Thursday, October 24, 2013

Leather Embossing/Debossing


Embossed/Debossed Leather sample

Earlier this week Eva Sherman posted week #43 of her "Year of Jewelry Projects". I have been a big fan of watching these mostly fold-formed pieces being created throughout the year, but something about this one really inspired me. I loved the organic texture on the refined rectangle shapes.


I immediately envisioned creating an embossed leather version, probably because I had just finished proofing the galleys of my new leather jewelry book and was enjoying perusing the book The Surface Texture Bible. In fact, I bought two of these books at my local book clearance store, so leave a comment below and I'll draw a name and send the second copy out as a prize!

Leave a comment below and
you may win this book!

The first thing that came to mind was a project I did with my daughter's kindergarten class in which we laid down wax colored string (also known as Bendaroos or Bendy Sticks) onto a wood frame and then did paper maiche over them. I mulled over gluing down string or using hot glue, but the wax string method seemed the least messy, the most flexible and was a technique I was familiar with.

My poor kids. They are getting used to hearing, "Hey everyone, put on your shoes, we are running up to Michael's." So off we went, and although no longer carried at Michaels, the wax string was found at the adjacent party store.

A step-by-step of how I created the embossed/debossed leather (can't decide which it is technically) is below. I had intended to cut the leather into rectangles, paint them and connect them together in the same fashion as Eva's piece. However, I found that I am really drawn to this piece of leather and its texture and am going to sit it aside and play with its use in my brain for a while.

1. Lay the waxed string across the backside of a piece of 2-4 ounce vegetable tanned leather. Press firmly to keep the string in place.


2. Paint 1/4 of the leather and strings with a thin coat of leather glue, I prefer Tandy's Leather Weld. Lay a 1 ounce piece of leather over the strings, backside down, and use a wet paper towel to gently press the leather down, wetting it so it becomes flexible and defining the outlines of the string at the same time.

3. Use dapping punches, chasing tools or leather modeling tools to press the leather down into the recesses. You will need to go over the sections several times as the leather will keep pulling from its neighboring recesses as you stretch it. I found that pressing on both sides of the string helped stretch the leather evenly.


4. Glue and wet the next 1/4 section and repeat.



5. When I finally do a finished project, I will need to determine how I will deal with the cut edges. I will likely pull the leather up, trim the string and glue the leather back down flat. I'm also curious to see if the wax migrates to the surface of the leather and stains it. This will cause blemishes if I use a water-based dye or may prevent adhesion if I use an acrylic leather paint. I'll share the results when I get there!



I know I still owe you a post on how to create line art from paintings (see my last blog post). I recently took apart my etching tank for a good cleaning an once I get it back together I will get on it. It's a fun exercise and I look forward to sharing it.

Thanks for stopping by. Create Recklessly this weekend!

Melissa

PS - Stop by my daughter's new blog "Diary of a Cursed Brother" and see her new project. November is National Novel Writing Month and it is a great time to get writing!

23 comments:

  1. I just love how your mind works. You aren't afraid of diving in and seeing what kind of results you obtain. Thanks for all your inspiration

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  2. Interesting so far... won't the leather get very stiff? Its funny but I'm now in the process of using old suede/leather skirts to make boots !

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    2. Hi Nancy, it is stiff, mostly because of the thickness of the backing. The Leather Weld remains flexible. I wanted to cut it into squares so the stiffness was good for that. Would LOVE to see the boots. Share with us anyplace you will be posting them or perhaps consider writing a guest blog post for Create Recklessly!!

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  3. How cool are you! Your creativity is amazing! Thank you for sharing your journey!

    Angi Mullis dj2isme@aol.com

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  4. Thanks for the ideas! And I'd love to have this interesting looking book!

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    1. Good luck! I'll post the winner later this week.It is really a cool book filled with inspiring texture!

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  5. Thanks everyone! I'll draw a name for the book next week! : )

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  6. Love this idea. I have never heard of the wax strings. How do you think these would work to make a big texture sheet for ceramic clay? Any idea what other material you could use to capture the strings? I always enjoy the blog and hearing about the creative things you do. Keep it up.

    Sandee Butler woofmom2@aol.com

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    1. Ooooooo Sandee, cool idea! I bet it would work. Try it and share it with us!

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  7. So interesting! Leather is one of those things I've been wanting to play with and not finding the time... So much to try!

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    1. Too many mediums, so little time! Hope you get a chance to play with leather...it is really so much more forgiving that people realize.

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  8. My husband does leather work (Large tooled bags) and we've talked about doing a jewelry project together. This is a great idea.

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    1. Please be sure to share it with us when you do! Where can we see your husband's bags?

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  9. Very cool, I never thought of doing that with leather

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  10. What a cool idea for organic texture!

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    1. Thanks...I love organic texture...good luck in the drawing!

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  11. Your creativity never ceases to amaze me!! I love reading your blog :)

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    1. Thanks Joy! Can't wait until I get off my bum and send you this box on my desk so we can collaborate on something amazing!!

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  12. I wonder if waxed leather strings would work in place of the actual wax... did the wax come through? I know this is an old post, but I just found you - yay!!! Thanks.

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  13. Oops I see now from your previous post that they are actually what I asked about. I thought you were using wax like used for lost wax casting. LOL... sorry! :-/

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