LEATHER DESIGN
Here is a selection of my leather work that displays design transitioned onto leather. All these pieces are hand crafted (cut, dyed, sewed, etc.) by me. The size, shape, color, function and concept are predetermined with intent. I wanted to create something tangible…. something you hold in your hand that would last for a life time.
Trefot
Spirit, body and mind. I was inspired by the intricate wood carved facads found in the old Chicago Athletics Club building which is home to the Cherry Circle Room. I found the trefot which is in the center of the design in one of the most unsuspecting spots.
World Tree
My inspiration for this hex design was from a paper snowflake I cut out of paper. The design includes the Elgaz rune which forms the Hagall World Tree with the Gluckstern star in the center backed by the lucky 12 sided star.
Fehu Decor
This design is actually from a section of decorative wallet I created. I pulled a small section from the wallet design and enlarged it. This piece is an experiment with space and depth. I doubled up the leather and split the design up so it would have more depth than the standard tooled one piece.
2 Ravens
This is a piece depicting Odin’s two ravens in a minimalist style. This a layered piece which dictated the style of the design by the fabrication technique. I added the background wavy lines to give it a little movement and style that would enhance the raven focal point of the design. This is a smaller piece created with scrape wood and leather.
Web of Wyrd Wallet
Once I figured out a basic trucker wallet template for leather, I began to expand my tooling skills
to the outer cover. I took the Web of Wyrd and expanded the line work. I connected the design
to a duplicate which flows onto the back of
the wallet.
Thurisaz and Roses Leather Decor
This decor was an opportunity for me to tool the traditional rose found in many western floral leather designs. The Futhark rune Thurisaz, ideographically is represented as a hammer or a thorn from a branch. Together the concept and design presented a challenge for me.
I worked backwards this piece. I used a piece of scrap wood that decided the shape. This drove what I could design for that space which became the Thurisaz wrapped with roses.
Elhaz Protection Leather Hex
Inspired by the Pennsylvanian Dutch Barn Hex’s*, this protective piece incorporates the idea of a barn hex but with my own design style and medium.
The Elhaz rune means protection but it also represents the antlers of the elk. The antlers size in growth shows life.
The outer ring of the sun (Pennsylvanian Hex element), the Elhaz and antlers are all in unison with life. The sun sustains life and helps growth. The hunter takes the elk not to end life but to feed his tribe to sustain their life.
A protective piece for a good life and hunt.
*Barn Hex’s are traditionally painted on
wooden circles.
This hex is 14” in diameter.
Sol Invictus
Leather Decor
Unconquered Sun
Based upon the ancient Roman solar deity. I was inspired at the time of Victorian era floral design which can be seen in textiles, furniture, masonry and woodworking.
I wanted to capture that feel and look.
I decided to use a skull to represent the deity because a real face or depiction would be more like a character. I wanted more the essence of the diety. This piece measures 14” in diameter.
Web Of Wyrd Wallet II
A second version of the Web of Wyrd Wallet. Same concept but with a reversal of how the design is tooled on the leather. Initially this was an error on my part but it came out pretty clean and it went to good home. I did change up the color a little bit. Not every piece has to be an identical copy but they still capture the original idea.
Bull Sol Leather Decor
This design has ancient Grecian, Scandinavian with Pennsylvania Dutch symbolism all in one. Inspired by universal truths that can be found through out many cultures and time. This measures at 14” in diameter.
