Devoucoux Eventing Set

All eventing sets take a lot of time and work, but this one had more uphill struggles than most- which makes finishing it that much more gratifying!

This saddle has been in the back of my mind for ages and ages now and I'm so happy to have it be a reality. I love me a good clean dark brown hunter set, but sets like this with fun colors and details (despite requiring extra elbow grease) feel so special and unique. 

I'm also just crazy pleased with the overall sleekness and cleanness of this set- the cowhide really looks quality, and the painted pieces are clean and tidy. 

The pictures don't show it well at all, but the browband actually has little red dots to tie in with the saddle.

This set was a real labor of love, and I can't wait for it to make someone else as happy as it makes me! 

(It's up for sale on MH$P here!)

Studio Update: June 13

It's taken me since March, but this somewhat ridiculous, somewhat awesome saddle is finally finished and getting all the bells and whistles and accessories to go with.

Which has thrown my desk into that old familiar "there's so many tiny pieces of leather but I don't know which ones I can use and which are trash" mess.

The breastplate I've been putting off for days got a start today, though only so far as the alien baby stages:

Most of my time went into finishing up the funky short girth and figure eight bridle.

It's super easy for me to forget how long eventing sets actually take, considering all the bits and pieces- I feel like I've been fiddling with this set forever and I still have the rest of the breastplate and four boots to go!

I'm crazy motivated to get this set done firstly because I think it's going to look really special and I'm pumped to see it all come together, and secondly because I'm making myself finish this project before I start the next exciting thing I have waiting!

But for now, it's back to the breastplate. (Sigh).

Studio Update: March 24

I feel like I've been so productive, and yet I'm struggling to find photo evidence.

Basically, I've been in a very cross country-type mood lately, judging by my current projects. There's this micro diorama, kind of a sequel to last year's version:

I have a massive reference folder of fences and obstacles from the London 2012 Olympics, and this guy has been near the top for years now.

It's still very much in the rough stages, and I have a whole 'nother post coming together about the process of this project, but it's been fun so far!

The other time-suck on my desk is also of the eventing variety, and also a project I've been itching to tackle for years now: this awesomely tacky Devoucoux saddle from a Braymere post a while back. 

The wrinkled skirt has since been replaced- sigh!

I bought myself some high-quality leather paints for a racing set a few years ago and haven't really had the chance to use them since. So far with this saddle I've been really pleased with the paint, and all the touching and handling involved in assembling it hasn't seemed to phase the painted pieces. I do have some anxiety about paint flaking off or chipping away, but *knock on wood* so far so good!

I'm off to make some very red panels!

Micro Eventer Pictures

This has been quite the fun side project- more about its construction process in a future post.