Alex
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ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Alex
@ayrecaivo.bsky.social
210 followers 400 following 130 posts
Married father of two minions, and also makes cool stuff with my hands, mostly leather work.

I play Nintendo Switch and some Steam games.

Love coins and rocks.
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ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Where I live, there was too much light pollution and cloud cover to see much; my phone saw more than I did.
November 13, 2025 at 12:28 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Put together another 4-card and cash billfold wallet; the inside is gold bear leather and the outside is chocolate bison leather, sewn on our old Pfaff glover machine.

#leather #haberdashery #wallet #mens #crafting
A chocolate-brown wallet with bold grain sits face-down on a plywood work table. A chocolate-brown 4-card and cash billfold lays face-up on a plywood table, showing off the bear leather card slots.
November 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
I think I figured out how to make the hat bands! The bubble-textured band on the right is 8-9 oz. bison, and the smoother-grained band is 5-6 oz. bison. They go from laying horizontal on the front to vertical at the back.

#art #leatherwork #hat #adventurer
November 1, 2025 at 4:22 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Happy Caturday from Tracy sporting a sweet leather hat!

#caturday
October 5, 2025 at 2:52 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
This is my fourth hat, made with sand oil tan and a stamped veg tan hatband.

#artfeed #leather #leathercraft #hat #haberdashery #widebrim #adventurer #handmade
Front three-quarter view of a wide-brimmed sand-colored hat. The hat band has thick scales and a draconian eye stamped into it. Underside view of a wide-brimmed sand-colored hat. A strip of black petersham lines the inside to save the wearer’s skin. Sleep-deprived craftsman modeling his wares.
September 16, 2025 at 3:28 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
It’s a bison leather hat! I have about 6 hours into this project.

#art #leather #hat #craft #widebrim
A 4-5 oz. reddish-brown bison leather wide-brim hat with a scale pattern stamp band at the bottom of the crown. A 4-5 oz. reddish-brown bison leather wide-brim hat with a scale pattern stamp band at the bottom of the crown. Some sleep-deprived 40-year-old dude wearing a 4-5 oz. reddish-brown bison leather wide-brim hat with a scale pattern stamp band at the bottom of the crown.
September 9, 2025 at 4:04 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Installed the petersham this morning. Progress is a little slow , but I have only the hat band left to make.

#hat #leather #wip
September 7, 2025 at 10:56 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Heh, heh, all riiiiight!
September 5, 2025 at 10:58 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Got the hat put together; next is the hat band and petersham. The brim just…does that.
A 4-5 ounce red/brown bison leather wide-brimmed hat Same hat, with a clamshell-lipped brim. It largely cooperates.
September 2, 2025 at 3:03 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Making a hat today to celebrate Labor Day (by spending labor on my own project); I’m using some leftover 4-5 oz. tobacco bison. Taking a break before I finish the brim tonight.

#handmade #leather #art #leathercraft #hat #outdoor #widebrim
September 1, 2025 at 11:13 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
It is nearly 100 degrees outside, and Tracy has the right idea.

#caturday #heatwave
A digital thermometer displays the time and indoor/outdoor temperature on a windowsill between glass vases and a glass plate of a red cardinal. Flat cat is flat.
August 24, 2025 at 10:07 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
I drafted this yesterday, and had the file stew overnight; I will check some areas of the back to ensure I designed it large enough. Accounting for the material thickness often gets overlooked when I’m in a groove.
CAD file of a trifold wallet displayed with a physical model below.
August 24, 2025 at 2:45 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Knocking off the rust with redrafting my old #trifold #wallet I had for 10 years, plus a few adjustments.

#AutoCAD is way different on the iPad than it is on the computer: I do not have the use of my other hand to operate either polar lock or tab, never mind using a pencil instead of a mouse.
Above a physical wallet is a model space CAD drawing of a similar piece, with a few notes to myself on how to construct it. I tend to design things as I would when building with Legos: start with the object to be held, like a precise drawing of a card, and build outward.
August 24, 2025 at 2:03 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Someone at Chiquita’s marketing department slipped this one past the censors.
August 17, 2025 at 2:42 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Leather craft is a groovy hobby! I’m saving some mojo for crafting tomorrow; until then, it’s an evening of rest.
A black chrome-tanned leather cylinder, somewhat resembling a thermos, large enough to house 8.5” by 11” papers—or a trio of sodas. A light yellow shoulder bag made with 6-7 oz. bison leather is displayed in a bush. Pieces bear large scars in the leather from when the animal was alive. Two throwing axe sheathes made from veg. tan leather, carved to resemble angry wolves. The left wolf is dark brown with a red mane; the right wolf is golden blond.
August 16, 2025 at 12:26 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Finished up this custom-ordered apothecary bag just before the weekend! Many adventures await!

#handmade #leather #bison #deer #crossbody #bag #apothecary #art #cosplay #stoner #weed
Pre-assembly pieces placed side-by-side for color comparison. The shell is 4-5 oz. chocolate bison, and interior is forest green deer with purple pockets. Inside look of the assembled bag, showing the dark green background and purple pockets. Outside look of the completed, dark brown bag. The grain of the leather shows up in contrast to smooth texture of the strap.
August 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Fabulous! 10/10.
A bird strike in built-up window dirt that shows much of a bird’s outline, from the farthest reaches of its wings to the full fanning of its tail feathers.
July 27, 2025 at 8:04 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Scroll tube version 2! I have three hours into construction, start to finish. I’m looking to offer these around the $90 mark.

