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Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft
1950–2026
CSCL·Photo Gallery·Back quiver: leather carving and tooling, pewter casting, copper electroplating
From members’ albums

Back quiver: leather carving and tooling, pewter casting, copper electroplating

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A dragon-theme back quiver by Eugene Pik, and its making. The straps are two layers of 3–4 oz vegetable-tanned leather glued grain-out, punched, carved, dyed and finished, then saddle-stitched with waxed linen thread. The strap holder was modelled in polymer clay, moulded in silicone and cast in pewter, then copper-electroplated and aged with a copper-sulphate patina. The dragon is painted in acrylic, which stayed supple when the flat picture was rolled into a tube. At the Society's 2013 Annual the quiver took the Robert Muma Award and the Betty Heacock Memorial Award, with Craftsman and Salon Ribbons.

A black quiver with a carved, painted green dragon and brown harness straps on a wooden deck
A black quiver with a carved, painted green dragon and brown harness straps on a wooden deck
A person seen from behind wears a black back quiver with a green painted dragon on a leather harness
A person seen from behind wears a black back quiver with a green painted dragon on a leather harness
A close-up of quiver harness straps with copper rivets and a moulded copper dragon claw fitting
A close-up of quiver harness straps with copper rivets and a moulded copper dragon claw fitting
A close-up of a carved and painted green dragon's head with copper horns on a black leather quiver
A close-up of a carved and painted green dragon's head with copper horns on a black leather quiver
A pewter shield with a QR code set into the textured black leather of a quiver
A pewter shield with a QR code set into the textured black leather of a quiver
A copper buckle on a stitched harness strap with a stamped maker's keeper, beside a black quiver
A copper buckle on a stitched harness strap with a stamped maker's keeper, beside a black quiver
A black leather back quiver lying on a deck with its crossed brown harness straps
A black leather back quiver lying on a deck with its crossed brown harness straps
The base of the dragon quiver showing a tan leather bottom with stamped designs and the harness straps
The base of the dragon quiver showing a tan leather bottom with stamped designs and the harness straps
A copper-coloured dragon claw fitting and snap where the harness strap joins the black quiver
A copper-coloured dragon claw fitting and snap where the harness strap joins the black quiver
The top edge of the quiver with a laced rim, a pewter QR code shield and arrow shafts inside
The top edge of the quiver with a laced rim, a pewter QR code shield and arrow shafts inside
A close-up of the carved and painted green dragon on the quiver, with copper horns and harness strap
A close-up of the carved and painted green dragon on the quiver, with copper horns and harness strap
The finished dragon back quiver with its harness, holding red-fletched arrows, on a wooden deck
The finished dragon back quiver with its harness, holding red-fletched arrows, on a wooden deck
A finished harness strap of dark leather with a carved and coloured X pattern and an angled stitched end
A finished harness strap of dark leather with a carved and coloured X pattern and an angled stitched end
A close-up of a stitched dark leather strap with a carved, coloured crossing pattern
A close-up of a stitched dark leather strap with a carved, coloured crossing pattern
A close-up of a dark leather strap with carved bevelled lines, double stitching and a punched hole
A close-up of a dark leather strap with carved bevelled lines, double stitching and a punched hole
Hand-stitching a dark leather strap with two needles along the edge of a carved yellow-green design
Hand-stitching a dark leather strap with two needles along the edge of a carved yellow-green design
A dark leather strap with a carved swirling design painted yellow-green
A dark leather strap with a carved swirling design painted yellow-green
A strip of natural leather with a carved X-shaped design coloured green
A strip of natural leather with a carved X-shaped design coloured green
Painting a carved strap with yellow dye from a cup, a fine brush and a bottle of leather dye
Painting a carved strap with yellow dye from a cup, a fine brush and a bottle of leather dye
Punching stitching holes in a natural leather strap with a pronged chisel and a yellow mallet
