The most expensive photo frame

   I figured that I should put some kind of note in the front window of the building that houses the studio. I sat down the other day with an A4 flyer I had created. I had an empty desk, a flyer and an idea. By lunchtime I had finished the frame. Then all I had to do was figure out how to hang it. A couple of rivets and some thong later and I was in business. If you add up the time and materials it has probably worked out to be the most expensive frame in the world. I had to give the window a bit of a scrub before hanging the "shingle" however here we have it.

 

An uncommonly good day out.

   After the heady excitement of Collectomania and the impending move into the new studio Hazel and I decided to have a little time together. Haze has been reading an excellent book called "Far from the sodding crowd" alternatively titled "More uncommonly British days out. It covers 45 uncommon days out in the UK. 

  


One of the days out was Papplewick Pumping Station which is half way between Nottingham and Mansfield. Click HERE for their website. The pumping station has a two majestic beam pumps in full working order. They were in steam the day we went.

You can roam round the engine room and get up close the working machinery. Equally as interesting is the boiler room that provide the steam for the engines. It has six Lancashire boilers! The whole station was constructed with the style, confidence and pride in Victorian municipal engineering.



 
  

 The station and environs have been lovingly restored to the height of its form glory. Just to make things perfect the local model boat club was running its models round the lake in the bright sunshine and the local model steam railway club were running rides behind miniture steam locomotive. On the day we were there you could take a tour round the the underground reservoir. Don't concern yourself it is dry as it is no longer used as a reservoir.

 

 
















    The station has a smithy which is run by David Gill. He is a farrier as well as a general Blacksmith. I had a long chat with him about his work and my work. We had a chat about his bellows too. Click HERE for David's website. When I was a just leaving school I fancied being a Farrier but 1970's Manchester did not have oppertunities a Farrier's apprentice.

  Don't tell everyone but I would recomend Papplewick Pumping Station for an uncommon day out. Check their website for the days it is in steam.

Collectomania Milton Keynes

  Collectomania at Milton Keynes was quite a day. Initially I had arranged to meet a chap at the event to discuss a piece but it turned into a day of much, much more. The MKG [Milton Keynes Garrison] let use their area to get changed and generally hang out with them for the day. A very decent bunch they are too. Thanks for the coffee Julia and Mark. Click HERE for the MKG website. The MKG have a stand for all three days of collectomania manning it with various Sci-fi characters; the ever popular Stormtroopers and Darth Vader, tribe of Klingons, imperial officers, Darth Maul and assorted Jedi Knights. If the next two days are as busy as today they will need wheelbarrows to move the collecting buckets.

  I took myself off for a stroll round the stadium. There was lots to see in terms of clubs and traders. I was not there to see the celebrities  Lots of people dressed up. All the ways from babies in prams in Ewoke costumes and a toddler in a pushchair dressed as Dewey from Family Guys complete with a big foam head, just to be clear the foam head was a prop not he kids natural state, through to grannies in Star Trek uniforms. I met a young lady wearing an outfit I have been trying and failing to make for some time. She was gracious enough to let me examine the costume. I hope I was discrete. I put faces to names I have "met" online. I even managed a quiet pint at the one of the bars. 

  It was also a good day for business with an order placed, several enquiries for pricing of pieces and new contacts made.

   Click HERE for the Collectomania at Milton Keynes website. Parking and admission is free. It was also a nice drive back along the iconic A5 in glorious sunshine.

Castle Donington Flyer

What it says on the flyer. See you there.

Another big step

   Today is another milestone for Diamaond Awl. I have shaken hands on a workshop in Ashby de la Zouch. It is just one big room that looks over Market Street. It even has a display case and a desk. I just have to move in!

Smart Belt

    I am very pleased with this belt. Partly because it turned out so well but also because it is repeat business. Thank you Mr and Mrs B. The leather for this belt is 3mm full grain shoulder. The buckle is cast by the last of the brass founder in midlands and perhaps the country. It is solid and heavy. The keeper is old stock I picked up on the my travels. It too weighs a ton. It looks very smart I think you will agree.

