Julia Watson, founder of JRW Leather, created two stunning projects that are perfect for any leathercraft level. Whether you're dressing up a phone or adding a flair to a hair clip, follow these step-by-step instructions to start crafting!

“Designing this hair clip and phone case was so much fun, having creative freedom knowing other makers may try it out in a project kit allowed me to make something I am proud of and have a great time doing it!” - Julia

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Instructions:

Phone Case

Step 1: Trace the interior part of your phone case on paper then transfer it to veg-tan and trace it out. (This pattern fits an iPhone Pro Max 16 or similar phone size - resize the pattern in printer settings for other phone sizes!)

Step 2: Follow your traced pattern as you begin to cut it out 

• Maker Tip! Cut it out slightly larger than your traced pattern so you can slowly cut it down to fit perfectly on your phone case!

Step 3: Wet your leather with an ample amount of water using either a sponge or a spray bottle. (User discretion just ensure it's wet enough to tool and not too wet where it becomes difficult)

Step 4: Place the tooling design on top of the leather and begin tracing the pattern with your stylus onto the leather. 

Step 5: Begin carving into the leather with your swivel knife. 

Step 6: Tape the back of your project with painter or masking tape to prevent it from widening or stretching out while you tool on it

Step 7: Tool the pattern using the following stamps in order:

1. Craftool® Ballpoint Stylus (SKU: 8059-00) QTY: 1
   
2. B935 Craftool® Stamp Beveler Smooth (SKU: 6935-00) QTY: 1
   
3. B203 Craftool® Stamp Beveler Smooth (SKU: 6203-01) QTY: 1
   
4. S631 Craftool® Stamp Seeder Smooth (SKU: 6631-00) QTY: 1 (use this for the spots!)
   
5. S931 Craftool® Stamp Seeder Smooth (SKU: 6931-00) QTY: 1 (use this for the spots!)
   
6. U58 Craftool® Stamp Mulefoot Serrated Pointed (SKU: 6858-00) QTY: 1
   
7. A098 Craftool® Stamp Background Teardrop Checked (SKU: 6098-00) QTY: 1
   
8. Add decorative cuts

Step 8: Use a #3 Edge Beveler to round the edges of your leather piece (just the grain side).

Step 9: Apply Tokonole to the edges of your leather piece and burnish the edges for a smooth finish.

Step 10: Oil both leather using a Round Sponge and Dr. Jackson's Pure Neatsfoot Oil. 

Step 11 (OPTIONAL): Paint the armadillo with the maul and opossum with the swivel knife with Angelus Paints to give your case an extra pop!

Step 12: Coat the phone case with Fiebing’s Pro-Resist. Let fully dry for at least 24
hours before moving forward.

Step 13: Coat the front of both straps with Fiebing's Antique Paste and wipe off any excess. Let dry for at least 24 hours.

Step 14: Add a coat of Fiebing’s Tan Kote to add a protective finish to the phone case. Allow this to fully dry before continuing.

Step 15: Using contact cement apply an ample amount to both the case and the flesh side of the leather (fuzzy side). Flip the phone case upside down and apply weight to the inside of the case and allow to set.

• Maker Tip! Scuff up the exterior of the phone case with a coarse piece of sandpaper to help the contact cement adhere better.

Hair Clip

Step 1: Trace the exterior part of your hair clip on paper then transfer it to veg-tan and trace it out. 

Step 2: Follow your traced pattern as you begin to cut it out.

• Maker Tip! Cut it out slightly larger than your traced pattern so you can slowly cut it down to fit perfectly on your hair clip!

Step 3 (OPTIONAL): Give this hair clip extra depth and follow the tooling steps above with the same tools. 

Step 4: Paint the your design with your choice of Angelus Paints to help your hair clip pop. Allow this to fully dry before continuing.

Step 5: Add a coat of Fiebing’s Tan Kote to add a protective finish to the hair clip. Allow this to dry before continuing.

Step 6: Use a #3 Edge Beveler to round the edges of your leather piece (just the grain side).

Step 7: Apply Tokonole to the edges of your leather piece and burnish the edges for a smooth finish.

Step 8: Using contact cement apply an ample amount to both the case and the flesh side of the leather (fuzzy side). Apply pressure to the hair clip with clips or other tools to allow the contact cement to set. (Be careful not to glue something to this while waiting!)

• Maker Tip! Scuff up the exterior of the hair clip with a coarse piece of sandpaper to help the contact cement adhere better.

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