Punching stitching holes in a natural leather strap with a pronged chisel and a yellow mallet
Scoring a groove along a natural leather strap with a pointed tool
Scoring a groove along a natural leather strap with a pointed tool
A cast dragon fitting and a wooden-handled awl beside the black quiver body
A cast dragon fitting and a wooden-handled awl beside the black quiver body
A copper dragon fitting holding a natural leather strap against the black quiver body
A copper dragon fitting holding a natural leather strap against the black quiver body
The laced top edge of the black quiver with a pewter QR code shield and the painted dragon
The laced top edge of the black quiver with a pewter QR code shield and the painted dragon
The carved dragon quiver beside natural leather strap blanks, a pronged chisel and a wooden strap cutter
The carved dragon quiver beside natural leather strap blanks, a pronged chisel and a wooden strap cutter
A close-up of the black quiver's opening, its rim finished with braided brown leather lacing
A close-up of the black quiver's opening, its rim finished with braided brown leather lacing
A close-up of a curved black leather panel edge with punched lacing holes
A close-up of a curved black leather panel edge with punched lacing holes
The oval quiver bottom with tooled paw prints on tan leather, set in black and edged with lacing
The oval quiver bottom with tooled paw prints on tan leather, set in black and edged with lacing
The lower part of the quiver with the green dragon's clawed feet and a laced bottom edge on granite
The lower part of the quiver with the green dragon's clawed feet and a laced bottom edge on granite
The carved and painted green dragon's head and wing on the black quiver, on a granite surface
The carved and painted green dragon's head and wing on the black quiver, on a granite surface
The painted green dragon on the black quiver in sunlight on a granite surface
The painted green dragon on the black quiver in sunlight on a granite surface
The green dragon's claws carved and painted on the black quiver, with copper-tipped toes
The green dragon's claws carved and painted on the black quiver, with copper-tipped toes
Lacing the quiver bottom with grey lace around the tooled paw-print base on a fur
Lacing the quiver bottom with grey lace around the tooled paw-print base on a fur
The tooled paw-print quiver bottom being laced with grey lace, an awl beside it on a fur
The tooled paw-print quiver bottom being laced with grey lace, an awl beside it on a fur
A needle and lace at the curved opening of the black quiver, which has a row of punched holes
A needle and lace at the curved opening of the black quiver, which has a row of punched holes
The quiver's opening edged with brown leather and a row of spots, a pewter shield above
The quiver's opening edged with brown leather and a row of spots, a pewter shield above
A close-up of a laced seam on textured dark leather under warm light
A close-up of a laced seam on textured dark leather under warm light
A close-up of a cross-stitched seam on dark textured leather
A close-up of a cross-stitched seam on dark textured leather
The quiver's tooled paw-print bottom set into black leather with a ring of punched holes
The quiver's tooled paw-print bottom set into black leather with a ring of punched holes
The base of a black leather quiver with a carved and tooled panel of animal paws
The base of a black leather quiver with a carved and tooled panel of animal paws
The painted dragon quiver panel strapped around a form with black rubber bands to dry
The painted dragon quiver panel strapped around a form with black rubber bands to dry
The painted dragon quiver panel wrapped around a black tube on a work table
The painted dragon quiver panel wrapped around a black tube on a work table
A curl of leather lifted by an edge skiving tool along a straight line on light leather
A curl of leather lifted by an edge skiving tool along a straight line on light leather
A close-up of a stitched seam on textured black leather with a mallet and a tooled bottom piece
A close-up of a stitched seam on textured black leather with a mallet and a tooled bottom piece
A black leather panel with stitching holes on a wooden bench, a yellow mallet in front
A black leather panel with stitching holes on a wooden bench, a yellow mallet in front
A bent metal rod armature in the outline of a dragon body on a green mat
A bent metal rod armature in the outline of a dragon body on a green mat
A stitching groover with a wooden handle cutting a line along the edge of light leather
A stitching groover with a wooden handle cutting a line along the edge of light leather
