the paint out the heads of the poppers. 

   The final job was the vambraces [forearm armour]. Card, pencil and scissors created maquettes of the vambraces. I wanted the floating effect but had to compromise the size of the pieces. It that gravity thing again as well as the ergonomics of the piece in the real world. I was able to used the original leather arm bracers as a base for the Aluminium, soon to be covered in leather vambraces. I created a vent in the cuffs of the original bracers to make access easier and to be able close the cuff tighter if needed. The maquette was made into a pattern; the Aluminium cut and cleaned, the flat Aluminium rolled to the desire circumference, covered with leather and fitted to the bracers with spacers for the flying effect. The final piece is going to be completed with latex gloves is Opress colours but with the addition of claws, in the meantime I made a couple of plates for the back of the hands, finished to complement the vambraces. That that was it finished. I made a display stand to use at MCM. All done with a couple of days to go. The tricky bit is to stop titivating the piece. I was lucky to have other pieces to distract me from Savage O.

   Mark lent me the Latex Savage Opress mask. The display stand was made to hold the bust on which the mask was fitted. Savage looked a bit round shouldered at MCM but it did not stop a constant stream of folks taking pictures and talking about it. The word is that there is a Savage Opress in Northern Ireland and one being made in Scotland. Mark's is the only one in England and Wales. 

          

 Mark took delivery of Savage Opress on 8th December. We made a tweak to one of the lames. I am sure he was pleased with it. I came away with a nice bottle of Sherry to boot. 

          

Isambard Kingdom Brunel !!

    It has been a bit strange since the weekend. I worked very hard to get ready for the Comicon in Birmingham followed the next weekend by a local event on Saturday in Ashby the which book ended by Steampunk events on the Friday and Saturday nights. Throw in a visit to suppliers, a quite pint with my Movember brothers and a drop in my friends shop to have a glass of bubbly to celebrate their 25 years  in their shoe in Swadlincote and I suppose it is no wonder I am a bit pooped. On Tuesday I was in London on a discovery mission about new technology to mix in with my traditional style pieces. I cannot say anymore about that except that it is very interesting.

   The Steampunk events were a hoot. The Saturday do was at Snibson Discovery Museum in Coalville. Click HERE for their website. It was not just a gathering but it also had several small performances and one grand performance. It was sort of a promenade performance as the audience moved for one tableau to the next. We were led to the theatre through the machine hall of the museum escorted by one of the miners [who as a day job explain the mining equipment to the visitors]. Many of the exhibits were wrapped up as if mothballed. The miners script went along the lines of the machines being of another age and our failure to understand how they worked or what they did. However they were preserved so they must have been important. It is difficult to relay the impact of the grand performance but I shall try. Snibson is a disused coal mine. The winding gear and many of workings and railway tracks are still present. It was a pitch black, cold November night outside as we were led from the theater were we had just experienced a performance relating to the memories contained the Cast Iron and how to extract those memories. As we made our way through external part of the Cast Iron memories interactive pieces, our way lined by braziers stoked up by the biting wind. We gathered in front of  a gantry which crossed the railway tracks. A young lady gave us two soprano operatic solos. Very powerful from one so small. Hanging from the gantry was a large screen. As the operatic element came to a close a gentleman on the other side of the gantry gave a spoken piece. As he delivered his oration a montage of images splashed onto the make shift screen. The oration was in form of a advertisement for an imagined company concern with future of power. Coal, history, power were all heaped into the performance. It sounded to me like a political manifesto being delivered. The climax of the oration was a real locomotive bursting through the screen. It was a very powerful piece. We were led through the darkness of the goods yard to the dimly lit museum. On entering the museum we were presented with a red pouch with contain something hard. On inspection it was a piece of coal. It was quite moving. With the museum to ourselves we took in the galleries and drifted back to the foyer where a second helping of food had appeared. A smashing three piece combo [organ, accordion and drums] were quietly playing traditional English country tunes in an up beat tempo. In side rooms there were exhibits of ray guns with the inventor along side to explain the up side and down sides of each piece. Next door was a several pieces from the museums collection of clothes. The pieces were corsets from the 18th and 19th century.
   I spotted a couple who looked vaguely familiar. Given that I went to an event were I fully expected to know no one at all it was a bit of a surprise to recognise a face. The couple turned out to be Cumbrian's we had met on a BMW motorcycle weekend twenty some years ago. They were attending another Steampunk event the next evening so I arrange to go to that as well and take my good lady along. An altogether splendid evening.

  The least said about the Saturday craft market the better. There had been a Steampunk event on all day at the Space centre Leicester. Click HERE for their website. We only attended the evening element. The rocket tower lent itself to a bunch to retro-futurists. There was performance poetry [John Cooper Clark's job is safe], a kind of musical hall witty banter and comedic songs element and a mentalist. In another space was a series of Victorian gaming tables, a type of shove ha'penny, bagatelle and pontoon. The event was collecting for the Movember men's health charity which had ended on the same day. Click HERE for the Movember website and find out what it is all about. The night end with a set from a Steampunk band "The men that will not be blamed for nothing". They were raucous, witty and odd in equal measure. Anyone that can do a tune about IKB [Isambard Kingdom Brunel] is okay with me.

Turn the sound up and click play.......



