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08-04-2007, 12:26 AM
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A Local Legend
Grand Forks, BC Canada
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,961
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Western Leather Carving
Don't know if this new forum is the right place for leather carving - seems I am the only one on WC doing any of this. In actual fact, I don't do this any more. All my carving tools, designs and materials were destroyed in a fire in 2003. We lost everything we owned - and just going into a bitter cold winter, too.
I apologize for the poor images - old pics, pre-digital, bad scans at the time, and all but two articles are elsewhere in the world now. I gave one to my mom and then got it back when she passed away, and the other was mine for my ranch photos, and which luckily was NOT at the ranch when it burned.
This is a new image (my mom's address book) which I entered in a competition in the Photography Forum (won a first place ribbon with it, too  ) My son found a few carving tools (stamps mostly, which I almost never used) in a second hand store and got them for me. The knife I lost in the fire was not a metal one - I had a wonderful set of porcelain blades for my carving knife - but these went well for the comp entry pic - the topic was "Hobbies" ...
These are old ones I did for clients ...
This one is a cover for a sketch/journal book, the rest are photo albums and address and day books
This is my ranch album with our brand on it ...
Guess that's enough for now ...  
Hope you enjoy them - I doubt very much I will ever be able to afford to replace all my tools and materials .... the designs I could do again The fire couldn't take THAT away from me!!!
Cheers,
Sue 
__________________
Nikon D70 with Nikkor 18-70mm, Nikkor 50mm, Sigma 105mm, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 28-300mm lenses and a doubler! Editing in CS2
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
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08-04-2007, 03:07 AM
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A WetCanvas! Patron Saint
Mesa, AZ
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,644
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Amazing work Sue, if this doesn't belong here then none of us do! I like that we have quite a range of mediums here in this forum. You have an awesome talent! Thanks for sharing these shots.
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08-04-2007, 11:47 AM
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A WC! Legend
Rural Puerto Rico where the chickens still cross the road
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,249
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Wonderful works, Sue! What a shame to have lost your tools... I especially enjoy this since I do woodcuts.
That first photo is definitely stunning! I hope you'll post your SW/W themed photos here.
Diane
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08-04-2007, 01:29 PM
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A WC! Legend
High Desert of Idaho
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 12,712
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Sue, these are awesome. I know how much work you put into each of the pieces. You have a great talent for this kind of work.
__________________
Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend, before we too into the dust descend.... Omar Khayyam
    
Stone Chief Studio_____________________________
Charissa
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08-04-2007, 03:37 PM
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A Local Legend
Elk Grove, CA
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,381
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Re: Western Leather Carving
I went through a phase of leather carving at one point in my crafting career. A very expensive hobby and one that takes a lot of time and care. Your work is quite lovely, adding beauty and grace to practical items.
Mikki
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Mikki Petersen 
"To Begin, Begin." - Wadsworth
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08-05-2007, 11:29 AM
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Veteran Member
Newcastle, OK
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 620
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Hi Sue. Absolutely beautiful work!!!
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08-06-2007, 10:45 PM
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WC! Guide
McKinney, Texas
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,627
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Re: Western Leather Carving
I agree. Wonderful work! Leather carving doesn't belong in a southwest forum? Absolutely it does.
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08-07-2007, 12:14 AM
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Enthusiast
Carson City
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Sue you have a terrific talent. These are great works of art and as western as you can get.
Congratulations on winning with your picture, your work is now immortalized.
Sorry about your loss of your mother, and of your ranch. I can see you poured a lot of time and love into your mothers address book.
Carol
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08-07-2007, 12:36 PM
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Enthusiast
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,378
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Wonderful work, Sue! I'm so sorry to hear you've lost so much. Eventually, maybe you'll accumulate tools and leather again. I haven't been back to WC for almost 6 months, and I was tickled to see this forum here (wasn't here when I left!). Your post helps inspire me to keep up my beginner attempts at leather work, so THANK YOU for posting here.
Hang in there!
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"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." -- John Ruskin
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08-09-2007, 10:42 PM
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WC! Guide
Chattanooga, TN
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,018
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Art is ART, no matter where it is posted. The creative talent you have is not lost, and tools can be replaced. Go for it!
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08-10-2007, 07:36 AM
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Senior Member
South of Ft. Worth TX
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 111
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Beautiful leather art! I'm a huge fan of carved leather (lifelong background with horses and special appreciation of hand made leather horse goods). So sorry to hear about your losses, but I'm glad you're here to share your talent with us!  |
08-11-2007, 12:01 AM
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Immortalized
Bastrop, Texas
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,530
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Re: Western Leather Carving
These are just beautiful. Kelowna is beautiful, too. I'm thinking golf, food, apples, ......... Hmmm.
Jo
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Jo - The New Texican (Winter in Texas, Summer in New Mexico)
My Web Page Jo Castillo Art Blog
I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns. --
Winston Churchill
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08-13-2007, 03:08 PM
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Veteran Member
Pecos, NM 87552
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 714
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Re: Western Leather Carving
beautiful work, I must say. I've worked in leather, making saddles and bridles, but not tooled as these are. So sorry to hear of the fire - that's the cruelest form of loss. I hope you can get back to it again in some form.
__________________
- Wendy
"It works 'cause I don't know any better."
Cicuye Studios
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08-20-2007, 10:16 PM
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Senior Member
Sierra Nevadas
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 256
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Re: Western Leather Carving
Hi Sue! Never say "never"!! If there's a will, there's always a way to rebuild your stock of tools!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work. I made my living in the leather biz for a few years back in the '70s. I sometimes wish I'd stuck with it. .. I wanted to start building and tooling saddles, but got sidetracked with 'life'. I sculpt in clay (time willing) these days... but still kick myself that when I walked away from a rotten relationship (my biz partner), of all the dumb things, I escaped without my tools!! My favorite swivel knife was ruby tipped. .. I loved it. *sigh*.
Anyway, your photos illustrate a love for your work. I hope you find a way to get back into it.
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08-21-2007, 02:26 AM
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A Local Legend
Grand Forks, BC Canada
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,961
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Re: Western Leather Carving
My goodness! Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.
I don't do any Southwestern/western art. Have never been to that area of the States. I do paint and draw, but not from your region.
Jo - Yes ... Kelowna ... golf, apples, sunshine and grapes and wine, too! If you ever get back up this way, you'll have to look me up
Playm - I have never seen or heard of a ruby tipped knife. Gotta look into that one!!!
Yogi - You carve leather?? Will you please post pics?
Cheers,
Sue
__________________
Nikon D70 with Nikkor 18-70mm, Nikkor 50mm, Sigma 105mm, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 28-300mm lenses and a doubler! Editing in CS2
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
Last edited by moccasin : 08-21-2007 at 02:29 AM.
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