If you'd prefer a plain black leaford lanyard...

[Belletrist]

Time: 10-15 mins

(Removed the necklace from it first to keep it out of the way.)


1. Using sandpaper and a LIGHT touch, gently remove most of the paint. Be careful not to sand over the silky thread that is used to lace up the side; pretty sure that'll not react well to being sanded.

2. When nothing but some white flecks remain, go over the entire thing several times with saddle soap and a damp rag.

3. If the leather is still 'wet,' blot it with a dry rag/paper towel, and massage a bit more saddle soap in until it no longer feels 'wet'.


if i was going to keep it this way, i'd prob mink oil it in a few hours. but i'm planning a custom paint job of my own. however given the number of people who said they'd be interested in a plain version, i thought i'd post this--if you've been holding back on ordering one cause you wanted plain, it's easy enough.

 

[Michelle43]

Oh but I love the handmade and hand painted by Nui in Thailand.

Plus I can't paint any better than a 2 year old.

 

[Belletrist]

*nod* i like the design that was on it but i'm a customizin' fool. & i know some of the guys said they'd like a plain option.

 

[CatMommy]

Thanks for the tip Belle. That seems easy enough. I appreciate the artwork of another, but the original design is just a bit too masculine for my taste...(I guess it's really not, it's just how I feel about it.)

Post pics of your finished project. I can't wait to see what you do.

 

[Belletrist]

taste is subjective--i think the design they come with is lovely, i just want something else. i will def post pics. i'll prob design something to coord. with my tatts.

 

[Belletrist]

*bump for chocopie*

 

[chocopie]

Thanks, Belle.

 

[falsedichotomies]

I definitely want to get a lanyard, but I don't want to spend $20 on one when I need to save my money for juice and carts.

Perchance you have any ideas on how to make one from scratch using house-hold materials? You seem pretty creative.

 

[Belletrist]

*nods* you could pretty easily make one, a simple one, using leather, heavy fabric (maybe a semi-stiff felt). basically, you'd want a rectangle which, folded in half, will encase the battery snugly while leaving room on the edges for stitching.

fold that rectangle in half, and then put in a few stitches along the bottom edge. slip the batt in and mark where the ash cap edges come so that you can cut/leather punch a vent hole on each side. then mark where the button for the manual is (in multiple sizes if you like). once that's done, you can stitch the other side.

if sewing isn't your thing (it shouldn't take many stitches or any fancy ones, tho) a heavy duty fabric glue will work on most fabrics, probably with leather too. once it's stitched you can cut the top corner (not where the stitching ends, the opposite corner) at a 45 degree angle to give it a 'neck' that makes it easier to slip the battery in.

if you don't have the equipment to cut/punch leather, you could use a lighter, breathable fabric which would allow air flow and let you 'feel' for the manual button, and avoid making vents/holes for button at all. if you use a lighter fabric though, you'll have to 1, make it a tighter fit (prob most easily accomplished with fabric glue) and 2, be certain to choose a fabric that won't fray or take measures to prevent it from fraying (like cut the rectangle larger, and 'hem' it with fabric glue around the cut edges, before proceeding).

 

[falsedichotomies]

Belletrist,

Thanks for this long, thought-out and detailed reply. I'm not that bad at sewing, but I don't have any leather fabrics or materials to punch holes in leather hanging around (and I do want to make it pretty sturdy, so I think leather is my best bet). Fortunately though, I have a friend is really crafty and I think I'm going to show her your post and she if she can guide me in any way. Who knows, maybe I will be able to comission her services for a battery and a couple of carts because I know that she smokes.

Then I'll get a lanyard and we'll all get a new friend. Anyway, thanks again, I appreciate the advice. Good luck with your own DIY customizations.

 

[LastOutlaw]

anyone tried lacquer thinner to remove the paint?

 

[Belletrist]

falsedichotomies, i have a few other ideas for diff types of lanyards, which i'll def post as i act on them. i do so love the crafty stuff (it's no reflection on the practicality of the leaford lanyard, which is excellent, no complaints!) myself. lastoutlaw, i answered you in another post, but no, i haven't tried it, i was worried about using a chemical like that drying out the leather.