Hi folks,
I have just been asked to build a very special fishing rod for someone and they would like for me to incorporate a wolf motif into the rod. We're talking the full on filigree wolf bust, acid etch pack running on nickel silver reelseat, I mean all the bells and whistles (wolf wise) I can include into the build.
I am looking for opinions, suggestions and ideas as to just how hard it will be to take the picture I have post of a wolf tattoo from the picture to a weave. I would like to match the tattoo as closely as possible although there is some fine work to try and copy.

Thanks for any replies you may have,
Wylie

Wylie,

Mark Crouse, who uses this site and has many post on the photo page, will make a left list for any item you would want to weave.

I sent him some photos and he made left list which were laminated. Mark does wonderful work. You can find his email address on this site. He is located in West Virginia.

Larry R. Tysinger

This is a perfect case for VisualWeave. Too bad it is not complete at this time, although it's getting close.

Wylie,
You can ask the recipient of the rod and tattoo bearer who the artist is.Then call or go by his studio and explain what you want to do.He may just make a copy of the flash(the artwork) for you to send to Mark Crouse.Most good tattoo artists have copy machines in studio and they can even reduce or enlarge it for you.That way,the artwork will look its best when Mark makes a left list for you.
I know this to be true as I have a bit of the ink under my skin as well.
Chuck

If you can get a picture of the wolf go to a craft store and buy a product called Transgraf-X. It is a grid that you can lay over any picture and copy. You will have an instant pattern.

Larry,
I have seen Mark's work and I do consider him a master rod builder and a very creative person. I am not exactly up on the terminology of the lefy list but I will see if Mark can get me filled in on what I will need in the way of materials and what's need for this challenge I have set before myself this time.
Thanks Larry

Hi Billy,
I still haven't hooked up with the Visual Wrap program yet but it really looks as though it is gaining momentum and is the best path to developing decorative wraps builders would like to set up.
You know that wood you sent may just be an option for this rod but I will have to see how my customer would like to have it incorporated into his rod if he would.
I started with that reel seat I had mentioned but botched it right out of the gate with the reel seat itself I was splitting. I tried brushing away some nasty looking markings and got carried away so it may just and up with a color coat to hide the boo boos I made.
Thanks for the suggestion and please let me know when you feel the Visual Wrap is at 100%. I think I tried to register to the website but something got mixed up, I'll try again and see if I can get hooked up this time.
I'll be sure to send pictures when I get that wood set up.
Thanks Billy

Hi Chuck,
If I remember correctly it has been mentioned that the ink work was done overseas but I may be able to set the tat into an art program I have and keep the same look. If I remeber correctly the tattoo was done from a drawing that I may just be able to get my hands on, I'll have to chack and see what we can come up with. Either way I don't think I could find anyone more adapt at setting this wolf tattoo into a threadable art work then Mark.
Thanks Chuck

Hi Pat,
That sounds like a real good way to get this scaled down some for a better fit to the space I will have to work with on the rod. You know it may just be a good place to start as I could scan a picture of the tatoo with the graph placed over and then down size the graph/picture with a computer program.
Thanks Pat

Too hip, with the options you guys have helped me with here I should be able to make a real good run at something that I was not sure I wanted to jump into but am feeling a bit more confident with now. Way cool now I just need to get the details together with my customer and down on paper, spend some time at some jewlery stores eye balling some filigree and then work the best I can on the cost to my customer. That cost thing always seems to be the hard part as I almost feel I should be shelling out for the experience but then time is money.
Tight wraps fellas and thanks again,
Wylie

Wylie,
While it may mean a bit more legwork,tattoo shops nearby will probably have the same flash on their walls or in their "idea books" with more flash in them.
Chuck

Thanks Chuck,
The guy that wants this rod/quote lives down stairs from me so I think I am going to have him handle that end of the deal. The tat is something that a group of his friends have had done and he might just have a drawing to get started with. I'm having that short term beer memory thing but should have all the facts soon enough. : )

Thanks again Chuck,
Wylie

Wylie,
You are very welcome.It will help you out if he does that part of it and he will "be involved" in the process and evolution of his rod.It will make it much more special to him in the end.
Chuck

I just asked and it looks like I get to take the long way with the make up of the weave itself as there are no pictures of the wolf tat that my friend has. I figure I'll just break it down to some more basic lines and go from there with sizing and color of the threads.
Wish me luck,
Wylie

Best of Success to ya Wylie.