Shooting Stick

   You never know what you will be presented with at a market. This time it was a shooting stick that needed repairing.  This was more a refurbishment rather than a repair. I knew I had suitable leather back in the workshop. The customer and I agreed a price and the stick was put in the van for later. I had a bit of a think about the best way to rework the seat. The design came to me and I was away. Essentially the seat is a long piece of leather folded round bars on each of the folding wings of the stick to form a seat.

     As you can see in the picture above I stitched along the edges. Only part of the edge stitching secures the two sides of the turn over. The rest of the edge stitching is just a detail. Just to be super secure I stitched across the free end of the turn over too.

    I like to do an extra piece of detailing. Whilst doing a spot of research I discovered that the more expensive shooting sticks have a lash to keep them closed. It seemed like a good idea so this stick got one. It took a little bit of extra measuring as the popper base and the rivet to hold the lash had to be fixed before the seat was sewn in place. I think the lash adds a little something.

Cedar anti-moth blocks

Originally Posted 5/10/2013

   So my up-cycle items are cedar anit-moth blocks. The timber comes from a big old Cedar tree onthe Staunton Harold estate in Leicestershire. The tree was blown down in a gale a few years ago. The estate forester rescued the bole, cut it for seasoning and that is where I found it. 

   The leather suppends the block from a hanger or even the clothes rail in the wardrobe. When we used to make furniture from timber the side and bottom of the drawer, the liners, were make from Cedar. Cedar contains oil and aromatics that make the tree resistant to bugs and rot. This is why quality outdoor furniture is made from Cedar. I make my blocks 5x2x1 inch [125x50x25mm]. I made an assortment of sizes and in some cases left the bark on for a rustic finish.

                                      

  Being made from cedar wood, not only do they have a lovely aroma, they naturally repel moths too! Pop them in drawers or hang them in your wardrobe to help freshen and protect clothes. When their fragrance begins to wane, a light rubbing with sandpaper will refresh them.

Email me if you would like some.

Chain Maille

Originally Posted 3/28/2013

   Let me say straight away that I like chain maille. It is awkward to make, materials are hard to work with, it is labour intensive and demands full concentration. but for all that you can create some smashing things. I like the way maille hangs and the weight when you wear it. all I knew fo maille was Norman and Viking halberks and maille worn by knights. It turns out there is a whole host of options with maille, not least the decorative styles that make ropes.
   I fancied trying chain maille as a decorative element on my armour pieces. Having seen the cost of maille pieces at living history fairs and having had a sly lesson from the maille rings supplier at one of these fairs I figured it would be worth while having a go. Mr Internet came up trumps with several maille forums. I also founs a local suppliers for decorative maille. The heavy duty steel rings I have to get at fairs.




 I bought some big jump rings, to make it easy to begin with, a book and a few tools. I followed the rules I was taught at the fair and made a sheet of 4 in 1 chain maille in brass rings.





 

    Next I selected a pattern for a decorative chain. I purchased the materials and a did as I was told, for a change. The chain worked out very nicely. The bracelet turned out to be a bit long so a reduced the length. Instead of discarding the chain I had removed I lengthened it slightly then made another piece to match. I got a couple of Sterling silver ear hooks and what do you know, I have a pair of ear rings to match the bracelet.

    Now with a bit practise behind me a tried something else. I watched The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy recently, one ofthe characters is called Zaphod Beetlebrox, president of the universe or some such title. Onthe his hand he wears a chain maille cuuf. Thsi was an insiration to me. I took the chain maille sheet I made as a test piece, sewed the maille to a strap then removed rings until I had a point finishing on the middle finger. I just need a ring to secure the pointed end of the cuff to the finger and the piece is complete.