   We met our buddies, made some new buddies, had a few beers - Moore Beer in fact, an homage to the great Sir Patrick Moore and locally brewed by Belvoir Brewery and had a jolly good time was had by all.

Thanks you and God save the Queen.

MCM Comicon Birmingam - Day Two

   Day two was a later start but no less busy before the gates opened to the public. My costuming dressmaker, Belle Costumes, arrived with her Princess Leia, Queen Amadala, Valkyrie and Jawa costumes. I added my pieces to her outfits, Leia belt, Straps for the Valkyrie breast plate and the chain maille epaulette for the same costume. We also had to rearrange the table. The count down was given by the tannoy lady and the people flooded in once again. It was a different crowd from the Saturday but no less energetic. A number of visitor folks came to both days so they were greeted as "friends". The Valkyrie piece was something Fem451, my dressmaking friend's cosplay nom de plume, and I put together for the show. Fem451 made a medieval/Game of Thones style of dress and a breast plate modeled from a Victorian theatre prop. I made the plaited leather straps for the breast plate and a chain maille epaulette. It got a lot of comments and the piece drew people in to speak to me.

   Through that piece I got a number of contacts and hopefully a commission or two. The Savage Opress piece drew a lot of comments. I later discovered it is the only one in this country. The feed back on the overall impression and detailing was very good. It is comforting to know that a knowledgeable audience appreciates your work. More of Savage in another post.

   I donned my costume for the afternoon session. The wide belt supports my back very nicely. I might start wear the belt more often. I was chatting to a professional costume actor, as you do, he commented on my outfit and deemed it to be a Steampunk theme. So now I know. My winderbusse drew nearly as much attention as Savage Opress.

Mark, the bass player from the Steampunk band Birthrite dropped by. Click HERE for their website. I duly enrolled him the Ashby de la Zouch light Winderbusse yeomanry.





   
   Thanks to Simon and Jackie of the RPF for the invitation and for looking after me. Thanks to the lads and lasses of the RPF for making me feel at home over the weekend. The Judge Dredds for not taking me into custody. And lastly but not least my better half for putting up with comings and goings at all hours

MCM Comicon Birmingham - Day One.

   The folks flooded in and it never stopped from that moment onward. The was lots of positive energy in the air. The folks were very knowledgeable. I was pleased to see they appreciated the items on show.The two hits of the day were the Savage Opress costume, a recent completion for a customer, and my Winderbusse. A steampunk weaponised contraption.  Folks ebbed and flowed. Chats were had, enquiries made and business cards distributed.

   I took a stroll round the event as I was getting stiff just standing about. It amazing what was for sale. Sweet for Japan, self published comics, a myriad of collectibles and the celebrities autographing for a few quid. I made way back to the stand and took up duties again.





Imogen modelled my Steampunk epaulette. Imogen lives in Dudley and rocks the steampunk looks on daily basis

















This young gentleman posed with my winderbusse as a favour to me. I don't think he minded.










   The day continued in much the same way. One couple did look a bit lost. The couple were of pensionable age and came over to have a chat with me. They were amazed at this new world they had discovered. They had been at the Model Train exhibition which was also on at the NEC. They took a chance and stepped into the comicon world. They liked it. Lots of folks enjoying themselves without expenses of the anyone else. It was accessible to them because the was lot s film and TV references. The gamers and Japanese anime kids was a bit strange to them but they liked the atmosphere. It was not until the tonnoy lady announced the event was closing did the visitor numbers start to dwindle. In fact a few souls had to be herded out. We exhibitor tidied up and picked over the day during well deserved sit down. I got away at 6 pm which felt early. Back tomorrow for part deux.



 

MCM Comicon Birmingham - Day Minus one.

   Day minus one at Birmingham Comicon and Collectomania. I turned up at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday at 2.30 pm. Security directed me to a car park with a long queue of vans and cars. As luck would have it the chap I was to meet, Simon and his missus Jackie, were in the same queue. Again as luck would have it they was nearer the front of the queue than me. Given there was just two lines of vehicle I ran the car down to meet him. I was let into the queue....which was nice.We were directed the loading bays where bun fight commenced. If your are not on the list you are not coming in! was the gist of the security guards message. Jackie worked her magic and entry wrist bands were procured as were free parking passes. Gold star for Jackie's merit chart.

  Si and I bagged a heap of tables for our pitch. Si gets a call to say the bike has turned up. What bike? It is only the Lawmaster motorbike from the Judge Dredd movie. We gingerly unload it then had a bit of bother manoeuvring it. Too many cooks etc. I take charge...whats new.... I whizzed round and through the doors of the venue in a trice. Nothing broken, scratched or bent. It really i easier to to do on your own. To be fair it is quite a light bike if bulky. The three of us build the back drop for the set and position the bike and Dredd manikins. A few posters and graffiti are we are done.

   I set myself to setting up my area. It is not that big a job once we have decided where all the other exhibitors are going.



Before long the other exhibitors had arrived and unloaded there wares. Unbelievable models of space ships, amazing latex masks, brilliant costumed manikins and fantastic space helmets.

   I got home about 8 pm. I glass of wine with a late tea then bed...well eventually after in had made a number of labels.  A 5 am start. It is frosty outside. However I get sorted, shower, shave, breakfast and butties made and I am in my car for the run over to the NEC in good time. Everything is as we left it the previous evening. The lady on the tannoy system counts down to the opening to the public. The folks flood in.

