Alright, here we go. Since I ran across a link to my very own website on Instructables.com about how pirates/sailors used to make dice and buttons and trinkets out of hard stale cheese, I decided to make some more "cheese" dice and buttons.
I used polymer clay for this project. I make dice that look like bone, wood, ivory, and CHEESE. Well, now I suppose I also make buttons.
They turned out pretty good. I was concerned about how the buttons might hold up, but they feel pretty solid. If you have any other thoughts for projects from the Age of Piracy or any other historical era, let me know.
If you are interested in the dice I will send you a set of 5 dice for 5 bucks...period. Shipping included.
The buttons for 50 cents each. Shipping can't be too much. I am constantly working on stuff so keep an eye out.
Also, very shortly I will have some hand-made jewelry on Etsy. My Etsy store is OurUniqueBoutique.
I took some pics, but they turned out rotten so I will gets some more tomorrow.
Posted on March 30, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Yes indeed, sailors would use nice hard cheese to create buttons or dice or simply carve up for fun. Who'da thought it? Well, apparently bored sailors. Cheese gets very hard given enough time. I imagine there were probably not the emulsifiers we use nowadays.
In an attempt to make items that could pass for authentic, I use polymer clay to make cheese dice. I was just over at Instructables Website and they were linked to my humble site. Well after reading the fun instructable, I thought to meself, "Self, we've made dice. P'raps we should try buttons." There y'go. A new project. I will make buttons that look like they were made of cheese.
Keep in mind, if you can think of a project you would like to see, let me know. I am always game for new projects. I will have pics up within a few days. Should take too long, however, with me schedule (and laziness) it may take a few days.
Thanks for the link and keep in touch. If'n yer droppin' by, drop a line to sagelionleather@gmail.com. I'd love t'hear from you.
Regards,
Captain Dunn, The Sage Lion
Posted on March 22, 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Just recently I was commissioned to make a cell phone case for an iPhone with a Mophie battery pack. The catch? I couldn't see the phone or where the cuts needed to be made for buttons, plugs, etc. So, the commissioner (and new friend) Jeff measured exactingly (and not so exactingly) and we ended up with a rough product. Now while it is complete, once I get my hands on it (thank goodness he doesn't live too far away) I will make some final tweaks.
Check it out at Jeff's blog at:
http://potentialisamuscle.blogspot.com/2009/09/wow.html
Drop him a line and tell him how awesome the case is. Very manly indeed.
I also received a commission from a pleasant young lady in New York. Kimberly wanted a leather wristband with a lion's head carved into it. Well, here is what I came up with. This is before dying, but I think it turned out pretty nifty.
Kimberly loved it and so did her boyfriend, the recipient of the wristband. I am personally thrilled. That is why I do the leather work for folks.
If you would like a custom something or other, drop me a line and we will see what I can come up with.
I am always in search of new projects. If there is something you think I might be interested in, drop me a line for that also. I love a challenge.
Posted on September 13, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I am finally putting these up on the website. I know I have been a bit
remiss about it, however, my non-virtual existence has been rather busy.
I
am now making leather goggles. These are perfect for Steampunk events,
Anime/Manga conventions, Comic Conventions, Biker rallies, World of
Warcraft
gatherings, Live Action
Role Playing (LARP) or any other event where a bad ass set of goggles would come in handy.
These are the pairs of goggles I have made and ready to ship now as they are. Each pair
is hand made and one of a kind. Some use buckles at the temples and some use Sam
Brown buttons. I am constantly thinking of different ways to strap
these on and if you have a particular preference or idea, I will be
happy to turn it into reality.
On
average, my goggles run 50 bucks. That may be a little higher depending
on whether you want any tooling on them. For example, I
have this pair with some pilot wings carved into the tops. Those would be 60 bucks.
I have been to Steampunk and other events and the standard goggles
seem to run about 100 dollars. Well, I am offering a one of a kind
option and I can personalize them (within reason) to your taste.
In
turn, if you send me a pair of lenses I will take 10% off of your
order. Most of my goggles are functional, though I don't know how safe
they
would be for actual driving; there is limited peripheral vision. But, you will look like an adventurer from the days.
Remember, I can also make wristbands, pouches, pocket watch
pouches, pipe stands and other assorted leather products. Take a look at my leather site at sagelionleather.com.
Actually, take a look at some of my leather pipe stands and my pocket watch pouches/cases.
The Pocket Watch Case was a custom order for a gentleman who has some watches at an antique shop. I designed the case and can place initials on them if you like. He liked the first one so much he ordered another.
There are some pipe stands that I created. These stand accommodate most pipes. One of the stands is a wristband that can be set down to hold your pipe when you are out and about. Once again, these can have initials or other designs carved into them.
Another nifty leather project I have is the Java Jacket. You go get your Starbucks or
whatever coffee you drink and they give you that crappy paper cup wrap. Why have that
when you can have your own, individual Java Jacket. The one shown was
made for my Pop and has the Zia on it. I can make very simple plain
ones or de elaborate designs. Different widths available. The cool
thing is that you can wear these as wristbands also. Take them with you
into your local
coffeeshop and slide your hot cup right in and wow everyone around
you. You will be
the envy of your beanery.
If you are interested in anything here, just let me know. Send me an e-mail to inquire.