New venture in to costumes

Originally Posted 3/13/2013

   I had always had an interest in tailoring. My auntie used to run a business making Irish dancing dresses. My Mum used to make clothes for me and my brothers.  Mum used to make us jackets and trouser. I have come to understand how difficult it is to make proper jackets.
  I was due to go to the Spaceport event. I thought I should go to the event in some kind of costume. I figured that I should look different to the visitors. It turned out to be a good idea. But what should I wear? I decided that there was not time to make a proper Star Wars character costume. Part of the problem would be the need to join one of two groups appearing at the event. Part of the issue was also that the group would have to pass the costume.
   A Facebook “friend” lives in Hungary and makes a living as a shepherd and makes of period leather armour.  Again there was not enough time to do a full leather armour rig. Whilst researching Hungarian Steppes riders and discovered the Ciskos horsemen.  The idea formed of having baggy trousers, with my riding boots and paired with a shirt and a waistcoat. I did not think to try to and make a shirt and waistcoat. I bought them from an outlet in Birmingham. The trousers where going to be my piece. I got a pattern for culottes, zip, thread and hooks from the haberdashers. It took a while to pick some cloth for the trousers. I picked some really nice 100% fine woven wool.
   Once I understood the pattern I cut leg patterns from top to bottom. When I pinned the pattern to the cloth I left a 12” [300mm] gap between the two halves of the leg pattern. That introduced a great deal more material. After a couple of false starts, dead end and missing my way I ended up with a pair of legs and zip front. The next big job was painstaking but not difficult. I had to measure and pin the pleats. I arranged the pleats to run from the front centre towards the back seam. Big pins are a revelation. With it all pinned I sewed the pleats. After that making the deep waist band the fitting of it to the legs was surprisingly easy. In retrospect if I was not under a time pressure I could have done a neater job. Having said that the wool moves nicely which is helped by the yards of cloth, a bit like a kilt.
   I needed some leather to go into the costume. After all that is what I do. I had a look in the odds and end shelf and found a nice piece of leather. It was just about the right length and width. I made the belt just a small bit smaller than the trousers waist band. The belt is four inches wide with a two inch strap and buckle. I edged the leather to give it some subdued detailing.

   I thought that the belt was not enough. It had been said to me that medieval style purses would work in that genre. I thought let’s make a bigish medieval purse. I had a nice piece of soft black leather. I hemmed the top edge, folded the leather in half and sewed up the edges. That gave me a bag. My daughter was in town so I asked her to pick up some items to embellish the bag. I sewed on a stiff piece of leather to strengthen the back of the bag and provide an anchor for the belt hanger. I cut and the holes for the draw string and set the metal hole liners. I laced the holes. By this time my daughter was back. She had got me some tassels and Acrylic “stones”.  I glued the stones to the ends of the draw strings. I sewed a tassel into the bottom corner of the bag. I was also given three Acorn bells but what to do with them. I made a chain and attached one bell to the bottom of the chain. I then made two shorter chains and attached a bell to each chain. I attached the other end of the short chain part way along the main chain. I ended up with a cascade of jingle bells. The free end the long chain was attached, with double jump rings, to the draw string.

   I was a bit stumped on how I was going to suspend the bag if I was going wear it with deep belt.  The muse struck me. I had some hooks that were flat in section. I also had some decorative chain. The set two holes in the stiff leather I had reserved for the hanger. I then threaded the chain through the holes and using jump ring attached the hooks to the chain. The chained hooks were passed up behind the belt and hooked onto the top edge of the belt. When the bag is worn the chains and hooks are trapped between the belt and the body which makes it secure.

   The bells,tassels and draw strings weights gave the bag plenty of movement whenever I stepped about. The bag is essential when wearing the Ciskos trouser because they do not have pockets. I could see my wearing, what I would call, a drop leg bag or purse.

   When I tried my shirt on the sleeves were a bit long. I quickly made a pair of short strops to go round my biceps to keep the sleeves up. My costume was all black and silver/chrome. From the ground up I wore; tall leather riding boots, Ciskos trousers, Deep belt, drop leg purse, Balck shirt, arm straps and a heavy cotton waistcoat. It was suitably different but not obviously Star Wars. With a little application it could have been made be a Sith Lord. Perhaps another day!        