   

Next Outing

   Here is your next chance to see, fondle and smell some of my work. Sir John Moore Foundation know their audience. There is a free glass of wine included in the admission price.

I hope to see you there!

Click HERE for Sir John Moore Foundation website

Nice bit of Feedback

   There is a new entry on the Testimonials page. It is great when someone voices their appreciation of your work.

Phew! That was a day

   Well that was a day. After a potential rocky start when the copper sheet I had order was found not correctly cut to size the decent folks at Smiths Metals in Beeston re-cut replacements as I waited and were very apologetic. They made it better by providing a brew. They gave a very personal service. I will using them again. Click HERE for their website.I got away earlier than expected which was a bonus. The next stop was to drop the copper sheets to a polishing firm in Lye near Stourbridge in the West Midlands. The company shuts down at 1 pm on a Friday. I think that is a legacy of the old hours of working. Lye is in the heart of the Black Country. I like all the old factories and workshops but it is a pain to travel round. I made it with quarter of an hours to spare. When my business was completed the Dad of the firm introduced me to the sons business which is laser etching.

   I had my sandwiches in the car park. It was warm and sunny. "Very mild for the time of year" as they say. A railway line ran past the car park. Trains kept me company whilst I made a few phones calls and replied to emails. I took a punt and decided to visit a beekeeping suppliers that was sort of on the way home. I found the place fairly easily even though it was in the sticks or so I thought. Having bought a supply of bee candy I set off North for Solihull. In a matter in minutes I was in the hurly burly of Solihull. I had a look round Toys R Us for Nerf guns. Lots of cosplayers use Nerf guns so I figured I would do some research. I was sadly out of place in the creche that is Toys R Us Solihull. Solihull is right on the M42. Once leaving Toys R Us I was on the motorway heading home.

   I had five stops on my 150 mile journey round the English Midlands and achieved something at each stop. I very efficient day all in all.

   If you of the Tweeting persuasion you can find me on Twitter @diamondawl
 

Heritage Craft Association

   I am chuffed to report that I have been accepted into the Heritage Craft Association. As soon as I get my account credentials I shall updating my profile. You too can join as a friend of the HCA.

Victorinox Pruning Knife sheath

   I have been promising myself to practise wet forming leather and a sheath for my pruning knife. The two promises came together as made a sheath for my knife. Wet forming sounds simple and a suppose it is however a number of things have to be just right. The leather has to be wet enough to succumb to the tight shaping it is to undergo. The manipulating of the leather must not but so rough as to damage the leather's surface. Most folk mold the leather directly onto the item that is to be encased in leather. In some cases, where the item is fragile or not waterproof for instance, it might necessary to make a timber of plastic pattern of the item that you are going to encase. In my case the pruning knife is a robust item.

    The first job is always to design the finished item. It is at this point the order of build is decided. If the sheath was to be lined  or have pockets, loops or straps accommodated this would be the time to decide how the sheath is built. In this case the belt loop needed to be made and fitted to the sheath's back first.   Next the leather is selected. Sometimes the leather dictates the design and not at other times. It is important to give allowance for the flap which is made from the same piece of leather as the back. The front need plenty of allowance because the leather is going to forced around a pattern. Insufficient allowance on the wet formed leather and you make not have enough margin for some or all of the stitching.

  One can use hot or cold water to soak the leather. Hot water penetrates quicker but it tempers the finished leather like a very stiff cardboard. This can be an advantage in certain circumstances. Leave the leather in the water [hot or cold] for too long and you may have a jelly like substance that will take and age to dry before it can worked further. Very wet leather will take an impression of anything that comes into contact with the leathers surface with the slightest of pressure e.g finger prints, the weave of cloth or tools used it shaping the leather. To short a soaking and the leather will not be sufficiently supple. Forcing the leather when it is too dry is where damages to surface finish occur. When the leather is just so drape the leather over object or pattern and start to work the leather into take the shape. Be careful not to rub or press so hard as to rub off the surface layer of the leather. The time it takes to form the leather depends on the leather's characteristics. A re-soaking might be needed however patience will be needed at all times. When the leather is formed to the desired shape it has to be held in position whilst it dries. When dry the leather will hold the shape. Some folks make A and B patterns. The A pattern may be the inner shape if the piece to be contained in the pouch. The B element is often the outer shape. The B element holds the piece in shape whilst it dries. I usually leave mine overnight however a couple of hours is usually enough to fix the shape.   

 

The back section remains dry. I marked up where the belt loop was to fit. The decided what width the belt loop billet would be remembering that the had to be rolled over at the top. The trouser belt would ride against to inside of the rollover rather than against the stitching if the belt loop was sewn on flat. I made the belt loop wide enough to fit over my work belts which are 2inches [50mm] width. The edges of the belt loop needed the usual prep, bevel, dry and burnish. I stitched the belt loop to the sheath back. I also put a rivet in the top anchor of the loop just as an insurance policy. The bottom of the belt loop is to have a snap so the belt loop can be undone allowing the sheath to be detached from the trouser belt without unlooping the trouser belt.