A pronged stitching chisel, two harness needles and waxed thread on a green towel
A pronged stitching chisel, two harness needles and waxed thread on a green towel
A dial caliper measuring leather thickness beside a large pair of shears on a dark counter
A dial caliper measuring leather thickness beside a large pair of shears on a dark counter
Punching stitching holes along textured black leather with a pronged chisel and a yellow mallet
Punching stitching holes along textured black leather with a pronged chisel and a yellow mallet
A pronged stitching chisel resting on a piece of light leather with a wooden mallet
A pronged stitching chisel resting on a piece of light leather with a wooden mallet
Skiving the edge of a strip of black leather with a knife on a white board
Skiving the edge of a strip of black leather with a knife on a white board
Strips of dark leather cut for lacing beside a scalpel on a white cutting board
Strips of dark leather cut for lacing beside a scalpel on a white cutting board
A curved edge beveller tool trimming the edge of a leather piece on a granite counter
A curved edge beveller tool trimming the edge of a leather piece on a granite counter
A quiver panel being wet-formed around a black plastic pipe clamped to a workbench
A quiver panel being wet-formed around a black plastic pipe clamped to a workbench
Molten pewter poured into a blue mould clamped between boards with rubber bands
Molten pewter poured into a blue mould clamped between boards with rubber bands
A curved grey leather lining piece with a row of punched holes along its edge on a dark counter
A curved grey leather lining piece with a row of punched holes along its edge on a dark counter
Punching holes along the edge of the black dragon quiver panel with a rotary punch
Punching holes along the edge of the black dragon quiver panel with a rotary punch
Four tooled and modelled paw prints on an oval of golden leather with a textured background
Four tooled and modelled paw prints on an oval of golden leather with a textured background
A close-up of tooled paw prints in relief on textured golden leather
A close-up of tooled paw prints in relief on textured golden leather
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An oval of natural leather tooled with four paw prints and a textured background
An oval of natural leather tooled with four paw prints and a textured background
Paw prints cut with a swivel knife into an oval of natural leather
Paw prints cut with a swivel knife into an oval of natural leather
Two oval pieces of leather for the quiver bottom beside a blue utility knife
Two oval pieces of leather for the quiver bottom beside a blue utility knife
A paper paw-print pattern next to a cut oval of natural leather for the quiver bottom
A paper paw-print pattern next to a cut oval of natural leather for the quiver bottom
A paper oval pattern with four drawn paw prints taped to a counter, a stylus beside it
A paper oval pattern with four drawn paw prints taped to a counter, a stylus beside it
A close-up of a pewter shield with a QR code set into textured black leather
A close-up of a pewter shield with a QR code set into textured black leather
Natural leather test stamps of a QR code shield beside a paper design and a metal stamping plate
Natural leather test stamps of a QR code shield beside a paper design and a metal stamping plate
The finished black quiver panel with a carved and painted green dragon, laid flat on granite
The finished black quiver panel with a carved and painted green dragon, laid flat on granite
A close-up of the dragon's carved, painted green legs and claws with pink talons on black leather
A close-up of the dragon's carved, painted green legs and claws with pink talons on black leather
A close-up of the carved and painted green dragon's head with pink spines on black leather
A close-up of the carved and painted green dragon's head with pink spines on black leather
A bronze-coloured dragon fitting with a wing and a sphere, mounted on threaded rods
A bronze-coloured dragon fitting with a wing and a sphere, mounted on threaded rods
Copper electrode tubes and a bottle brush lying on a steel counter
Copper electrode tubes and a bottle brush lying on a steel counter
A red wax dragon model beside its silver-coloured pewter casting on a dark surface
A red wax dragon model beside its silver-coloured pewter casting on a dark surface
A close-up of three cast dragon fittings in bronze and copper tones, each holding a sphere
A close-up of three cast dragon fittings in bronze and copper tones, each holding a sphere