Remember to check out my galleries for more pics of me leatherwork. If you have something in mind that I have not made, give me a shout out and perhaps I can make it. That is what happened with the pocket watch case and the Java Jacket.
Cheers,
Captain Dunn, The Sage Lion
Posted on May 07, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
All right!!!
So, I have finally taken a pic of some of the new leather projects I have undertaken.
First up, leather dice cups. These cups are approximately 4 inches tall and are perfect for Liar's Dice/Pirate's Dice. They are a nice thick leather with a couple qualities that make the perfect dice cups.
An inside lip does not allow for cheaters to slide their dice out. As the dice slide the inside lip gives them another bounce on the way out.
There are two pieces of leather in the bottom of the cup to allow for more of a bounce to your dice.
The cups can be made plain or can be customized. If you
have a pyrate group/guild that might be interested in more than a few I can cut the price down for ye.
Next, the dice that go in the cup. I make all me own dice. I make em look like they are made of bone, clay, cheese (sailors used to carve
hard cheese into buttons and dice) or I can do mixed colors for that funky pirate look as well.
I make em all by hand and they all roll just fine. If you would like some dice to cheat your friends with, I can make those also.
I am also producing maps on leather. These are thin and flexible leather with
the map images burned in. This means that even if they get wet or dirty, the image remains on the leather. You can weather your own map or I can weather it for you.
I base all my maps off of real historical maps of the regions. I take my maps from 1730 and before to make sure that they are accurate for the period.
If there is a particular map that you might be interested in, get hold of me. I
just made a map (a rather large map) for one of me Alliance mates of Siam.
I am still making leather trays and pouches and pipe stands (which I will putting pics up of later) and wristbands for those plastic bands at events (concerts, ren faires, etc.).
I have made a custom eye patch for a lovely lady named Suzette to give to her father Ted Roy. He was a Marine and lost sight in a motorcycle accident. Isn't Ted Roy a handsome bastard with that Semper Fi eye patch?
Don't be shy though. If you have a question or would like to order something, shoot me an e-mail. If it something I haven't done, I will give it a try. If it is beyond my means, I will refer you to someone else.
I enjoy doing this and am always coming across new projects.
I just made a custom tray for Liberte Sparrow, based on her tattoo. She was thrilled with the tray, which in turn thrills me.
Posted on May 06, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Okay, I have been doing a lot of things and have been remiss about updating my leather work page. I will remedy that soon. I have many new leather items that I am making. I am still doing custom work; in particular the leather trays. If you have a business or a guild or something that you collect, let me know and I can make a tray for you.
Recently, Liberte Sparrow, a pirate friend, had me make a tray for her out of her tattoo.
I will put up pics soon.
Thanks for your patience.
Regards,
The Sage Lion
Posted on May 01, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Although I haven't stated it anywhere, if anyone is looking for some sort of leather work done, feel free to send me an e-mail. I am always looking for new projects.
If I can't do it, I will let you know. Give it a shot. Of course the prices will depend of what you want done, but you know you will be getting a one of a kind item made just for you.
The leather trays can be made with your business logo or almost anything not too terribly intricate. The trays can be made to accommodate whatever size you need as well.
Captain Dunn
The Sage Lion
Posted on August 19, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
It all started about 10 or so years ago. I needed a sporran for my belted plaid for the local Renaissance faire. My options were to buy one, have one given to me or to make one. Since I am a tightwad and no one quite understands what to really buy me for a gift I ended up making a pouch for myself
I bought some small scrap leather pieces at a Tandy Leather store and took a look at the book, "So Your're Going to Wear the Kilt." In the back of the book there was a simple pattern for a sporran. Easy enough I thought. Well, it was easy enough...even though it looked nothing like the diagram.
I then decided to go for broke and make a pair of moccasin boots. Not good. This project turned out horrible. Nevertheless, I was inspired to learn more. As the years have gone on I have learned new techniques and learned about different types of leather.
With the help of George at DKG Leather, I have honed my tooling and carving. I am by no means a master crafter, but I like what I make. As a matter of fact, if I don't enjoy making it, I won't.
The leather pouches are based on historical woodcuts and/or manuscripts as much as
possible.
The leather tray design runs to whatever piques my interest. Mainly pirates (since I am one) to Middle Eastern/belly dance (since my wife dances) to old school tattoo/burlesque (since I like naked women) to whatever intrigues me.
Since I began, I have sold on e-bay and had custom orders for purses, and tankard straps. (Even did tankard straps for an entire wedding party).
The pipe stands and cuffs were mainly made for myself as I am a pipe smoker and needed a good stand.
There are many leather crafters out here on the World Wide Web and let me tell you, they are phenomenal. I am just doing my little part.
Each item is hand tooled, carved, stitched, cut and anything else. Most items are one of a kind. And each is made by me.
My overall goal is knowing that my pouches, trays, etc. are going to someone who will value them and will appreciate the effort put into them. If you have a questions, don't hesitate-send me an e-mail. If there is something you would like made, let me know and I will see what I can do.
Warning. Since all items are one of a kind, if you like it, inquire and buy it. I only tell you this based on my own experience and kicking myself later.
My goal is to continue working to improve my craft and hone my skills with my current skills. Hopefully you will go on account with me on this adventure.
Captain Dunn
The Sage Lion
Posted on July 06, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)