Vegtable Tanned leather is very impressionable and laying the clear film over damp leather and tracing with a sharp point will leave the design behind. 

With new designs I do a trial tooling test to determine which tools will  be best for creationing the desired look. Here I was trying for realistic feathers. 

Short metal rods with ends that have different textures and shapes which leave inpressions in the leather when hit with a mallet.  

Using metal tooling tools and a polymer mallet I imprint texture and lines into the damp leather one tap at a time. This process can range from 30 mins to 30 hours depending  on the complexity of the artwork. 

A begining and finnished example of  tooling. 

Dyeing is the next step. Using alcholol based leather dyes I paint the background colors on to the leather with brushes. Useing dye as well as paint gives a richer range of colors and prolongs the color life of the piece. 

I add leather paint once the dye has dried. The paint adds contrast & vividness of color to the the dye work. Over time the dye mellows from the sun while paint retains its color.  The combination creates a beautiful effect. 

  After the piece has had time to cure it is coated in a Clear finish that  protects the dye and painting.

Here Is the artist hard at work dyeing a custom corset panel.

Assembing the piece comes next. This task can include making and attaching any straps, hardware, closures and or decorations that are required, then gluing, lacing or stitching, by hand or by machine. 

Hand Stitching requires needle, thread, glue, an awl, a stictching pony and a good amount of elbow grease. 

After assmebly all the edges need to be coated and slicked to give a smooth edge. Once the edges are completed and allowed to dry and cure I set up the photo booth and take display pictures. The piece is then ready to be invoiced, packed up and mailed to its new home. 

Occationally I enter my pieces into National Leather Competions which gives me a chance to stretch my skill and compete against other talented Artists.