City Case

Originally Posted 1/30/2013

  I decided some time ago that I would like to make a bag to replace my briefcase. Folks don't cart around a big laptops anymore so something more discreet seems to be in order. It took me quite a while to decide the form of the case and the features. I knew a wanted the case to be fairly small and portrait in orientation. I also knew I want somewhere to store a phone, business cards, pens and a clip for keys. I had decided against external pockets. The case was always going to be black leather with chrome or at least shiny metal fittings. I knew I wanted a “Euro” or “Bauhaus” look to the case.
    The first thing to pin down was the dimensions. The biggest thing the case would hold was an Ipad. That set the height and width but what about the depth. I stacked up what I often carry and came up with a depth of 4inches [100mm]. My dimensions are set at 12 x 9 x inches [300x200x100mm]

     I decided very early on that I wanted a different way to connect the strap. I picked up a couple of bridle hooks some time ago. I decided I would us the hooks to attach the strap. The other thing was that with the hooks the strap would detach quickly and I could have a great deal of adjustment on the strap.
   I set about designing the internal layout with a view to the order of manufacture. I also wanted to try to use as few stitches as possible as they are visible on the outside face of the piece. I arranged for the fixing of the pen loops and key clip to provide the backing of the bridle hooks. The card and phone holders fitted to the back face of the case. These items needed making and finishing before they were fixed to the case. The next item and possibly the most difficult were to sew the long seams that would close the flat carcass into a box. It was as difficult as predicted since the inside face the box cannot be seen. Finding the stitch holes would not be easy. I got into a rhythm using the tip of the awl as a guide for my fingers to position the needle into the stitch hole from the inside. Patience and not rushing got the job done. Saddle stitching is helpful in this case because as the stitches lock the seam become stable and holds the work in the right position for subsequent stitches.

    The next tricky element was to cut the flap to size then fit the turn buckle. The turn buckle has to be fitted perfectly because it the statement piece on the front of the case and one slip here will ruin the whole piece. Full concentration saw the turn buckle fitted correctly. The case just needed all the edges burnishing. The leather the case is made from burnishes quickly which was just as well considering the amount of burnishing that going to be needed on the strap.
    The straps were straight forward enough. The short end had a Cavesson buckle fitted. The buckle is stainless steel. The long end was easier still but what it gave in easiness to make it took away in the amount of edge to burnish. The straps where embossed with a pin stripe to give the edge some detailing. The ends of the straps that where to attach to the bridle hooks where marked up to leave a short extension through the loop then had a couple of holes cut for the hook point. As an extra I made a shoulder pad to spread the load of the 1 inch [25mm] strap.

Essentially that was the job finished. I just need a couple of folio corners to add a little detail to the flap and then the piece really is complete.

Trends

Originaly Posted 1/13/2013

    It is odd how things go in trends. So I go to the farmer's market at Castle Donington, in November I mend a couple of bags and yesterday I took orders for belts. One chaps asks me to put a new buckle on a  belt. His grand kids bought him the belt a few years ago but the tougue of the buckle snapped. He picked out a buckle and brass keeper, put his cash down and arranged to pick it up at the next market. Another chaps comes up, we had a chat at the last market so nice to see him back, he has a buckle that was his Dad's but no belt. He chooses his leather. I measure him up and agree to post it when it is done. 

    I am beginning to collect a few faces. Chaps, because it chaps in the main that have been abandoned to their own devices whist she who must obeyed shops, drift over and have a nosey at what I am doing. I usually have a piece to work on to make use of the time at the market. It is surprising how many re-enctors and cosplayers there are in the world. This time it was Barry. He is a English Civil War chap. Another chap stopped by for a look at the tools I was using. The plough gauge was puzzling him and he wanted a some advice on how to clean a leather settee.

    Folks are interested in what I am doing as a curiosity but how to turn that into interest into cash? I will just have consider it advertising and marketing. It is nice to get out inthe fresh air for a few hours.

Ickle Red Rukki

Originally Posted 10/3/2012

I have finished my ickle red rukki. I picked up a nice piece of bright red veg tanned leather the other week. It was on odd shaped off-cut but it appealed to me. I had this idea floating round my head for a bag thing but worn like a rucksack or as a drop leg bag. I fancied long straps. I had seem the yoofs in the high street wearing long straped bags. So I thought "why not".
It was a bit tricky to design someting using limited leather. I went for a semi-circular profile just for a bit of interest not thinking the "lid" would cause an engineering problem. I quite like the look of bags where the stitching is on the outside edges. I figure that since the stitching is all hand done I should not hide it on internal seams.