Five small cast metal dragon fittings with mounting pins in copper and dark tones on a white cloth
Five small cast metal dragon fittings with mounting pins in copper and dark tones on a white cloth
Two gold-coloured cast dragon fittings with wings and spiny backs on a dark cloth
Two gold-coloured cast dragon fittings with wings and spiny backs on a dark cloth
Two cast dragon fittings with an antique gold finish on a dark cloth
Two cast dragon fittings with an antique gold finish on a dark cloth
A wax model of a winged dragon fitting on wire supports, ready for casting
A wax model of a winged dragon fitting on wire supports, ready for casting
A raw silver-coloured cast pewter dragon fitting on a dark blue cloth
A raw silver-coloured cast pewter dragon fitting on a dark blue cloth
A silver-coloured cast pewter dragon with a sphere, still on its casting sprue
A silver-coloured cast pewter dragon with a sphere, still on its casting sprue
Pewter pieces melting in a steel ladle over a blue gas flame
Pewter pieces melting in a steel ladle over a blue gas flame
Two halves of a blue silicone mould showing the impression of a cast dragon
Two halves of a blue silicone mould showing the impression of a cast dragon
Two halves of a rubber mould, one purple, one blue holding the red wax dragon
Two halves of a rubber mould, one purple, one blue holding the red wax dragon
The red wax dragon in a half mould of blue silicone with pink sprues and registration keys
The red wax dragon in a half mould of blue silicone with pink sprues and registration keys
A red wax dragon model set in purple clay inside a clear box for making a mould
A red wax dragon model set in purple clay inside a clear box for making a mould
A red wax dragon set in purple modelling clay inside a clear box, ready for mould making
A red wax dragon set in purple modelling clay inside a clear box, ready for mould making
A close-up of the red wax dragon's head and clawed hand holding a white sphere
A close-up of the red wax dragon's head and clawed hand holding a white sphere
A red wax dragon with a scaled neck holding a white sphere, viewed close up
A red wax dragon with a scaled neck holding a white sphere, viewed close up
A red wax dragon model with a finned wing holding a white sphere in its claws
A red wax dragon model with a finned wing holding a white sphere in its claws
A red wax dragon model measured against a ruler at about nine inches long
A red wax dragon model measured against a ruler at about nine inches long
A red wax dragon model with a spiny back holding a small ball, on wire supports in foam
A red wax dragon model with a spiny back holding a small ball, on wire supports in foam
A red wax dragon model curving its neck over a flat base, on wire supports in foam
A red wax dragon model curving its neck over a flat base, on wire supports in foam
A red-orange wax dragon with a scaled body and curled tail on wire supports in foam
A red-orange wax dragon with a scaled body and curled tail on wire supports in foam
A red wax dragon with a spiny back being sculpted on wire supports in a foam block
A red wax dragon with a spiny back being sculpted on wire supports in a foam block
A smooth red wax dragon body with spines along its back on wire supports in foam
A smooth red wax dragon body with spines along its back on wire supports in foam
A thin strip of red modelling wax with a scalpel and a spare blade on a white board
A thin strip of red modelling wax with a scalpel and a spare blade on a white board
A close-up of a red wax dragon head being sculpted on a curved neck
A close-up of a red wax dragon head being sculpted on a curved neck
A red wax dragon neck and head in progress on wire supports beside a tub of modelling compound
A red wax dragon neck and head in progress on wire supports beside a tub of modelling compound
A rough red wax dragon shape built over a bent wire armature standing in foam
A rough red wax dragon shape built over a bent wire armature standing in foam
A red wax dragon body roughed out over a wire armature, its head drawn to a point
A red wax dragon body roughed out over a wire armature, its head drawn to a point
A bent metal rod armature shaped like a dragon's body and neck standing in a foam block
A bent metal rod armature shaped like a dragon's body and neck standing in a foam block
A close-up of a dragon's head carved and tooled in relief on golden-stained leather
A close-up of a dragon's head carved and tooled in relief on golden-stained leather
A close-up of tooled dragon scales and spines carved into golden leather
A close-up of tooled dragon scales and spines carved into golden leather
