Art Deco Styled Wallet

Art Deco Styled Wallet

MATERIALS & TOOLS:

Petite Tooling Calf (9154-00)

Damascus Straight Trim Knife (35010-02)

Modeling Tools: (8039-02, 03, 04, 06)

Leather Weld (2655-01)

Disposable Applicator Brush (3442-00)

Eco-Flo Gel Antique: Mahogany (2607-06)

Mini-Punch Set (3003-00)

Glove Snaps: Nickel (1249-04)

Basic Snap Setter Set (8103-10)

Craftsman Contact Cement (2525-01) - (Optional)

Natural Tooling/Lining Pigskin (9100-00) - (Optional)

PATTERN: Art Deco Styled Wallet Pattern

Directions

Using the pattern, I made a cardboard template for future use. Place the template on the flesh side of the leather you are going to use for the wallet. Now trace around the template. Once you have the pattern transferred to the leather, cut the pattern out with a trim knife.

If you are using veg-tanned leather as I have for the wallet, lightly dampen (case) the entire piece, and then transfer your design to the grain side of the leather.

If you are going to use a swivel knife to cut the lines, be careful not to cut very deep, since the tooling calf is very thin. I just stuck with the modeling tools and used the “Repoussé” technique.

To “SET” the raised design, I have applied a coat of Leather Weld glue to the flesh side of the design and allowed it to dry. I would only do this if you are planning on lining the project.

It is coloring time! I colored this wallet using just the Eco-Flo Antique Gel—Mahogany. Just apply some over the entire surface, and wiped off the excess. Once dry, I buffed the surface with a small piece of sheep wool scrap. Finally, I sealed the surface with Super Shene.

Assembly

Once the project is dry punch a hole as marked on the flap portion of the pattern. Fold up the wallet (not to tight), and mark the spot where the snap hole lands on the leather below where the male end of the snap will go. You will want to set the male part of the snap prior to installing a lining. When setting the glove snap use extra caution as not to strike to hard or the snap will cut through the leather.

If you are going to line your project as I have done here, you will need to flip the project over so the flesh side is up. Apply contact cement to the flesh side of wallet, and to the flesh side of your lining leather. The lining leather should be cut larger than your project, and trimmed, once the glue has dried. Carefully join the two pieces of the project, and trim with the trim knife evening up the edges. You could also add an edge dressing for a more professional look.

After you have added the lining, you will need to re-punch the hole on the flap for the female portion of the glove snap.

If you are up for a challenge, you can cover the top part of the snap with leather stained to match. Just take a small 1” piece of scrap from cutting out the project. You will need to “skive” the leather to about half the thickness—be careful. Apply contact cement to the flesh side of the leather and the top portion of the snap cap. Once dry & tacky apply the leather to the snap folding the leather over to the back side, cut of the excess at the post. Continue to set the snap as normal.

Now you have an Art Deco Style Wallet that will hold bills (U.S. and Euros), and a credit card or two.

C. Davenport

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