   Back prepared and front piece molded it is a case of joining the two elements together. Cleverer folks than me cut the pieces to size then do the sewing. I leave the excess of both the back and front pieces, sew the elements together, making sure there is no distortion, then oh so carefully trim of the excess to reveal the piece. My pruning knife is curved so I left the flap over size. The last cutting job was to bring the flap down to the desired size. All the edges need the usual finishing of bevelling, dying and burnishing. The final job was to mark up and fit the Sam Brown that secures the flap. The sheath is a friction fit so the knife will not drop out, even when the sheath is shaken up side down. The flap is just for other folks sensibilities. It might be the law too!

   I can make a sheath for your knife. Please use the contact page to drop me a line.

Feedback

It is nice to get feedback on your work. This job was a replacement strap for a field lens case.

Jules from Birmingham emailed "I thought I'd let you know the strap you made for me arrived safely and fits
perfectly.

The Midlands Game Fair

   The weekend of the Midland Game Fair was a long, long weekend. It took a lot of preparation. The Midland Game Fair is treated as one of the last major game event of calendar. The Great Wall Motor World Series Clay Shooting Final and the Great Wall Motor World Series Gundog Championship Final with Chudleys, the European Field Target Championship and the Countryman’s Weekly Champion of Champions in the Terrier and Lurcher events were all held despite the weather on Sunday. As usual is missed the Falconery, working dogs and the heavy horse. I spent all my time in the Knife tent.

   I got to the show ground at Weston Park at 7am on Saturday and managed to park right outside the tent that was to be my home for the next 48 hours without any drama. I was at the event supporting Jackie and Sarah from The Identity Store [click HERE for their website]. Sarah set up their stall along one wall of the tent. I had a table at the end of the run of stall. We had arranged that I would do a series of demonstrations and from that we would sell kits to make the things I had demonstrated. As soon as you do anything on a stall you get an audience. We hoped to gain from that draw. One kit was for a leather tooling set and the other was for a sheath for a knife.


  I started off by do a "Blue Peter" and making parts of the sheath kit to show the various steps. The kits contain a generous piece of leather, a pair of needles, thread, an awl, a pattern and instructions all for £15. The kits are available from the Identity Store. As Saturday progressed I had worked through the Blue Peter parts and was starting to end up a series of sheaths. Part of the demonstration was saddle stitch. However once I started a saddle stitch I had to complete the piece even if it was after the folks had dispersed. By Sunday I was finding different ways to finish the sheaths.

   The tooling kits were a bit different. For a start they are fairly expensive at nearly £50 and that is without any leather to tool. I really only had five to ten minutes to show the skills before folks wandered off. I set upon a tactic. If some poor beggar that would be standing near the bench, when the allotted time came round, I would have a chat with them then ask them their name and set about tooling a piece of leather with their initial letter. That would keep a couple of people at the bench. I would manage to demonstrate the techniques and as I said before as soon as you started doing something a crowd would appear. We also had some people that bought the kits because they had come that purpose in mind then I would show them a few basic techniques. It seemed to work well. I was encouraged when folks asked when the next demo would be and actually turned up at the agreed time.  

    We sold quite a few sheath kits and several tooling kits. I was able to press Diamond Awl. I did a few on the spot jobs, a hole in a belt and stitch or two in gun case. The jobs covered my lunch. I picked up a small bespoke job along the way. I was surprised how many of my business cards disappeared from my bench. I hope those folks are reading this post and drop me a line with a job.

   The time passed quite quickly. As I mentioned we were in the Knife tent. There were six stall holders selling knives of one sort or another. They covered the breath of the market. A couple of chaps from London were selling Indian made Damascus steel blade in a bowie or Indian style. Another chaps sold skinning knives. Another sold all kinds of blades from lock knives to collector bowie knives and a chap from Preston was selling fixed blade knives he had made. They were beautiful. He started with a steel bar, cut it to shape, ground it, polished it and made a handle. If I have more than £140 spare I am having one. The only trouble with him was that he makes his own sheaths for relaxation. He make really nice sheaths.....bugger.

   The weather on Sunday was a bit iffy. I had a lie in but was at the event by 7.15am. The gates for exhibitors closed at 7.30 as the event opened at 8am. 8am came and a flush of people came through. The early bird and all that. I had a nice chat with a young farmer and his girl. 8am really was a lie-in for him. I did not get his name but I wish him well. It was steady all day but quieter than Saturday. Rain was forecast and at 4pm will got a hours worth of downpour. The game was declared and will all started to pack up.

   I managed to do some market researc on my tack. In essence folks really liked it and most of them understood the cost but the reality was that the stuff from the Middle and Far East made in webbing was easy to look after, just chuck it inthe washer, and was cheap. The same old story really. My only let down was not getting to the chap that was selling Pith helmets in time. He was rained off early....doh!  
 
        

Events for September

  It has been a couple of very busy weeks. My holiday did not really materialise as I had to intervene to make sure a certain job got finished and delivered. I suppose that is the leather workers lot. I have had interesting conversation with several people about collaborations. I cannot say anything about them in case I jinx it.

   I went to vintage fair on the 26th. I met a very interesting fellow and picked up a few of lovely objects to embellish one of my current work in progress. I should have that piece completed this week along with the two repair jobs sitting on my work bench.