The lid is semi-circular and I figured it needed a lip to close the edge between the lid and body of the bag. This meant joining the lid to the lip at right angels whilst following the curve the lid. A cross stitch was the answer. It is a modification of the lacing technique. It turn out well and decorative to boot. The shape of the curve and the thickness of the leather gives enough body for the lip to sit correctly and be robust in use.

I used my favorite sam brown studs to provide the adjust on the straps. As you can see the straps are thin. The strap detach completely so you can change the way the bag hangs. If you so inclined you can secure one of the strap around your waist connecting it to the top rectangle. Then use the other strap to go round your thigh. Very cosplay. Most peoples body ratios are twice the thigh equals the waist...give or take.

I might do a proper drop leg bag as seen on role player such as steam punk and cosplayers.

No1 Dress belt

Originally Posted 9/23/2012

   Whilst I was on holiday me and fragrant Mrs McD dropped in on a number of antique fairs and jumble sales. Mostly to get out of the rain but also onthe off chance we might turn up something interesting. At the place near Penrith I found a stall on the antique fair seling vintage tools. In the corner of a box was a heavy plastic belt. I dragged it and fond it was a uniform dress belt from a British Army unit. I still don't which unit it belongs too. I offerred the chap a tenner [£10 sterling]. He said ok and it was mine.

   All I really wanted was the buckle and the adjusters. The remainder of the belt acted as a template. Much to Mrs McD's digust I spent a whole evening with a cloth and a tin of Brasso cleaning up the dirty and tanished buckle and adjusters. I am not one for bulling brass but I have to admit the bright brass work looks good against the white leather.

   The flash behind the buckle is attached to one of the belt loop. The original belt loops where closed with rivets. I decided the fix the loops with Chicago screws. They made a nice clean job and quite a good way of working too. I have decide that this belt will form the basis of a Victorian styled webbing set. I just need to make a bayonet frog and cross straps. Somewhere along the line cartridge cases will be needed. I doubt I will make them from the 3mm I made the belt from. It will be just too heavy.

Infantry Cross Belts Circa 1780

Originally Posted 9/22/2012

    I made a cartridge case or cartouche some time ago. I figured I should have a set of cross belts to compliment the case. If your having a cross belt set you really need a Sabre to go with in. I picked up a scruffy re-pro sabre a few months ago and the leather. With everything available I sat down the make the set. The design is based on the uniform of the British Infantry about 1780. The cross belts carrying the cartouche and sabre and/or bayonet had been in use since the introduction of muskets and went out of use in the Victorian era, circa 1850 when the more scientific webbing was introduced.

    The  leather is 3mm white natural finished hide. The poor Infantryman would be required to keep the belts bright white using pipeclay. This set is not finished to that level just yet. The belt for the cartouche has narrowed strap ends in order to fit the buckles onthe bottom of the cartouche. The wide belt spreads the load of the heavy case which would be heavier still when filled paper, lead ball and powder cartridges. It quite simply make. Cut the belt to width and length then sow on the strap end.





  I am short of a buckle to secure the cross over point of the belts. Choosing a buckle is tricky as the buckle signified the unit.

  The baldric is a little more complicated. Depending on the unit or the decade Baldrics had different configurations. Some carried only a bayonet [Socket or plug types], other the sword bayonet [a dual purpose weapon] and yet others carried a sword and bayonet, typically a plug type bayonet. The version I have made is the sword and bayonet style. The bayonet frog has a small strap and buckle to secure the bayonet scabbard.

I picked the sabre up at a junk shop for pennies so you will have to excuse the item for not neccesarily being of the period.

Drum Sling

Originally Posted 9/16/2012

   I used to play in a church band as a kid. Last year I picked up a side drum cheap off Ebay. Finally I have got round to making a drum sling. I was going to use the usual Black or Brown shoulder. I decided that I would make the sling in white 3mm naturally finished leather. The leather has a natural knap rather than the highly polished finish more usually available.

