Intentional Stones

Bookbinding Prep

Still working on the blanket of Doooom.  (wait, it seems like they're all the blanket of doom!)
Anyway, over the weekend, I got some preparation done for yet another project.  My first leather bound book.  I've added my resource, The A B C's of Leather Bookbinding to our booklist.

Here's a preview.
Paper medium weight, Flags for end papers, silver lettering and stickers

I have disassembled a thrift store black leather coat for the binding. It will take some piecing together, I might have to figure out how to age it up a bit, so it's not so shiny

I bought these materials for a project that I abandoned because it was taking WAY too long to find the time.  This week I'll look and see if I can find copies of Supreme Power, the comic I originally planned to bind.  Otherwise I'll make a highly patriotic journal for somebody.  I'm no good at creating original content.

Dream Catcher

So, I settled on trying a little work with leather today, something I have no experience with.

And the dreamcatcher turned out pretty nice!  I wanted to get some work done on a leather bound book, but I discovered that the state of my clutter wouldn't allow for getting very far on it today.  I'll post about that one next.

The dreamcatcher kit I found is not very traditional, but it's ok for something to play with.

yeah, I got rid of the plastic "turquoise" and the big belt buckle looking thing.

  I just followed the package directions- Use craft glue holds the suede on.

I added a little extra glue to keep it tight to the metal.
once the glue was dry, tie on the sinew and loop it around the frame at 6 points. 
ok, this sinew stuff is weird, it has an oily or waxy feel to it while you're working with it, leaving a residue on your hands.
Next, anchor to the center of each new web bit.  No knots are necessary after the first, I think because the sinew behaves like waxed thread (or vice versa), adhering to itself.  I left the loops kind of loose at first and went back and tightened it after the next row was done.  The oil/wax releases very nicely to allow for adjustment.      

all that's left next is to attach decoration- larks head knots attach extra strands of suede cord for a hanger (the kit came with a little fringe thing for the top) and strings for beads and feathers.

This was definitely fun to make.  I think I'll make more of them.

And it's the first project I've actually completed in all my daily crafting.  I've been taking on longer and more complicated projects.  I plan to have them all completed by the end of the month.

-Simbelmyne