   I am just in the process of arranging a joint outing with a leather supplier to the Midland Game Fair which is to be held Weston Park on the weekend of the 14/15th September. Click HERE for the event website. I will be doing demonstrations of leather carving and stitching in conjunction with The Identity Store. Click HERE for their website.

Gate Post versus Knee Roll

  I got a call from a local equine supplier [tack shop to you and me]. A lady had brought in her saddle. She has failed to negotiate a gateway and walloped her knee on the gate post. Luckily the gate post was unharmed in the incident but the rider and saddle were not so lucky. The rider is sporting a dislocated knee. That's going to smart for a while. The knee roll of the saddle is partly separated from the saddle flap.

 The job was to restitch the knee roll to the saddle flap. That is easy to type but not so easy to execute. First I examined the saddle and then the damage. The saddle was made in Sutton Scotney apparently by hand. It says so on the badge attached to the tree underneath the skirt. My idea of "by hand" and what I had in front of me are two different things. However after a cup of tea and a bit of thought I reconciled my issues. The saddle was machine stitched throughout. The stitching thread is nylon. There is no question that the saddle is robust. It looks like it has had a hard life. In a sense that is a good thing. It means the neddies [my term for horses or ponies of either sex] are getting ridden regularly. If I had a horse I would ride it everywhere. Perhaps not to London or Manchester but certainly in twenty mile radius of home. Returning to the damage on the saddle.....

The customer said the stitching had ripped. This was true in part. As I tidied up the stitch holes I found: A. the machine stitching and B. There was a 1 1/2 inches gash where the leather had ripped. The funny thing was that the loops of the stitching was still in place. It took a few minutes to clean the area of thread and figure out a plan to repair the stitching. Tea always comes in handy at this point.

   I figured there was nothing I could do to repair the ripped saddle flap. The customer was not going to buy a new saddle on account of this damage. I guessed I would be able to piece together the seam between the knee roll and saddle flap and restitch the seam using the existing stitch holes. When the stitching got as far as the rip I decided the stitch line would have a detour. I would take the stitch line inside the rip so the new stitching would be still provide support in joining the two piece of leather together although looking a light asymmetric. Symmetry would mean a new saddle and we knew that was not an option.

   I decide to do the easy bit would be restitch the upper stitch line first. My rationale was that the leather and holes were not damaged. Also that in securing the upper line it would hold the piece in place whilst I tackled the lower stitch line and the rip area. The first five inches were easy enough. The saddle flap was errr....flapped back and forth at give access for the needles to execute saddle stitch. I started the stitching over the end of the machine stitching in order to secure the end of the machine stitched line. It got really tight as I approached the skirt and the big rivet that secures the saddle flap to the tree. The "D" ring of the martingale anchor also served to reduce access. The needles are about two inches long so that is the minimum space required to pass the needles to and fro. Once I got to the end the stitch line is was straight forward to turn the corner and make the three stitches down the start of the lower stitch line.

   I back stitched here partly to reinforce the seam at this point but also to start a new thread. My plan was to stitch along using the existing holes until one stitch before the rip. Take the stitching through 90 degrees for two stitches then another 90 degree turn to bring me parallel with the rip. I would stitch along parallel to the rip then do two more 90 degree turns to bring me back onto the original stitch line. This was a great plan except there was no room to work in. The detour stitch line line needed new holes. The leather is three thicknesses at this point and I had to be careful not the stab the existing saddle with the awl point. It is enough to say but making the twenty odd stitches to execute the detour took nearly and hour and a good deal effort. I probably did not help myself my doing the stitches at 16 to the inch. I figured many stitches would provide a secure repair. In hindsight that was probably overkill. Once I got back onto the original stitch line I was away again. I had plenty of room and difficult bit was behind me. I took the new stitching over the end of the old stitching to secure it. A couple of back stitches and the repair was complete. I cast eye over the rest of the saddle and found a small section of the welt on the knee roll had been opened up by the impact. I could not help myself and repaired that section. The access was good so it only took a few minutes. The customer drove a hard bargain on the cost of the repair so a baulked at cleaning the saddle and repairing the other areas of general wear.

      The repair closed the joint between knee roll and saddle flap to its original position. It also closed the rip. The top edge of the knee roll saw to that. I got the fine paint brush and the dark brown dye out. I carefully painted the inside edges of the rip with the dye. The inside of the leather was a lot lighter than the outside surface of the saddle leather which had weathered and had the patina of age. The dye toned down the contrast essentially making the repair disappear to the casual observer. What the owner of the saddle thinks remains to be seen. My customer, the tack shop, seem pleased with the repair.


   

Draycott in the Clay Summer Show

   Summer fairs are something of a lottery in the British summertime as the weather holds the key to the visitor numbers. The weather has been mixed in the week leading up to the show. I had committed to the show so I went. I was at the show ground at 10am, a nice civilised time of a Sunday morning, and was directed to my pitch. The avenue of trades was was laid at very well and the pitches were mire generously sized than other shows. My pitch was facing a roped off area. It was not until later did I find out that this where the tug-o-war competition was to be held.

   I said hello to my stall holder neighbours for the day. We all set out out stalls with one eye on the skys. I was ready by the appointed time and dropped my car off to the trades car park. The walk back to the stall was the most I saw of the show all day. 11 0'clock the gates opened and folks drifted in. The tug-o-war-ist organised themselves and commenced the competition. There was a lot of shouting and grunting as the competition wound its course. Apparently this event was part of an international tug-o-war league.

