This week’s project was a Portuguese/Baroque inspired bridle, made to fit Alborozo.
This bridle was another one of those pieces that just didn’t want to be made. Eventually I got it to cooperate with me, but that was after losing tiny pieces, breaking pieces, dropping stuff in glue, etc etc…
All of the metal pieces are from Rio Rondo. I’ve never made anything so decked out in silver before!
And I’ve never tried a Spanish-type bridle either so this was fun, when it wasn’t fighting me of course. 😉
One thing I had trouble with were the metal keepers that came with the hardware sheet. They are too wide for the lace when folded and break easily. It was suggested to glue the pieces on leather keepers instead, which worked out a lot better.
I wanted to keep the edges silver though, so they got a touch of silver alcohol ink. I really like the end result, and unless you look really close, they imitate the look of metal keepers fairly well.
I struggled a lot with the fit but I’m hoping that’s another thing that will get better with practice. There are some things about it that bother me (there’s always something) but overall I’m happy with how it came together.
Desktop Stables 
Reblogged this on Ethereal Equines and commented:
Nichelle masters a new tack piece and it is lovely.
It’s beautiful! Where do you get your Alcohol Ink?
I bought it at Joann fabrics, near the paper crafting/scrapbook area. 🙂
awesome! how did you get those tiny stitch like holes on the edges of the leather?
oh, and how did you get like, the browband with wavy edges?
I use a tool called a “pounce wheel” for stitch-marking leather. The wavy/curved pieces were cut from a piece of 1/4″ leather lace. 🙂
Again, amazing as always! Just don’t know how you mange to made those type of things so realistic!
Thx!