   A chap I know does re-enacting of Victorian Infantry circa 1850. He wanted a bayonet frog. That got me thinking. I picked up a nice brass military buckle on holiday. So Buckle plus drum sling gives a belt to hang the frog from and to compliment the drum sling. Typically English 1850 Infantry were still wear redcoats and white webbing. The leather was pipeclayed to keep it white. The drum sling gives me the first part of the set.

"Gloria", the model in the picture, is petitie so the sling looks a little large. However the sling will fit folks from 5'8" like me to six footers. The buckle is not quite the right one for military purposes but I like it and this is a test piece for me.   

One Massive Catch up

   One masssive catch up. Here we have almost a years worth of posts from the old Diamond Awl website.

28.03.13 I have been a busy chap getting commissions ready from the last farmer's market and Spaceport. I have a little time to develop some new skills. See the blog entry on chain maille.


10.03.13 It was an early start to get the Seacombe, on the Wirral. I had not been to this sort of event before. The visitors were very interested in the Stars War props I took along. I can report Spaceport is a very interesting place. It even has a section of Wallace and Gromit replicas from "A Grand Day Out" for folks to climb on. It was a long day but I was made comfortable by the lads and lasses of the 99th Garrison and the Mint Imperials.
 










09.03.13 The farmer's market was a little quiet then it went mad all of a sudden. I took an order for a shoulder bag and finally sold a wrist bracer. The lady was very happy with the custom fit.
16.02.13 I have sorted out the blog so now I can add articles. It would be interesting to get some feedback. Also I have two events to go to in March. One the Castle Donington Farmer's Market and the other is Spaceport themed weekend. I am going to Spaceport just to show my wares rather than a market proper. The 99th Garrison and the Mint Imperials with be there as well as some of the actors that were inthe Star Wars Films.
   The Spaceport weekend is just a way of folk seeing my work but I hope it shows the visitors the lengths the players go to for authenticity. It won't hurt if folks ask me about what else I do. I am trying to put together a custume so I don't look to ordinary when surrounded by the troopers.


27.01.13 New entry in the blog. It is about the new City case I have just finished.


26.01.13 I am a clumsy oaf. I have damaged the portfolio area. I was uploading pictures for the latest bag. Here is a picture whilst I fix the gallery. The case has enough room for your city meeting essentials: Ipad or Nexus and holders for business card, mobile phone, your Mont Blanc pens and a clip for your keys. There no chance of anyone breaking this bag in anything like normal use. The corners are rivetted and the leather is heavy weight. Just to make it interesting instead of standard squares or D-rings to attach the strap I decided to use harness hooks. This a horse bridle technique. It has the side effect of making the strap super adjustable.

19.01.13 I have been working on chain maille to embelish the armour pieces I am developing. The bracelet was just a practice piece but it looks really good. It is heavy too! I might make some to order if asked. This one is 9inches [225mm] long. Have a look in Portfolio tag for a bigger picture.

14.01.13 The first of the farmer's market is done for this year. I was well dressed for the cold weather so the freezing weather did not bother me. I took a couple of orders for belts and got sone good feed back from the folks I did nthe Shire horse halter. More new goodies arrived inthe post during the week. Just having a practise working with them.

28.12.12 I have got the blog working again. No new posts as I just got it going a second ago. Computers eh!
 
28.12.12 The shop has to come down for a while. Email with your requests or requirements or just plain questions to me via the contact page..

08.12.12 It was bloomin' cold at Castle Donington Market. I was not in the sun this time.  There were lots of folks about and plenty of interest. I dressed the stall a bit differently. I think it was better. 

05.12.12 Just finished a satisfying job. A refurbishment of a halter for a shire horse. I had to make a new chin strap, repair broken stitching and generally clean, feed and polish the rig. I am used to ponies and the regular size of horse but these young Shires are something else.

02.12.12 Do not forget it is Castle Donnington farmer's market next Saturday between 9 and 1pm. It is a small but bustling market.  