   Folks had their "leather" stories they wanted to share with me. Enquires were made and cards taken. That is part of what the show is about. A couple of people sought me out which bodes well. The Denna costume created lots comments. It quite surprising the range of ideas folks have about the piece. I dressed costume with my sword and buckler. One young lad must have come by to look at the sword a dozen times. With his Dad's permission I let the lad hold it. I showed him the "at ease" and "attention" positions. he could hardly hold it up. The sword is a basket guard cavalry sabre so it can only be carried and used in one hand. It turned out to be a bit heavy for him but it made his day all the same.

    About 2pm the sky became dark and the rain started to fall. A heavy drizzle to begin with and then it pelted down. Despite the rain the tractors and vintage cars had their parade. The heavy horse presentation were made but half hour of heavy rain and the show was effectively over. The Welsh man giving a demonstration of working dog using Eygptian running ducks in the main ring was entertaining but he could not save the show. The visitors ran for their cars. I just sat it out. The rain did abate but its dastardly work was done. I left the stall up to dry in the wind. In the end it went away dry.

   All packed away for 4pm. I took a trip to the beer tent for a pint and a sandwich. Then wandered down the far end of the beer tent where a steel band was playing. They played all day as backround music when there was no event in the main ring. They were great. Next door to the band but outside the beer tent was a toss the wool sack event. The game is simple, a hession sack is filled with wool. You have a pitch fork and there is a bar to throw the sack over. This look like a game for the locals. In truth, besides me, I think it was only the locals left. As the bar got higher the fancied players started to join the competition. Eventualy youth and bulk won the day. And that was my day out. A nice event spoiled by the weather.

Ash - Evil Dead 1

   I like to do costumes or at least part of them. The more under stated the better. A chap asks me if I would consider tackling the harness for the boomstick [shotgun] for the hero, "Ash" from the zombie classic Evil Dead 1. We don't have a lot to go on. We have clips from the movie and a resin cast figurine. The resin cast model turns out not to be that faithful to the film. It is in the spirit of the hero, Ashley J. Williams, but he production constraints probably had a hand in the sculpting. Having viewed many YouTube clips, reviewed many screen shots together with measurements of the replica props, the shotgun in particular and measurement of the customer a pattern emerged.
  

  All I had to do was find suitable brightwork [Buckles and rings], suitable leather and manufactuer a chainsaw toggle hook. Making the harness was just a case of careful measurement and strap making, finishing and stitching. The boot for the shotgun [boomstick] took some careful pattern making as the replica shotgun, a 1830 Eyatt Earp side by side shotgun is heavy and only comes in one size. The challenge was to make the shotgun boot the right shape relative to the customer and the shotgun. I think I pulled it off.  






The belt was
was not part of the brief but I thought the overall look demanded the extra work. I managed to find a very good match for the buckle based on the screen shot. The next special element was the chainsaw toggle hook. Ash loses a hand in film and replaces it with a chainsaw....as you do. He has a hook on the harness to grab the toggle on the pull starter. I managed to find suitable materials and a morning in the workshop left me with a good version of the hook. It fixes to the harness with a pair of Chicago screws.

   I like everything to be multi-purpose where ever I can arrange it without compromising the piece. In this piece I made the shotgun boot detactable. It took a little imagination to design the clips but the effort well worth the effort. The customer put in as much effort to the other elements of the costume and it shows. Once the harness was worn, the heat of the body and the weight of the boomstick as well as a slight alternation to the boot closure thongs brought the boomstick into the correct position on the back.




 


Ashley "Ash" J. Willaims - Evil Dead 1

The Milkman's Cash Bag

   I have just completed a very satisfying refurbishment. A chap saw me at the Ashby show and asked if I could fettle his cash bag. Not a offer you get everyday but more often than you might think! As a milkman or roundsman they get given a cash bag for collecting money from the customers. It is a classic design. It is very like the ones my Dad had when he was a bus conductor.

   In this bag the dividers for the pockets had perished and some the stitching was freying. The centre of the turnbuckle, the part that come throught he base plate to holds the flap shut, had disappeared. The job was to replace the dividers and if possible replace the turn buckle.
 

The first jobs was to split the stitching and clean up the seam edges. With the gussets out it was easy to clean the inside of the bag. Next a pattern was made from what remained of the now free dividers. Then I cut two new dividers from the English bridle leather that was on hand. The next stage was to sew a divider in. The divider had a gusset on each side that formed the pocket which gave three plys of leather to stitch through. The holes in the gusset where already pierced from the sewing when the bag was originaly made bu the new divider was not pierced. The bag was originally machined stitched so the holes were close together. I went round the bag's gusset saddle stitching using the old machine holes as a guide. The stitch holes in the gusset where not too badly corroded so the finish was better than I had expected.


