Alcohol ink and beeswax on leather???

Tim will probably pass out!  LOL!!!  But I wanted to do some leather tooling and didn't want to spend $10 on a bottle of leather ink, so here we go.....

First, I took a blank knife sheath and traced the design into it, then cut it out (now if you haven't done this, take a class first!)

After that I used my craftools to pound and hammer to give the whole thing lots of dimension and texture.  Took about 3 hours to do this one. But then, it's been 20 years since I've done much leather work.

Using a paintbrush, I painted alcohol inks on the leaves and acorns to give it color.  Used 8 different colors of inks.  And then used caramel for the background and expresso to distress the edges.  I think it came out pretty cool.

I did not want a "new" look like they will show you on Tandy's website - I wanted it distressed.  You can click on these photos to get a closer look.

I think the distress look on the handle is exactly what I was going for - but notice the edges as well!

I normally use a Tandy product to seal my leather, but found online that you can use a mix of melted beeswax and olive oil to protect the leather.  I tell you what - I love it!  I painted the wax on to the leather and then set it with my Heat-it tool.  Totally cool!!!

This is a gift for my brother-in-law as I saw the one he made in high school is falling apart.  I like that it looks old, not new.....but that it's new, so it should last for years to come.

Who knew I'd be using Ranger products on leather?  What next?  LOL!!!

Night 3 - Eight Nights of Lights 2009

Night 3 is about storytelling. Hanukkah is about the Feast of Dedication - the rededication of the Temple. Have you ever built a model temple or tabernacle? Do you know how the tabernacle/temple and the traditions and riturals associated with it illustrate God's plan of salvation? It was in 164 BCE, the Maccabees recaptured the Temple and it was purified....rededicated.

Do you know the meaning behind the lampstand? Ex 25:31-40 actually gives a detailed exlaination of what it should look like. Hammered from 1 piece of gold, 4 1/2 feet high, weighting 100 pounds. It was to burn continually (Lev 24: 1-4). But it didn't! Each sacred vessel and vestment has been recreated by the Temple Institute and is ready for use in the 3rd Temple! WOW!!!

Several years ago, I tooled this lampstand in leather. It took me days to make - but learning what knops and flowers were - studying the design, researching (without the internet) was an education that's lasted me a lifetime!





I don't think any of the detail has worn the least bit and I probably made this at least 25 years ago.




So, tonight, I'm going to show you simple tooling methods - because if you design it in leather, it will last a lifetime.



Many people think of leather and think of flowered purses, gun holsters, etc. I like to think of it simply as another medium that I can play with. I make Jewish Immigrant Peddler dolls




and this is a very detailed box that they were required to wear to carry scripture in, the cord had to be wrapped 7 times around the arm and the box had to be facing the heart.



By simply applying water and stretching leather, you can shape it into almost anything.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." May you study and grow this Hanukkah season and may your lampstand always be lit.