steveb leatherworks: the blather

It is alot of fun coming up with something that is a surprise gift. I think it really says alot about the gift-giver, thinking that far ahead, going through the added hassle of connecting with me (not that that is a bad thing, right?…right?) and working it out. It is alot easier to go to a store and buy a thing. It is much cooler when that thing is a custom thing, and that is special made, one of a kind thing!!

As it turns out , this very fancy belt was a special anniversary gift for Mr. Man, from Mrs. Man. we got Dark Brown Roman Numerals of significance. We got Red tribal flames, we got a bit of my urban chicken scratch graffiti font stuff going on in a natural flesh color and the coup de gras is the beautiful rare as a hens tooth, hand cast thistle bronze buckle with a celtic theme all around the front.

When this big banana wears in, it is really going to sing – as all the colors will mellow a bit. I lay dye on a little hot and bright, knowing that a few months of wear tones it down a bit…and friends,  that is the look i strive for…problem is if you start with that “o-so mellowed look”, in a few months, the colors look weak..and that just plain aint right, know what I mean?

Ya know, come to think of it – I wished more of my customers would send me pictures of their stuff after wear and tear…leather always looks better after its been spanked a bit… I know all my personal gear looks better with age, I suspect theirs does too!   Anyway, in response to the fading issue, i bump up the “chroma” good word huh?  knowing what will happen as you wear it.  More than you wanted to know, i know…. thanks for indulging me!

that is a great buckle, cast bronze, hand made

belts lend themselves to long thin graphics - something vertical like a roman numeral is tough, but it can be done

alot going on with this belt

flames, smooth and deeply carved

chicken scratch sub-urban graffitti