Hello

This blog is a portfolio of sorts.
In it you will find past works from school and life.
It will also contain current works and ideas and on going projects.
Any works that are collaborations will provide links (when they are available) to the other parties website or blog.
If you're looking for a particular type of work try the search bar in the corner (ie soft goods or leather work, motorcycle etc...), or you can use the labels toolbar to your right.
If you see something you like please feel free to comment or contact me.
If you see anything you don't like, do the same.
Thank you for looking.

I am also available for commissions of any sort.
If you see a piece you like or if you'd like your own custom piece made please contact me.

metal work

 I don't know if you've ever been to Portland between the months of September and July but it kind of rains a lot here. And it rains for a long time too (as in about 6 or 7 months of rain plus 2 or 3 or 4 more months of un reliable weather). To combat cabin fever and to help myself not have a wet ass all the time I made some fenders.  I should say I made some fenders again. The last set of these got stolen, along with my bike in the early spring.  I'm still waiting to see my old bike go by so I can bulldog some one in the bike lane...Anyway, I had some copper left from the last time I made these.

Pretty simple to make.  I just had to draw a center line and wail on them for about 6  hours until they were roundish.  The first set took way longer.  The rear that I made last only actually took me about 2 hours start to finish. I'm starting to get the hang of stretching the material where I need to to get the curvature I need.

I just beat on the copper on a panel bag I made with some suede hide and some playground sand. They have a slightly dimpled look as I didn't feel like spending 12 more hours picking out all of the high and low spots to make them perfect.  I like the look, plus I'm hoping the indentations will help capture water and make them patina faster.
 And like always, no process photos, I'm always too busy making things to stop for documentation.

Wow

It's been a while since I posted anything on here.  I wish I could say it was for a good reason, like a world tour or even some jail time but...I've just been busy with work, life making things and above all just plain lazy.  So to the one or three of you who actually look at this (probably no-one now given the length of time it's been since my last post) I'm almost sorry.  Without further fanfare here are a few things I've done lately.

I made a pair of collars for some dogs.  They are made of latigo using only rivets for attaching articles, no stitches to fray or break when the dogs are out doing dog things.  I was presented with a challenge when making these and that was that one of the pair of dogs is apparently Satan and if she can get a hold of her dog friends collar end she will tug and tug on it.  Thus tightening and strangling her friend.  So here owners wanted the collar end to be somehow tug proof.

 After thinking on it for a little bit I made the end of the collar go back under the collar and lie against the dogs neck.  To keep it there I used a Sam Browne button.  Simple and safe.  And it's in line with the rest of the over and under interplay of the collar, which I like.

 Next (but actually before the collar) I made a tool for setting rivets.  I use a rivet that you hammer on to set.  I feel it's a more secure way to fasten rivets than the split rivets Tandy sells and it looks better as well.  The only problem is making them look nice and somewhat uniform through out a piece can be frustrating.  So I made this little gem out of some stainless steel bar.  I drilled one end out for setting the ring on the rivet shaft and the other end is domed for setting the actual rivet.  After that I milled off some of the sides so it wouldn't roll off my work station.

 Next is more of what you've seen before just some refinement in the process.

Key chains in a few colors

Card sleeve and front pocket card wallet with my mark on them

And here is a ladies belt that I've made a few of.  It can be worn at the waist or hips and is secured with a piece of ribbon, color of your choosing.  This makes it work with just about any outfit.
 That's it for now.  Since the monsoon season has returned I promise I'll post more now.
Also, if you like any of the items you see, or if you want something you don't see, get a hold of me.

-Dusty

Key clip

Key holders that snap to your belt so you can carry your keys outside of your pants and feel important.  They're constructed of latigo and brass hardware so they'll outlast whatever you're currently driving or riding.

 I made a bunch of these for the boys in Denver.  I've also sold a bunch here which is the blog of my friends in Denver (and a few other places).  These are also for sale here in Portland in a few stores along with some of my wallets.  If you'd like one or something similar contact me.

Front pocket/card wallet

I received a commission last week for a card wallet.  The fellow that ordered them wanted to wallet to be as thin as possible and to hold 3 cards per side.  After some paper modeling, a few emails and some quick/rough construction this is what I came up with.

 Once the dimensions of the pattern were worked out I cut out several wallets worth of leather in a few colors.  The pieces were then glued along the edges, that were later to be sewn, clamped and left over-night.

I then hand stitched the edges.  After sewing I trimmed, sanded and slicked all of the edges.  I only use waxed saddle thread as it's very durable.

Above lies a grip of wallets awaiting edge slicking.

An array of tools used on this project.

Iron

 Here are a few from a school project.  Ergonomics of the handle was the focus of the project.  We did some user testing and some focus group work.  A bit of refinement then went in the modeling process and made some looks like/feels like models.

I went through a number of users. Large/small.  Left/right handed.  They tested three of my models. The one with the most favorable overall feedback was the one chosen for the final model.

Of course several rounds of sketching went along with the user interviews and model making/testing sessions.

Postcards

 I'm often quite of enamored with the "old way" of doing things.  Usually this results in oily hands or an unmistakable smell of gasoline lingering about my person.  It also unfailingly leads me to learn things and have some small sense of personal satisfaction in what I've set out to do.  This project was no different (other than I didn't wind up smelling like gas) and is a result of my backwards way of thinking . That and of not getting anything in the mail but bills. 












 I remember the few postcards I got as a kid, how exciting it was to have mail from someone that just wanted to say hi.  So I made some cards from photos I have taken.  Sure I could just send a text or an email to a friend to say howdy but this makes it more fun.  I'm sure all of us get too much mail that's bills and not enough that's personal.












I just printed on cheap-o copy paper bonded the images to a heavier card stock and made a blender pen transfer sheet for my post card back that I whipped out in illustrator.  There you have it (quasi) instant post cards.  If you didn't get one of these and I know you email me your address.  If I don't know you and you want one email me your address and maybe I'll make up something fun and send you one...