Custom belts are my jam. Have a buckle but just can’t quite find the right belt for it? Looking for something a little different and are tired of the same ole same ole store belt? I love that I can make a belt any way I want, and the only requirement is that it needs to encircle something and latch in some way. The sky is the limit!!
Inspired by a Shower Curtain
My first belt ever was made for myself, and the design was inspired by my then nautical shower curtain. I didn’t quite know what I was doing and I didn’t think I needed a belt keeper for my super cool octopus buckle. I chose to leave this belt natural (meaning no oil or dye on the leather), so I could see how the belt aged over time. Other than the annoying sans-keeper it has aged beautifully and is as sturdy as ever, years later, albeit a bit darker now.
The Yin-Yang Belt
Every year I try to donate a custom belt to various non-profit events, such as the Catalina Island Conservancy Ball or in this case, the Society for Conservation GIS (SCGIS). I went up to auction off a custom belt but realized I needed a physical example to help people envision what I could make them. Enter trusty belt ground zero, the shower curtain belt, which I just happened to be wearing. I pulled that gorgeous belt off and passed her around.
A wonderful gentleman at the conference bid on my belt, and asked me to make him a reversible belt. One that was dark and stormy on one side (and incidentally wanted the same wave pattern but for me to add a boat his niece drew him!), and bright, sunny, and with flying fish on the other. It was a blast to make!
The Hardest Belt I ever Made (Thus far)
Oh, the map belt. This infamous beauty was SO hard to make. She was again for charity (Catalina Island Conservancy Ball) and I learned from previous events it can be easier to have the item already made – that way people can touch, smell and try on the goods at the actual event (you know, pre-covid times.. those were the days…). Well at the time I was a spatial analyst and made maps for the Island. So, naturally I wanted to make a map belt. How hard could it be?!
HOURS LATER
I took around 75 Catalina Island profile screenshots in Google Earth to get the perspective right, and then drew the Island as you would see it from the mainland. Notable coves, peaks and other items such as roads were included with labels. This girl was a true masterpiece! I had no idea what I was getting myself into. HOURS later I traced and then carved all the little details. Whew! I dyed her “bison brown” and finished with a buffalo nickel snap for the buckle. Truly one-of-a-kind.
Sticking to my Roots
I’ll save the story of why I became a leather-worker and later, jewelry-maker for another day. But my horsey roots at times are showcased in my work, such as this intricate floral island belt I made for a dear friend. She had a cool bison buckle and wanted a custom belt to match. This is still one of my favorite pieces to date.
Belt No. DOS
To wrap up our foray into some of my favorite custom belts, I’d like to head back to almost ground zero.
Belt number two was made for my then temporary significant other, now permanent significant other. I still didn’t have a complete understanding of belt engineering, and didn’t realize the belt loop should be a certain distance from the buckle. I knew from personal experience there needed to BE a loop, but didn’t know placement was also key. Bless my SO’s heart, this belt was worn for years despite the annoying feature of needing to shove the belt loop through the pants loop to wear the belt properly. I dyed this one with only oil and loved how the belt got darker with age and exposure to sun. It ended up a rich, warm brown. Bonus – the buckle has movable gears!
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