THE FIRST CUTS HAVE BEEN MADE . . .

Well, Mr. Legendary Leather worked through his hesitations and has made the first cuts on the new project that Mr. Top Brass (from Arizona) has requested. This project will require some additional fabric additions and a few consultations, however Mr. Legendary Leather is confident. Even though this project is way out of his normal realm of crafting, he is willing to prove that it can be done!

OCCASSIONAL APPREHENSION WITH THE FIRST CUT . . .

Have you ever noticed that some creative projects come with such ease, it's like you've hit the lottery? Other projects turn out to be harder than you thought they would be, and you wonder why you even attempted such a journey? And yet another scenario is that you've got the ideas flowing, but you're not quite sure how to take that first step? Well, even Mr. Legendary Leather runs into this problem "once in a blue moon". Sometimes it's not so much the execution, but the valuable materials that you are working with that cause the apprehension. Mr. Legendary Leather ran into this problem when making his cowboy boot chaps (botas). The ideas were ready to explode like a volcano, but the latigo leather he would use for the project was not easily found and prevented him from comfortably making the "first cut". As you can see, he overcame his apprehension. The cowboy boot chaps (botas) came out wonderful and are highly praised.

Well, Mr. Legendary Leather finds himself in the same predicament. He has an elite customer requesting a very specific project done by Mr. Legendary Leather. Not only is this guy "top brass", but he has supplied the one-of-a-kind leather he would like used for his request. What makes the leather so special? Turns out that it is a vintage deerskin. Mr. Top Brass, from Arizona, shot this deer over 45 years ago and has kept the hide all these years. Now ladies, don't be so sad. I would be the first to be feeling meloncholy for the deer, however, this "deed" took place so long ago, we don't need to go there. This is one nice piece of deerskin. I can understand why Mr. Legendary Leather is so hesitant. Not only does he have to answer to Mr. Top Brass, but he wants this nice piece of leather to continue on in a specifically requested "new art form". Honor the beautiful animal who gave its life. I'll let you know if I see Mr. Legendary Leather "sweating bullets" over this project. If so, we'll just gather up them thar bullet casings and save them for a future project!

Is that a bullet hole I see smack-dab in the middle of the deerskin?

THE LAND OF KNIVES . . .

Oh my goodness! Have you ever seen so many knives in one place before? Well, Mr. Legendary Leather took his "wares" to the Cowboy Swapmeet held in front of Walker 47 at Hobby City yesterday. In the process, we found some old knife/sheath sets that Mr. Legendary Leather had crafted years ago. It was interesting to see his old primitive sheaths compared to his recently carved, western versions. They sure make for a wide variety of "personalities". The good thing for Mr. Legendary Leather's Etsy Shop fans, he will now make some of these knife/sheath sets available in his shop! You may also view them right here on his blog. He will be adding them to his long list of photos posted in his side bar . . . "happy perusing"!

This is just a "portion" of Mr. Legendary Leather's knife/sheath sets.

Do I see a . . . is that a . . . I do believe I see a coyote jaw in there!

Older primitive style knife sheath compared to most recent western style carved sheath.



THE BIG REVEAL . . .

Well, here it is . . . the big reveal! What was it that Mr. Legendary Leather was "a craftin' for them thar cowgirls?"

Yeeeeeehaaaaaw! Them thars is some mighty fine cowgirl cuffs!



Yup! That's what Mr. Legendary Leather has been working on. Did you see that one coming? Had you guessed correctly? Now that the project is finished, we're all "ooooooin' and aaaaaawin" around here on how cool they look. I think Mr. Legendary Leather has outdone himself on this one.

The permanent lacing and star snaps, complimented by the western carving, sure add a nice touch to this project. Any SASS competition shooting cowgirls out there need a pair of cuffs?

DETAILING . . . CHECK! DYE JOB . . . CHECK! ON TO THE LINING!

Mr. Legendary Leather has completed the detailing and the dye job. He has chosen to put a "lining" on this particular project and that is the next stage. For those of you who may not understand this concept, it simply means he will be using a thinner sheet of leather to finish off the back side of this project giving it a finer, finished look. This involves a little more work, but the result is a more polished looking handicraft. He will occassionally line some of his knife sheaths and holsters depending on the nature of the project.

Still no ideas as to what he's making for "them thar cowgirls"? I have a feeling his next blog posting will give you a better idea and most likely reveal the project. I think you're really going to be pleased with the "reveal".

With detailing and dye job complete, Mr. Legendary Leather prepares to add the lining (seen laying underneath the leather) to the back of the project.

This photo shows the wonderfully detailed relief of this project.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DETAILS . . .

Adding the details to a project involving carved leather is what draws an admirer into taking a closer look at a handmade piece that has caught his/her attention and ultimately "makes or breaks" the buyers urge to purchase a piece. Take a closer look at how Mr. Legendary Leather continues the detailing stage on his next project for the cowgirls . . .

The left hand side of the leather has yet to be detailed.

ANY GUESSES ON WHAT MR. LEGENDARY LEATHER IS MAKING?

In the last post, we saw the beginnings of Mr. Legendary Leather's new project which he claims will be "sumtin" for the cowgirls. We were able to see what the transferred pattern looked like on the leather, and were also able to see the first stages of the "cutting/carving" process. In these new pictures, we can see that Mr. Legendary Leather has finished the "cutting/carving" stage as well as sneaking in the "beveling" stage. He is now about to begin the next stage, which is "detailing". This gives you a good idea of what is involved in making a "carved" project with leather. There are definitely many stages to the whole process, but as you will soon be able to see, well worth the effort! Now, how many of you noticed that there are two identical pieces that Mr. Legendary Leather is working on for them thar cowgirls? This could be a huge clue as to what he may be making. Any guesses yet?

Transferring, cutting/carving, and beveling stages are done. Now on to the detailing.

Minor "details" are beginning to show.