Belt Tap-Offs Made Simple with Lexi Brunson

Date: Friday November 6th

Skill Level: Beginner

Time: 1:00 to 5:00 pm 

Room:  2

Instructor: Lexi Brunson

Master belt making with professional patterns and tooling.
Belts are a classic showcase for leather tooling, and in this hands-on class, Lexi Brunson will teach you how to create clean, repeatable designs using tap-offs.

Throughout the class, students will complete three beautifully designed belt tap-offs: First Frost Acanthus, Field Flower, and Oakleaf. Each pattern introduces different design elements and tooling challenges, giving students the opportunity to build confidence while expanding their skill set.

You'll learn how to work from professional patterns and improve your swivel knife control. This class is designed to help you create designs you can confidently reproduce in your own work while developing a stronger understanding of pattern flow and tooling fundamentals.

With clear, guided instruction, you'll not only leave with three completed tap-offs but also develop skills that transfer across all your tooling projects.

What You Will Learn

·        How to use tap-offs to speed up your workflow and maintain consistency

·        Swivel knife techniques for clean, controlled cuts

·        How to build and repeat clean belt patterns

·        Techniques for adding depth, detail, and flow to your designs

·        Tips for creating professional-quality finishes in your leatherwork

Projects Included

·        First Frost Acanthus Tap-Off

·        Field Flower Tap-Off

·        Oakleaf Tap-Off

What to Bring:

• Swivel knife
• Wing dividers
• Basic stamping tools (bevelers, shaders, backgrounders)
• Mallet or maul
• Spray bottle
• Rock
• Notebook and pen for notes

As part of this class, students will receive lifetime access to Lexi’s Master Belt Tooling & Tap-Off Techniques course on Learn with Illume, so you can revisit the techniques and continue building your skills long after the show.

Lexi Brunson, of Burns Saddlery, started as a leather tooler for the company in 2019 and by August of 2021 was made Tooling Foreman. In addition to being the foreman, Lexi is a contributor to Illume magazine and Learn with Illume, an online learning platform for leathercrafters. She is a life-long lover of horses and an avid hunter and fisher.

Start your day right
We always offer a complimentary breakfast bar just outside the classrooms. This is free for all students—please enjoy it before class! The coffee is amazing.

 

CLASS REFUND POLICY:

100% refund through Oct. 1st

80% refund through Oct. 20th

No refund from Oct 21st through the end of the show