Ink, Leather & Plague Doctors -- What do they have in common?

[jbb]

I was sewing a batch of leather Plague Doctor masks ('cause that's what I do) when finally solved the mystery of strange blue-black stains we occasionally get in the leather. The tannins in the leather (from tanning the leather.... get it??? tannins, tanning...) react with the iron in my sewing needles when I leave the leather in water with the needles still threaded. The stains are the exact same color as my homemade powdered iron gall ink so I had an "Aha" moment.

[MisterBoll]

Wonderful mask. Where are they available?

[jbb]

Wonderful mask. Where are they available?

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TomBanwell?section_id=5537297

[Laura N]

That's a neat observation about the "ink" stains.

ETA: Great mask, too!

[jbb]

That's a neat observation about the "ink" stains.

ETA: Great mask, too!

Thanks. The problem of these ink stains has been a mystery for a long time it was fun to have all my iron gall experimenting suddenly matter for our work.

[MisterBoll]

If found the prefect music for these masks -
David Lang - Death Speaks.

[Uncle Red]

Jill, I have his Etsy store bookmarked but I never knew you were connected. LOL

[jbb]

Jill, I have his Etsy store bookmarked but I never knew you were connected. LOL

You do? Small world! Here's a family photo:

[Uncle Red]

Cool

[Marsilius]

They are just a little bit creepy, but wonderful, too. Or wonderful, but a just little bit creepy, too. Pantalone and Il Dottore meet All Quiet on the Post Modern Western Front?

[79spitfire]

You should have been at the Maker Faire in San Mateo...

[Flake]

jbb these are amazing!

[jbb]

jbb these are amazing!

Thanks! This is my husband's work.