Bling My Leather

09/02/2025

Ventured out to Clifton today to the plaiting championships and whip cracking championships.

Great watching kids I think as young as 9 doing complex whip cracking competitions

The bullock whip cracking was even more spectacular to watch these youngsters handle such a long whip with ease.

Beautiful stock whips in the competition. A credit to their makers.

My first ever made kangaroo Stockwhip was entered. We didn’t place with that one but in the “other leatherwork” section I did manage to pick up 1st for my knife sheath and 2nd place for the turtle backpack.

Knife sheath was a project completed a week ago at a leatherwork conference/workshop.

Some great compliments were made on my all work and hand stitching.

Great to catch up old friends and make new ones in this amazing interest.

07/02/2025

The new major fixture for my leather room has arrived!!!

Introducing the Cowboy Bell Skiver with vacuum cupboard.

I even gave it a test run the other day.

Looking forward to what new projects I can do now.

04/02/2025

Plaited leads ready for posting.

Black/Grey- 8 strand
Tan/whisky - 4 strand.

30/01/2025

Dimensions in Leather workshop/conference done and dusted for 2025.

Instructor: Martin Caswell.
Knife: DB Blades
Leather:
front, back, inlay padding, welt and belt loop - 3.5mm vege tan
Inlay: ostrich leg
Inlay backing: 1.5mm vege tan
Front rolled edge: kangaroo
Total thickness: 12mm

Fully hand stitched.

23/01/2025

5 strand Braided belt finished.

Fully lined and hand stitched.

22/01/2025

Donatello is now finished.

Pattern - Paintyee Designs, Etsy.
Shell - Crazy Horse "petrol" from "Buy Leather Online" - Italy.
Body - Crazy Horse "tan" from "Packers Leather, Brisbane.
Gusset - Split 1.5mm Italian leather from Toowoomba Saddlery"
Fabric Lining - Something I had stashed in my material cupboard that I forgot I had.

I was hesitant to buy leather I have not seen from Italy. It is such a shame we do not have the range of colours and options here in Australia from our Australian tanneries. But, boy the quality of feel of this leather. Absolutely divine and cheaper (bought a whole hide at 2.3 sqm (25ft2) than what is available here - even with freight.

It has taken a lot of hours to hand stitch this one up. The only machine part is the fabric lining and stitching the lining to the strap pieces.

He even got a purple "bandana" - The zipper pull has an extended pull of purple plaited kangaroo lace.

09/01/2025

Braided belt in progress.

09/01/2025

Bling My Leather is now offering a select range of classes and workshops at Mount Mee, just a short drive north of Brisbane.

All tools and materials are provided as part of the workshop for you to make your very own unique and special gift for yourself of someone special.

I do not do leather tooling or stamping. If this is of interest to you, please contact me and I can point you to other facilitators in the greater Brisbane area who would be happy to assist you.

Classes are currently scheduled for two or three a month with the possibility of extending in the future.

Classes Include:

Plaiting classes
Basic Belt
Braided Belt
Knife or Tool Sheath
Marble Dying
Making a small item such as a coin purse or small clutch bag.
An assisted class to help you finish that project.

For more details or to book a workshop, please go to my webpage:

Bling My Leather is now offering a select range of classes and workshops at Mount Mee, just a short drive north of Brisbane.

08/01/2025

I am soon to have a new toy - Leather bell skiver.

Thank you Jess from Cowboy Industrial Sewing Machines & Leather Machines Australia

27/11/2024

Finished today.

Braided belt and show dog lead all ready for their new owners.

25/11/2024

Yesterday was belt strap cutting day.

Premium Italian belt leather

20 inch and a half (38mm)
10 inch and a quarter (32mm)

Do you need a new quality leather belt that will last ages?

Choice of stainless steel or solid brass buckles.

Plain leather belts $80
Braided leather belts $220

24/11/2024

A week of wet weather has been a productive week of leather crafting.

Moroccan Purple 6 strand leather lead ready to post
Duffle x bag
Cute little Woon - perfect for throwing those odds n ends in.

22/11/2024

The new website is now live.

New to the website:

New gallery pages containing examples of my work, leather colours, hardware and bead options.

Leatherwork classes - Have you ever wanted to get into leatherwork but don't know where to start? I am now offering select leatherwork classes starting December 2024 for plaiting, belt making, marble dying and coming in 2025 knife sheaths and small bag or coin purse.

Shop - You can order your belts, plaited dog lead or collar and securely pay with credit card or paypal. I also have other items for sale of work that I have completed.

Please go and check it out.

15/11/2024

Completed commissions this week.

I was asked to cover two copper bracelets - one is done as a long turk head knot, the other marble dyed.

5 show leads done as a breeder set.

07/11/2024

Whoo hoo...After a week of nearly pulling all my hair out. The basic framework is up on the new website.

I think this version is take 4 due to my earlier issues I think were user error in navigating a different plugin for wordpress.🤦‍♀️

There have been some long days sitting at the computer redesigning this website in wordpress. I have moved away from Square due to limits in functionality.

Still a ways to go and some tweaking to do, but finally I am feeling more comfortable about the very long hours spent.

The shop page is still yet to be written and configured.

31/10/2024

Bling My Leather is in Maleny today and tomorrow.

Big artisan market this weekend.

Come on up to the cool climes and check it out in the Community Centre.

30/10/2024

Bling My Leather will be at Maleny this Friday and Saturday at the Maleny Handmade & Artisan Markets Pre Christmas Festival.

I will have bags, leads, belts and other leatherwork items - all hand made by me. If you are in the area - drop in and say hello. More details about the festival can be found on the Queensland Artisan Festivals website

https://www.qafe.au

29/10/2024

Website Soon to be Offline:

To all my customers and followers - I am in the process of moving my website to a new provider.

While this takes place, my website will appear offline.

Please be patient while the new website is being created.