    With one divider/gusset sets complete I just had to run round the second set. One has to be careful not to pinch or stretch the old leather to ensure it that it starts and ends properly onthe bag. It took a couple of hours of careful stitching to complete the job. I then took a look at the freyed stitches. I ripped out what was poor and restitched the offending areas. The last job required a turn buckle to ordered. As you might expect the new item and old item where incompatible. I stripped out the old turn buckle plate and replaced with the new item. The new turn buckle required rivetting to the bag rather than the old one which just had turn out sprags. It probably why the old turn buckle was missing. It was not up to the job. To finish the job a rubbed in a generous dose of Neatsfoot oil. It brought the old leather of the carcass and belt up a treat

     

Ashby Show

   Ashby Show [Click HERE for website] was a big deal for me. It was the first full scale agricultural show I had attended as a trade exhibitor. I had been on the other side of the counter many times. I had been fretting about the weather. For a week before the show the weather had been amazing, hot and sunny, just as a summer should be. I was concerned the weather might break on or before the show. I was at the show ground at 7am. It was grey and we, my fellow traders, felt a couple of spots of rain. We set up, optimistic that the weather gods would be kind to us. As the morning gave way to the afternoon the sun came on in full effect. It was glorious summer's day in England.

   The horse riding event were held early in the morning so they were pleased with the relative cool weather. It took me ages to get set up. As they say work expands into the time available. I usually get set up in 45 minutes at the market. It took me over an hour. My pitch was on the main avenue running between the public car park and the show ring. My stall neighbours was Lester who made horse inspired jewellery on one side and on the other side a pair of brothers, Geoff and Ben, who sold knives. All very complimentary trades. I like to think that was arranged by the show organisers. I was set up before the gates opened although there were some very early starters.

 

   I nipped off and got the bacon butty and a brew. I sat in my fold-up chair and ate them in peace for a few minutes. Just as I wiped the flour off my face the fun began. I was on my feet all day. There was a steady stream of browsers, questions, folks reminiscing about bygone skills, stories of lost loves and working in leather. One chap asked if I was mending things today. Yes was the answer. He whipped off his belt because it needed a rivet resetting. His missus was a bit put out at his actions but this happens to me all the time at the market. He was an interesting chap. I had a chat with the knife brothers. They asked about a sheath for a 14" butchers knife. So just for something to do I made them one. I knew if I started making something it would draw a crowd. The brothers were chuffed with the result. I let them have the sheath. Their knives need sheaths they are wickedly sharp.

  One chap was very interested in the stitching leather together. After a minute or two of disconnected questions I stopped him. I got two small pieces of leather and showed him the process; edge, mark, prick, stitch and burnish. He was fascinated. I gave him the piece and he went any way delighted with his "gift". I like an enthusiast.

   The Denna piece, on the dummy on the left of the stall, drew comments and enquiries all day. I even got one of the girls to try the gorget on. She was a LARPer [Live Action Role Player] so she liked dressing up. The table was arranged from left to right as re-enactors/costumes, tack, bags/cases, belts and the Cedar blocks on the end. At the back I had a couple of hides and on the left I had a belt lengths of hide. I don't make belts a spec. I like folks to pick the leather for the belt from the strips of hide. I think it adds something to buying a bespoke belt.

   Hazel came along to help me with the day. Hazel had sense to turn up a a civilised time. Hazel kept me going but did manage to see all of the show. I managed to see the car stand directly opposite me across the avenue and the quick scan over the vintage cars as I quickly walked to the loo and back.

   A number of familiar faces popped up on the other side of the counter. So a big thanks to them for the support. You know who you are. 

   Plenty of cards where taken and given out with a bit of luck commissions will arise from them. One chap, Ian, said he would see me the next afternoon, Monday. OK I though. 4pm Monday my phone goes off and it is Ian. He give me a commission, exactly as discussed. [Update the commission is completed]. I also went over to see the stunt rides but I just missed there show. I met them at their tent/stable/truck and had a good chat with them about tack and horses. I did just happen to have a few pieces of tack over my shoulder...as you do. It was a very full day. Hazel had brought some lunch but I did not get a break until 2pm and then had to eat on the run as folks were still coming by. I also met a very interesting fellow from the Hedgelayer's Society. 6pm came and a flurry of activity saw the camp disappear into its respective vehicles. It went away quicker than it came out.

   So that was Ashby show done. I got a few ideas, some of which I have already put into action, and met a bunch of decent folk. I even picked up a few quid.

A Little Commission

 
 
Not all commissions are big or expensive. This is a brow band for a pony. The customer wanted a simple black band but to a precise length. That I have done. Stitching at twelve picks the inch is murder.

Apron of all aprons

   I decide I should have an apron to work in, to stop my clothes getting grubby and to protect myself from the odd slip of the awl or knife. As usual it took me a while to decide on the design. After all this was to be for me rather than a customer. I had a piece of oiled calf hide earmarked for the body of the apron. Then it was just a question of how to secure it me whilst I worked.





I made a belt. I had a fancy Brass buckle set [buckle, keeper and belt tip] in stock. I used rivets and stitching to join the belt to the apron. Next I made a neck strap and just for the hell of it connected one end of the strap to the bib of the apron with a shield and a sam brown. On the other side of the bib I used an cast brass Eagle clasp.






   I am fussy about things hanging on my neck. That issue comes from a old motorbike injury...that's a whole other story. I made a bridle to sit on the neck strap. From the bridle a ran a strap down the back to a buckle and loop on the belt. That takes the pressure off my neck. I had a neat medieval centre bar buckle in stock to use on the back strap. Then to finish job I made a pocket on the bib for my pencil and split the front panel so I hold the clams between my knees.

