another beginner

[smason]

Howdy,

I have just started engraving a couple weeks ago. here is a pair of earrings I recently made for practice. Please feel free to give any constructive criticism you may have, I have thick skin, you won't insult me.

My real job is a custom saddle maker. also attached are a couple photos of my saddle work.

Thanks for all the info on this site, it seems to be a real valuable resource.
Steve Mason [/ATTACH]

 

[Andrew Biggs]

Welcome aboard

I love the carved leatherwork!!!

The engraving is very nice. Just keep at it

Cheers
Andrew

 

[dimovengraving]

Hello smason

Beautiful work

 

[Dirtdigger]

Hi!
I really like both of them, leatherwork and earrings!
I have allways admired those carved saddles and i´ve done some leathercarving for motorcycles my self, but nothing as nice as your saddle.
Those earrings are really nice and simple looking design and as a newbie myself i can only admire your engraving work!

 

[JJ Roberts]

Steve,Your off to a good start keep us posted. J.J.

 

[mdengraver]

Great stuff, good design. Your very experienced and not a beginner. The only thing that has changed is your canvas from leather to metal. Looking forward to seeing more of your extraordinary work!

 

[don hicks]

Looks like your saddle work is going to be an asset as you delve into the engraving fun. Welcome to the forum.
Cheers
Don

 

[monk]

i like the earrings. esp the fact that they are both different. your cutting looks clean to me, and works well with the flowers. i'd say just keep at it, and have fun and earn some money doing it. if i owned a horse, i know the critter would love the saddle. just curious-- start to finish-- how many hours to complete such a gem ?

 

[silverchip]

Right on Steve, Good to see you here!!!!!

 

[TyG]

Good work on both Steve, the engraving is a natural progression from the Saddles, it will compliment your work well. Ty.

 

[KCSteve]

Your leatherwork background shows in the engraving - and it looks nice! We see similar things when tattooists take up engraving - a very interestingly different style.

 

[Beathard]

If stop working in copper. Sterling is cheap and sells much better.

 

[Haraga.com]

Steve, bring some sterling down and punch out a bunch of concho blanks sometime. Then you will have a supply to engrave for your saddles. Just think, no more waiting for the silver to start making the saddles now that you will be making your own silver.

 

[RDP]

Beautiful work on both, and welcome,

Richard.

 

[Marrinan]

Steve, As others have given you many compliments I will add mine. I will also add a critique: back cut-when the engraver enters the metal it does so at an angle leaving the beginning of the line tapered. In some places this is the desired effect like shading lines. In the out line the line should be bold and of full thickness from the beginning. The outside of your peddles need backcut so they go under the other peddle at full thickness.

I have a machinists toolbox full of leather tools. I made a supplemental income at leather tooling back in the erly seventies. Never reached your skill level but would recommend back cutting your border to close the small gaps on the border of the fenders as well. Very nice leatherwork. Better than anything I produced. Your design is outstanding and certainly worthy of recognition. Close those gaps in the border and watch for other areas where back cutting is require. An admire of your work Fred

 

[smason]

thanks everyone, I will keep you posted as I progress with the engraving.
Steve