New items and tools!

I recently bought the bezel block or bezel punch and I can't figure out exactly how to use it. It does round prong and bezel settings and the tool has apparently been used for centuries by Italian goldsmiths. Once I figure it out I will put up some step by step instructions. I need to step up the pace while making bezels and prong settings so I hope that this will work. As a birthday gift from Tanner :), I got the Bonny Doon Brake Backbar and the Brake Blade set for making custom square bezel settings for wall art and belt buckles (that's what I will be using it for maybe later boxes).

I can usually never think of birthday or Christmas (or valentine's day) gifts other than tools I want to try out but don't really need them in my work space. From my sister and mother I received a new iphone 4. Which I immediately went and made a Iphone case, it turned out so well that I am for going to sell a couple either on Etsy or at the Make It Production Shows. I will also do a couple ipad and laptop cases!

I cut and formed the leather, tooled it with a cross on the front and an image on the back, added a cross I had made from copper and a loop at the top to tie around the strap. I dyed it a deep chocolate brown that really looks great with the aged copper and hand stitched it. I have a tool that is really basic for doing the stitching holes in leather but instead of using that I measured out the hold quickly and used my flexshaft to VERY quickly add holes. I am going to add a strap and a lipgloss holder to the new ones! The photo was taken with my new iphone 4. I never thought I would say this about a cell phone but I love this phone and all its apps!!!

Also here are some new belt buckles that are a little more affordable. For Christmas I will be bringing out a bunch of under $100 belt buckles, many of which will have matching accessories (cufflinks, pendants, earrings, rinks, etc) The buckles are covered with resin which gives a light that appearance to be shining out from the copper! I will be putting up lots of the new work as I finish it including the simple wood working pieces for the back of my metal artwork the moment I am finished!