Probably the most expensive apron in the world...but it looks good.

 

In retrospect I am not keen on the look of the bridle so I will probaly do that piece again.

Lead Rein

  It has been a busy week. The hours have just flown by. However I do have plenty to show for the hours spent this week. I more or less finished a Mord Sith costume, had a commission collected, made a halter for a  heavy horse, made a lead rein, sorted out someone that has been messing me about on Folksy, tweaked a costume I am delivering in a week or so. And I have chatted to lots and lots of people on facebook and elsewhere. So it has been very positive. Next week I will have to very organised and nothing must go wrong so that everything is done and ready for the market and country show next weekend. I foresee early mornings and late nights all next week. If it is all not ready by Friday we will just have to "run what we brung".

   I like the lead rein I have made. It will compliment the halter I made. You could just as easily use it as a dog lead. The leather is English bridle leather. This leather is great to work with but does take some extra effort. However it fairly glows when the job is done. The strap billet starts 1" [25mm] wide. It cut it length ways into three strands. Then the fiddly bit, to dye and burnish the edges of the strands. Very hot work on a hot day. Next the strands were plaited making sure the strands lay flat. It is a good job I have strong fingers as this was a power job to bend the stands required by the plait. The clams came in handy to hold the free ends of the plait whilst I secured them with some stitches. It was a bit ticklish to line up the handle loop around the free plait ends in readiness for stitching, but I got there. Thereafter it was plain sailing to stitch the handle loop on and then on the other end of the rein to stitch the lead chain on.

   The plaiting makes for a supple and shock absorbing connection between the animal and the handler. Where the strap is still a billet the leather is stiff and strong. The overall length of the rein is 32" [800mm]. About half leather and half brass. The brass has twisted links so that it lies flat, a swivel at the the rein end and a Walsall hook on the business end.
   

Mord Sith - Mistress Denna

   I have had this costume in mind for ages since my brother-in-law mentioned that one of his acquaintances was considering the character Denna from the TV series "Legend of the Seeker" as a cosplay. I found a suitable piece of leather before last Christmas. I just did not have all the elements, which included time, to make a start.

 I had made several maquettes of the "armour" but in the end went with a version that was not a direct copy of the TV character. For one thing I was not making this piece as a commission so did not have a person to work to. And for another thing the pattern within the leather is so nice it seemed a same the cut into it and overlay the front and back plackart [waist element] with wide belts.

  The plackart, to use a medieval armourer's term, which is the element like a corset or thick belt was reasonably straightforward to do. Contouring the side pieces was a bit tricky without a live torso to work to. The two placket side pieces are laced to the back element. The front element is laced on one side and buckled on the other. This mimics accents on the character's costume. I chose to use differing styles of buckles just for the heck of it. There is a more prosaic reason for the lacing on both the gorget and placket which is the costume can be adjusted to the wearer.  On the TV character the gorget is much more lose. The leather is 3mm cow hide but it has been worked to a supple finish so it should be easy to wear.

   Maquettes made, torn up, re-worked and finalised I laid them on the hide to minimise the wastage but also to get the nicest pieces of hide into the large flat areas. I also wanted to get the soft edge of the hide for the neck of the gorget. I had several belts to cut from the hide so had to make sure there was length left after the body parts were cut. Measure twice, cut once was a mantra I was always taught however measure ten times and cut once is much more careful especially since the time for a replace hide of this price and quality would mean I probably would not attempt the piece again. I drew round the patterns then, which a new blade in my knife, I very carefully cut out the pieces. I had to remember that elements of the gorget are left and right handed.


Cutting out done it was a mind sapping session of shaving and burnishing all the edges. Shaving rounds the edge and burnishing lays the fibres of the leather and brings the edge to a smooth finish. Just in case that was not enough I pin lined every piece and dyed the edges black. I think it gives a shadow effect the edges. It will probably make the placket and gorget standard out especially against a light coloured under suit.

    I tackled the assembly of the gorget first. This way just a matter the taping all the pieces of the gorget together on the dummy then working out where the punch holes would go for the lacing. I decided on the buckles on the shoulder to make dressing easier. Lacing was a pain for me and I imagine it would a trial for a cosplayer when dressing. I think the buckles look great and make dressing much less difficult. The lacing is in crosses rather than the chevrons of the original piece. The lacing could be re-threaded if the wearer wished. Cross threading is much more secure.

   The placket was a straightforward assembly. It was a bit of a juggle to hold the pieces whist the marking out was done.  Again for easy of dressing I used d-rings for the side lacing. I think the aiguilettes are a nice touch to finish the front lacing. The straps that terminal at the front are supposed to reach right around from the back plate, cutting through it and the side plate in several places. Again I diverged from the TV costume. The leather was too nicely figured to be cut and hidden by straps.

  





Just for architecture detail I brought the back the gorget and plackart together in a point. I intend to put a straps and buckle here to connect the two pieces. I figure the plackart with need some support.

   The costume has two belts. The front view shows that this one is a little long but when it is fitted for a wearer I shall finish the belt to the required fit. I am waiting on a metal fitting from the USA for the second strap. In the meantime the piece is for sale. We can tweak and adjust it if needs be.