That leather passport cover is very, very nice. I really like the darker stained leather & thread ~ it makes your design pop. You do you, and stay original. That’s where the heart of your creativity lives.
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Thanks Patina! Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always wanted to do my own thing.
I remember my first cross stitch kit, that came with a printed pattern and all the floss, etc. I didn’t follow the design, I changed it all. After that, I bought blank canvas material and made my own designs. That’s a fun hobby, too.
Once, I accompanied my mother to her pottery class, where they painted pre-molded greenware and fired it. The teacher came along and told me how to paint my covered dish and what colors to use…….as if I was going to listen to her! Lol, I did my own thing, of course!
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Amazing @Stracci! I can’t believe how you’ve taken off with this! I particularly love the little boxes. I think it’s time to open an Etsy shop!
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That’s a great idea OO. I would be a regular customer @Stracci.
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I 2nd that notion! @Stracci You’re a genuine natural at this!
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@Stracci Have you considered making belt buckles?
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@OrbitOrange @here4turquoise @Phoenix7
Thanks! Selling on the internet seems so daunting! I just really shy away from selling my work.
@fernwood To make a belt buckle you would need a buckle blank. Then you glue the tooled leather panel into it.
I’m just not a belt person. If I made one I would probably never wear it! I don’t like tucked-in shirts.
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I get what you mean. I do decorated sugar cookies, and everyone tells me I should sell them, but I really have no interest. Pleasing a customer is a whole different thing than doing it for yourself. Still, I think you should consider it! You are really talented and you might be surprised at how fun and rewarding it is. Plus, unlike sugar cookies, leatherwork can be listed after it’s actually made so the buyer knows exactly what they’re getting.
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And leather goods aren’t subject to the whims of one’s cravings. 
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BEAUTIFUL!
@Stracci - I am loving bearing witness to this journey of yours…and I so appreciate you being willing to let us all join you.
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Oooo yes, I support this notion! 
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Right! I have worked on commission in the past. Everyone was always really nice. It always worked out OK, but I can’t help worrying the whole time if the customer will like it!
But there was that one person who didn’t like the necklace I made for him. He is a fussy guy and I was sweating bullets…….
I had to re-do.
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Thanks Patches! I just started this whole thing in May. I still don’t know what I’m doing, to be honest …..
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I really do appreciate everyone’s opinion.
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I can see you taking on engraving one day. Likely a natural at that as well.
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But there was that one person who didn’t like the necklace I made for him. He is a fussy guy and I was sweating bullets…….
Well that guy is wrong and lame and you can tell him your internet friend said so.
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@OrbitOrange 
Thanks for your unwavering support!
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Another beautiful piece, @Stracci! 
I love the stamp work on the spine. 
Again, I really enjoy seeing your hand drawn designs. It would be really neat to compile these in a collection, as it’s an art form all its own. 
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Thanks @Ravenscry! I really have fun working on this stuff. I do keep all my old patterns in a folder just for reference. But I’d probably never repeat anything.
It’s a good cover for my gemstone book….
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Really sweet, @Stracci! Your work is evolving leaps and bounds with every new piece. Truly lovely!
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