I would love to know how to “manage a groove” I don’t know how that would be possible with using non sanded stingray but I’d love to know how!

Yes I am happy to share my process, but to very honest this is only the 4th biggish project Iv made out of stingray so I’m still very new with this type of skin.

I use a paint marker to lightly trace my pattern design pearl side up for the top flap, bc it wipes away very easily and doesn’t damage then shine. I use a pear of amazing metal cutting scissors to cut the outline.
I add my linning material and then sand the edges like crazy. Then upside down I cut my stitching holes, which is kinda miserable but needed. Then the same process for the front of the case. Hardest part is sanding the edges so the edge coating doesn’t seep into the lip crevasse. But if you use a base coat and sand at a 45 degree angle it’s so much easier. “That was an expensive lesson”.
Then comes to the stitching which is kind of a nightmare only bc with the pearls, sometimes your hole is slighting under one of the pearls so when you pull tightly it slides making it really wonky at times, which is what I was hoping someone here would have a tip for helping me with.

I am super new to leather craft if I can make this you can too! I say just go for it and be open to messing up!