Thanks for your thoughts/comments gentlemen. Yes Guy I agree with your commment that primitive shouldn't also mean 'crude'. I only chose to use 'primitive' in the context due to the material I was using. I.e., 'bark tanned' versus normally 'veg tanned' leather/hides. At least in my mind the use of 'bark tanned' hides lend themselves perfectly to pouches, or other items, of 'homespun' in nature, but not in lack of sophistication in style or of construction. Having said that ‘staying in character’ is the hardest challenge I find when I design/make a pouch.
As to the flaps? I've been guilty on a couple pouches having flaps totally void of design. However, I don't have a problem using a raggedy (with hair/fur still there) flap as long as there some symmetry to it and adds to the overall design of the pouch. But to your point, without any thoughts to their design aren’t very appealing to me either. And yes, if enough material is on hand then why not cut a bit more and give the flap some design. Isn’t that what others are going to notice before anything else?
On the other hand some builders may find themselves without enough material for a flap and that may have been the reason for a lack of symmetry, i.e., it was too short for any trimming anyway.
Suzkat, the tufts of hair are a result of the tanning process used by the tanner. A lot of hides barktanned may have some hair around the edges or some will be purposely left in a section of the hide per the direction from the customer. Personally I like to use flaps with a touch of ‘tufts of hair’ showing which is more a design statement than anything else. In my mind, less is more.
Again, thanks again for your time to take notice.
Gary
