My Brother Kicks Ass.
You may remember my mentioning my younger brother Tom here before. He’s the one who gave me the kickass haircut and color when we went to Las Vegas (where he lives) in ’06, and the recipient of my first “We Call Them Pirates” hat last Christmas. Tom and I weren’t all that close when we were growing up (at least, not once I hit high school), mostly because we were very, very different. Now, however, he’s truly one of my favorite people, and I am so proud of him for finding something that he is good at and that he loves, and being a success in doing it.
He has always been very artistic. He has done some amazing work through the years (Some of it can be seen on his MySpace page), and if I can ever figure out how to get one of his canvases here from Vegas, I want one.
Anyway, I got a call from him shortly before Christmas, letting me know that he had lost track of time and that he wasn’t going to be done with the gifts he was making for Kris and I in time to get them shipped to us. We talked about it, and decided it was going to be simpler for him to just wait until after New Year’s, when the shipping companies would settle down a little. He did email both Kris and I pictures of our gifts on Christmas morning, and this Saturday, the much-awaited box arrived.
He hand-tooled and painted this gorgeous leather bag for me! It’s a perfect size for all of my daily basics (plus a knitting project, of course), and I switched to it the instant I opened the box.
Check out the knitting needles on the front! Clearly, he knows me pretty well. 
Under the flap – I need to make a “hand made original” tag for my knitting. I like that idea!
The skull and “One OV” logo also refer to the clothing business that he and an old friend of his have started – they do handpainted leather jackets, and have sold some to a clothing boutique in Las Vegas (Two of which have been sold by the store!). The next time we go visit, Kris is going to do a photo shoot of the stuff they’ve done, and finish building their website.
Just wait until tomorrow – Kris is going to get some shots of his Christmas gift tonight (a GORGEOUS painted leather jacket), plus I will have pics of my completed (and currently drying) Sursa.
Tom, thank you so much – I really, really love this bag, and I can’t WAIT to show it off to everyone!
January 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hey Pam,
This is so great! Rich and I both commented when we saw your bag and Chris’ jacket that they were really cool and we wondered where you got them. Of course, I then proceeded to forget to ask you or mention how cool they were. Anyway, I ramdomly decided to check your blog and, wow, here is the whole story!!
Well, please tell your bro that the bag and jacket are way cool!!!
January 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
That’s amazing, good job bro!
January 14th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Holy crap, that bag is KICK. ASS.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
*bows to Tom’s extreme greatness*
I can’t wait to see Kris’ jacket LOL
January 14th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Holy crap! That is just incredible. Can’t wait to see the jacket, too. But wow. What talent. Wow.
January 14th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
beautiful! what a great gift. oh and i love that new leather smell, sniff it once or twice for me
January 14th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Dude. Dude. That bag. Is. AMAZING. I love the leather – it looks delicious. And the logo?? Uh, YEAH! Is it stupid that for just a second I thought (hoped?) it said OCC, before I took a better look?
January 14th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Your brother does kick ass. Amazing work!
January 14th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
THAT. is fantastic. What a gorgeous gift.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Holy shit. Wow. Just – wow.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I agree with Cristi…
HOLY SHIT!
WOW!
JUST WOW!
I want one…
January 14th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
That is absolutely stunning!!!!
And ditto on what Cristi said!!!!
January 15th, 2008 at 9:04 am
That is effin RIGHTEOUS!!!!
Think he’d do something with that awesome Penny Karma Power Panty logo you made for me??
January 15th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Aren’t brothers the best? You’re lucky the creativity runs in the family!
January 15th, 2008 at 10:35 am
That is awesome!! He did a great job! I agree….he does kick ass!
January 15th, 2008 at 11:06 am
OMGG! I’ll bet people stop you on the street about that bag. It is spectacular. Your brother is an excellent artist.
January 18th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
OMG, talk about drop dead gorgeous! Great brother,,, Great Job!
I want one!!!!
January 20th, 2008 at 1:49 am
I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly he’s up to…
Send him a message that I said congrats and the pride comes from here as well! My heart is truly filled and overflows for him.
And I want one too!!! Or something… I’ll check out the site.
And my ol’ sweet friend from days gone by, I LOVE to see more and more pictures of you!!! It makes me feel like I’m there with you.
And I like that just fine!
me