#artfeed #ttrpg #d&d #leather #chrometanned #handmade #scroll #playmat #dice #cosplay
A black chrome tanned scroll tube, measuring three inches in diameter, and 12 inches tall, stands on its own. I applied a few lessons from the first scroll tube to this one, including a solid, 3-inch band riveted to the top edge, and a longer hand loop. The loop also works as a lock for the cap, so it won’t fall off and dump contents out if turned upside-down. To remove the cap, simply lower the dice cup band nearly to the open end, and it’ll slide right off; the cap can also be removed, and used as a dice cup. A black chrome tanned scroll tube, measuring three inches in diameter, and 12 inches tall, stands on its own. I applied a few lessons from the first scroll tube to this one, including a solid, 3-inch band riveted to the top edge, and a longer hand loop. The loop also works as a lock for the cap, so it won’t fall off and dump contents out if turned upside-down. To remove the cap, simply lower the dice cup band nearly to the open end, and it’ll slide right off; the cap can also be removed, and used as a dice cup. This picture shows the “lock” in action. A black chrome tanned scroll tube, measuring three inches in diameter, and 12 inches tall, stands on its own. I applied a few lessons from the first scroll tube to this one, including a solid, 3-inch band riveted to the top edge, and a longer hand loop. The loop also works as a lock for the cap, so it won’t fall off and dump contents out if turned upside-down. To remove the cap, simply lower the dice cup band nearly to the open end, and it’ll slide right off; the cap can also be removed, and used as a dice cup. Pictured here with the cap off.
July 26, 2025 at 11:25 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Posting this to show where it sits when worn. I find when these bags sit higher on the hip, they don’t move when I walk, which helps a lot when loaded down with one’s stash.
July 19, 2025 at 10:02 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Apothecary bag #8 done! I chose this particular hide because I love the metaphor of a medicine bag bearing a bunch of scars on the outside.

#leather #leatherwork #handmade #weedbag #stoner #artsandcrafts #art #artfeed #purse #designerbag #handicrafts #diy #sewing #handstiched #handsewn
A scarred crossbody bag made of 6-7 ounce champagne-colored bison leather sits in a sunny bush. The liner is a sky blue deer leather. A scarred crossbody bag made of 6-7 ounce champagne-colored bison leather sits in a sunny bush. The liner is a sky blue deer leather.
July 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Just an “almost there” wip of my apothecary bag #8, because I’m excited to share it, even if not quite done.

Note: the willow outside is 6-7 oz. bison hide from the thickest part of the animal.

Our old Pfaff said, “No sweat.”

That machine kicks butt.

#leatherwork #Pfaff #sewing
On the left: this old boy has seen some rough times with half-healed scars; the right is the inverted inside. Two short and taller pockets, still wide enough for a jar. Sewn on an old Pfaff walking foot machine.
July 18, 2025 at 2:36 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Apothecary bag #7 put together!
Got this one made last week, but I forgot to post it with—*gestures to everything*—all this going on. More in alt text!

#handmade #leather #natural #leatherwork #leathercraft #stoner #crossbody #shoulderbag #weed #420life #skunkbag #apothecary #medicine #manpurse
A leather shoulder bag, dubbed an apothecary (stoner) bag, made with 5-6 oz. oiled tobacco bison leather outside, black cow liner, and turquoise deer pocket pieces. The accent pieces are 3-4 oz. gold bear, and the strap is chestnut belting; hardware is black and gunmetal. The size of the bag is 7 inches tall, 4 inches wide, and 3 inches thick. It is designed to carry quite the stash, should one like the social aspect of prerolls, a quiet moment with some flower and glass, or even if it is just a tote to transport products from the store to home. A leather shoulder bag, dubbed an apothecary (stoner) bag, made with 5-6 oz. oiled tobacco bison leather outside, black cow liner, and turquoise deer pocket pieces. The accent pieces are 3-4 oz. gold bear, and the strap is chestnut belting; hardware is black and gunmetal. The size of the bag is 7 inches tall, 4 inches wide, and 3 inches thick. It is designed to carry quite the stash, should one like the social aspect of prerolls, a quiet moment with some flower and glass, or even if it is just a tote to transport products from the store to home. A leather shoulder bag, dubbed an apothecary (stoner) bag, made with 5-6 oz. oiled tobacco bison leather outside, black cow liner, and turquoise deer pocket pieces. The accent pieces are 3-4 oz. gold bear, and the strap is chestnut belting; hardware is black and gunmetal. The size of the bag is 7 inches tall, 4 inches wide, and 3 inches thick. It is designed to carry quite the stash, should one like the social aspect of prerolls, a quiet moment with some flower and glass, or even if it is just a tote to transport products from the store to home.
July 13, 2025 at 1:18 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
Mood, Tracy.
One of our cats, Tracy, flattened out on the back of a power recliner.
July 12, 2025 at 1:59 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
No thoughts; just Dick.

(Dick is his name; his sister is named Tracy.)

#caturday
June 29, 2025 at 3:15 AM
ayrecaivo.bsky.social
It’s “draft up another product” day! I’m working on a smaller version of the apothecary bag that will slide onto a belt.
June 28, 2025 at 6:02 PM