Prototype whirligig

On July 5, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

I have had an idea twirling around in my head for a while about having a drop spindle combined with a wind spinner for when I’m walking and spinning. The idea is that the walk and wind will give a little more power to the spindle spin. I needed a material that was easy to work and light, so chose finished leather and cut it with my laser cutter.

Photo description: two leather halves of a wind spinner sewn together at the end of the tabs with waxed cord, dilute calico cat in the background

Photo description: finished spinner on a different calico cat, dilute calico in the background

Photo description: leather wind spinner installed on a drop spindle and used to spin some Romney wool, outside on a windy day, coop in the background

The cool thing is that this spinner only spins one direction when wind is blown across it, so it is easy to tell which direction I have been spinning, and suspended on freshly spun yarn, the wind absolutely spins it. Until the power in the twist in the yarn is greater than the push of the wind, which doesn’t take much. Hm. I have some ideas on how to improve the design. I’m hoping to have something working by fall when I can go out walking again. It is too blasted hot right now.

Throwback Thursday: cat cabinet

On July 2, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

In January 2018 we were still working on setting up the new-to-us house and I needed a place to feed Izzy the cat. We had a space in the corner of the master bedroom and the previous owners left a large old wood workbench with drawers on the back porch. I used the drawers as the structure for a cabinet, and cut sections of the workbench top for the cabinet top, bottom, and door.

Photo description: cabinet made from old workbench drawers

Photo description: inside of the cabinet, showing the open back

The door had a crack, so I used an old leather belt as strapping to reinforce it. It worked, because the door is still strong after 8 years.

Photo description: closeup of the leather strap showing the carving details from when it was a belt

Lame sheath

On June 27, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

My lame (a blade for cutting bread) has been living inside the original cheap cardboard box for a few years now. I finally made a new leather sheath for it!

Photo description: piece of laser cut finished leather, lame (without blade), and a tape ruler

Photo description: sheath stitched up using waxed nylon cord and a baseball stitch, lame with blade attached

The lame fits inside nicely with the blade. I don’t know if I want to make a lid for the open end, it’s not like I’m cutting sourdough on the go. I really just needed something to keep it safe in the drawer.

Photo description: open end of lame sheath with lame inside

I really like my laser cutter for the ability to make precise leather bespoke items.

Magic braid

On June 23, 2026June 20, 2026 By CarynIn Craft

I’ve been fascinated for years with the magic braid done with leather where both ends of the braid are uncut. I found a good tutorial that uses reclaimed leather, and I had to try it.

Photo description: two pieces of leather reclaimed from an old recliner and cut with a laser cutter, the one on the left has been braided, the one on the right has not

I did not make these into bracelets as in the tutorial, but into key chain fobs, by folding them in half and adding a clip.

Photo description: magic braid leather key fob

Military trunk

On June 2, 2026 By CarynIn repair

My Dad let me take his Army trunk on our last visit. I cleaned it up and did some minor repairs, because it is still in good condition.

Photo description: a misalignment with the closure on the trunk made it so the trunk didn’t close completely and the lock latch couldn’t close

The first thing I did was gently ease the metal edge back into place so the lock latch slid to the outside rather than hit the inside groove. I used a pair of smooth needle nose pliers so I didn’t scar the metal. The lock latch is missing the actual lock mechanism, but I don’t need to lock it, so I’ll leave it as is.

Photo description: trunk with the lock latch in place and the edge completely closed

I did remove my Dad’s social security number with some rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs, for security purposes. I left his name and rank because I want to remember that it is his. I wiped down the whole exterior with leather cleaner. I tried to polish the brass in a hidden spot, and it turned silver, so I stopped, deciding to leave the patina and the gold color.

Inside, I removed some old contact paper, which came out surprisingly well, with no residue, and cut some cedar liner to fit the bottom of the trunk.

Photo description: new cedar liner for the inside of the trunk

The main side handle had some stitching come loose.

Photo description: loose thread on the multilayer leather handle

I was able to find the end of the thread and sew the leather layers back together without having to disassemble the handle.

Photo description: leather handle with stitches restored

Critters and Craft

Tag: leather