01.12.12 Latest job is the repair and refurbishment of a halter for a Shire horse.

30.11.12 My latest commision, A Boba Fett ammo belt, has been received in Australia. Isn't the Internet a great thing.

15.11.12 Another commission out the door. Bracers this time for a Sith Lord.
11.11.12 Well..... the market stall went well. A morning sat in the sun with a bacon butty and tea having a chat to folks is never a bad thing. Have a look at the blog to find out what I thought about it. I made a very few bob for Movember.

07.11.12 This month has been renamed "Movember". It is about growing a moustashe to raise awareness and cash for Men's Health issues mainly prostrate cancer. Click HERE to go to my Mo bro pages and see what it is all about. A couple of us mo bros have joined together as a team. We call ourselvers the Moira Mo Bros. We are mo bros and we are for Moira. I am all for keeping it simple. Check out the website and give what you can, should you feel that way inclined. 

31.10.12 Its offical I shall be at the Castle Donington Farmer Market on 10th November. Click HERE for the markets website.
23.10.12 It has been a busy couple of days. Saturday I went to the Walsall Leather museum. Click HERE for  their website. Some interesting characters working at the museum. One chap had worked there 70 years. The museum is one tannery building that was saved from the 60's planners. Next it was up to Stockport to talk discuss the next developments for Star Wars characters. Then today was a make up day. I made a buch of wrist straps. Check the shop out for the individual items. I finish them to length and with a fastener of choice to order and all for £8.50 + p&p!
  










14.10.12 I went to the National Ploughing Championships in Whittinton today. There was a lot to see. H and I were mainly interested in the horse drawn ploughing. It was a splendid day. Not too hot, not too cold and a big blue sky for most of the day. I could not help but cast an eye over the the tack even if was supposed to be a day off.


13.10.12 I got did not attend the Apple Fair as a stall holder but I did go to meet the folks that run the event. I have agreed to go on the next market which is 10th November. I now know what I need to do and what I need to get before the event.

01.10.12  Enquiries are starting to drop in on a regular basis. Folks imaginations are great. I would not have though of doing any of these things. Got to keep busy producing. The Apple Fair is approaching.   

26.09.12 Finish a rather nice mini rikki. I saw a young lass sporting a small low slung rucsack the other day and light bulb went off in the my head.

21.09.12 A busy day in the workshop. Check out the blog for info on the cross belt set.

16.09.12 I finally made myself a drum sling for my tenor side drum. I was going to do a black one then thought "hold up", why not make a set.

 15.09.12 I have yet another order for E-11 blaster holsters. Just as well I got some new 3mm black shoulder in.
12.09.12 The new website went live this evening. This site loads more quickly and has a blog and shop. The blog and shop were hard to operate on the other providers platform. Have a browse round the site. The shop is live so feel free to order one or more of everything.
07.09.12 A new client has taken delivery of their repaired handbag and adjusted bag strap. Check out the blog and facebook for the details.
01.09.12 I have had a couple of rush orders for E-11 blaster holsters. Delivery made on time. Rob at RS a happy chap.
14.08.12 I back from holiday. Two weeks the English Lake district. I picked up loads of metal work and leather. On my way out I delivered commissions for two clients. One was a Star Wars E-11  holster. The other a Trader's Money Apron. Have a look in Portfolio/ Bags for the apron.
27.07.12 I dropped off my commission . It down very well. Look in portfolio/belts for the latst item, a watch strap. I picked up a new commission which I finished in double quick time. I deliver it tommorrow. I made some new  contacts at the Manchester Expo.  Some interesting thing are being to come out of the meetings.
21.07.12 This weekend is the comic-con expo in Machester. I hope to hook up with a few folks. I also have to drop off my completed commission pieces. As soon as they are dropped off I will post pictures on the Portfolio pages.
15.07.12 The Living History fair was washed out...doh! Went to the local country show intead. It was a lovely day out.
10.07.12 Check the gallery, FB and the blog  for pictures of pictures of Hazel's belt.
We are of to The Living History Fair this weekend. Check FB for details.
The shop is not ready yet but bank accounts and paypal are