Leatherworking

Leather Artists and Artisans - A short list of artists and artisans working in leather.

Leatherworking Journals and Associations - A short list of journals, publications and associations serving the leather and leatherworking interests.

Strings for Braiding Leather - Here is a general rule for determining the width and length of strings to be used in braiding or plaiting leather.

Burnishing the Edges - Here's the technique I've been using to burnish the edges on my vegetable tanned leather projects.

Conditioning and Preserving Leather - The natural oils in leather serve to lubricate the fibers and resist the penetration of water. These oils evaporate or are washed out over time and need to be replaced to keep the leather strong and supple.

Defects in Vegetable Tanned Leather - Here are some causes of visual defects and irregularities in vegetable tanned leather seen at the tannery.

Hardening leather - Hardening leather is fairly simple. Here are links to a couple of articles describing the process.

Identifying Leather - Here are some simple tips for identifying the tanning method used for a sample of leather.

Sewing Leather - A few sources of information on the tools and techniques used in hand and machine sewing leather.

Sources of Leather, Tools and Supplies - Here is a short list of sources of leather, leatherworking tools, and supplies

Where Leather Gets It's Strength - Contrary to popular belief, the top grain is not the strongest portion of the hide.

Leather Wardrobe Pulls - Lazy Daze Motorhomes have square plastic pulls or, on later models, rectangular ones glued on the mirrored doors of the wardrobe. At least in the Mid Bath models those doors are in a narrow hallway and the pulls can be quite annoying. I have a better idea. Leather straps.

iPod Touch Case - This is part 1 of the story of my development of a custom leather case for my iPod Touch.

iPod Touch Case - part 2 - This is part 2 of the story of my development of a custom leather case for my iPod Touch.

Traveler's Leather Kitchen Knife Roll - "X" commissioned me to design a Christmas present for "A" - she wanted to present him with a custom fitted leather knife roll for the favorite kitchen knives he travels with. Most knife rolls on the market do a lousy job of separating and protecting the blades from nicking one another and I wanted something better. Here's what I came up with.

Moleskine Notebook Case - Wanting a way to carry my Moleskine notebook together with a pencil, I laced up this little leather case.