A close-up of a dragon wing carved and tooled into golden-stained leather
A close-up of a dragon wing carved and tooled into golden-stained leather
A dragon's head and wing carved in relief on a golden leather panel
A dragon's head and wing carved in relief on a golden leather panel
A practice piece of natural leather with a dragon's head carved and modelled in relief
A practice piece of natural leather with a dragon's head carved and modelled in relief
A carved dragon design on a light leather panel, with its head, spines and wing outlined in relief
A carved dragon design on a light leather panel, with its head, spines and wing outlined in relief
The full carved dragon on a light leather quiver panel lying on a dark counter
The full carved dragon on a light leather quiver panel lying on a dark counter
A carved dragon panel of natural leather on a desk beside the paper pattern drawing and tools
A carved dragon panel of natural leather on a desk beside the paper pattern drawing and tools
A dragon design swivel-knife cut into a natural leather quiver panel
A dragon design swivel-knife cut into a natural leather quiver panel
A close-up of a dragon's clawed feet cut into natural leather with a swivel knife
A close-up of a dragon's clawed feet cut into natural leather with a swivel knife
A close-up of a dragon's head and wing cut into natural leather, ready for tooling
A close-up of a dragon's head and wing cut into natural leather, ready for tooling
A dragon design being traced onto natural leather with a stylus from a drawing
A dragon design being traced onto natural leather with a stylus from a drawing
A paper dragon drawing laid over a natural leather quiver panel on a dark table
A paper dragon drawing laid over a natural leather quiver panel on a dark table
A leaf electroplated in pink copper lying on weathered wood
A leaf electroplated in pink copper lying on weathered wood
Leaves hanging on copper wire in a blue copper sulphate bath during electroplating
Leaves hanging on copper wire in a blue copper sulphate bath during electroplating
An electroplating setup: leaves hanging from copper bars in a blue bath wired to a DC power supply
An electroplating setup: leaves hanging from copper bars in a blue bath wired to a DC power supply
A close-up of a dragon's head carved in relief on a curved natural leather panel
A close-up of a dragon's head carved in relief on a curved natural leather panel
A paper quiver pattern with a dragon drawing laid on a whole side of natural leather
A paper quiver pattern with a dragon drawing laid on a whole side of natural leather
A quiver panel pattern drawing with a pencil sketch of a standing dragon
A quiver panel pattern drawing with a pencil sketch of a standing dragon
A paper pattern with a dragon drawing rolled into the cone shape of a quiver
A paper pattern with a dragon drawing rolled into the cone shape of a quiver
Paper pattern pieces for a quiver on a table with an arrow, a tape measure and a pencil
Paper pattern pieces for a quiver on a table with an arrow, a tape measure and a pencil
A dropper, a syringe and a labelled test tube of PEG solution for electroplating
A dropper, a syringe and a labelled test tube of PEG solution for electroplating
A clear plastic tub fitted with copper pipe electrodes for an electroplating bath, pliers behind
A clear plastic tub fitted with copper pipe electrodes for an electroplating bath, pliers behind
Blue copper sulphate crystals in a glass measuring jug on a digital kitchen scale
Blue copper sulphate crystals in a glass measuring jug on a digital kitchen scale
A paper mock-up of a quiver bottom with grid lines drawn on it
A paper mock-up of a quiver bottom with grid lines drawn on it
A paper mock-up of the quiver body standing upright with marked grid lines on a granite counter
A paper mock-up of the quiver body standing upright with marked grid lines on a granite counter
A flat translucent pattern for the quiver body with curved grid lines on a granite counter
A flat translucent pattern for the quiver body with curved grid lines on a granite counter
A pattern for the quiver body drawn in red on grid paper with a dashed centre line
A pattern for the quiver body drawn in red on grid paper with a dashed centre line
A screenshot of an online message granting permission to use a dragon drawing for the project
A screenshot of an online message granting permission to use a dragon drawing for the project

The photographs in this album are by Eugene Pik and are not licensed for reuse: the dragon designs are another artist’s, used by him with permission for his own leathercraft only. About the photographs’ licences