Alex

Thank you very much for all your suggestions! Very helpful!! Alex

I'd like to say thank you to the administration and everyone responsible for this board. It is inspiring and motivating. I can't thank you enough!! I've learned so much just from reading posts on the boards. It was here I learned about the show in Butler, PA. The lessons that I learned there will stick with me. I learned things from such teachers as Paul Burnett, George Hurst, and Jeff Mosby. Meeting them was an unforgetilbe experience. Not to mention talking to people like Rob Beard and Barry King was exciting. Even before I knew who these gentlemen were, they were supportive and down to earth. Then I came to find that they were true artists. Not to mention, huge in the industry. I was told Butler was a very low-key event. So I can only imagine what it will be like in Texas in October. ...Can't wait!! Thanks, Alex Scavo New Jersey

Hello everybody. I have a dye question... I made a business card holder for my brother and dyed it black, front and back. I don't know what I was thinking! My question is, will the back side dry out eventually, or is there a way to finish the back side? Or will the black dye constantly rub off? OR...should I just scrap it and start over. Thanks, Alex

I saw some pictures on you site. Everything looks really unique. I love going to Ren Faires and seeing all the leather goods and talking to the people who know the craft. I've yet to go to the Faire in Tuxedo. I've been to the PA Ren Faire. Other than that, I've only gone to a couple of small ones. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one in NJ that is into leatherworking. I was starting to wonder Do you get any supplies local? I'm in East Windsor/Hightstown, exit 8 on the turnpike. Where are you? Did you see the show coming up in Pittsburgh? They have classes for leathercarving. I signed up already. I can use all the help I can get.

Jim, your holster looks great! How did you get that rich glow? It really makes it stand out. What kind of coloring did you use? Or is it the finish. I made one for my Godson. It came out nice. Although, I could have done a better job coloring it. Alex

Wallet looks awesome! Was it a kit or from scratch? I made a biker wallet from the Tandy kit. Dyed it black, with a sillouette of the mud flap girl in metallic silver. I gave it to my nephew. But the next one I'm going to keep. I'll send the picture when I'm done. Did you ever find another style of wallet or still looking. Alex

Can anyone tell me if using a business card with jeweler's rouge on it, on top of a block of marble, is an adequate way of stroping? I am always careful to the angle while stroping, as well stoping often. But is this method sufficient enough? I had read that stoping is basically a way to keep the knife blade polished. Or does the blade require more sharpening.

Cutting 8+ ounces--- Does anyone have suggestions? I've only used Gingher sheers. They're really good, but for heavier leather, not so great. I've heard that round knives are dangerous for the novice. Alex

I was wondering if using a damp sponge squeezed out thouroughly was ok to use when dying, or should it be bone dry? Futhermore, is it ok to use the same sponge over again, with the same dye of course. Or is scrap wool a better method? Or is it just personal preference? Also is there a way to keep the back of projects from getting stain on them, or am I just being careless? It seems difficult. Are there any tricks? Thanks, Alex

No, I'm not close to any stores either. I've made the trip to Baltimore a few times, but mostly I just call in my order by phone. Yeah, I'm going to go to the show in October. I'm looking forward to it. I'm in the process of calling now to see if there is still availability in the workshops. Alex

East Windsor, New Jersey in Mercer County. It's central NJ.

Hi, my name is Alex. I live in New Jersey w/ my wife and two boys. I was searching online and came across this group which looks like a great place. I've been doing leathercraft for two years. I wish I had more direction with learning new techniques. You can only learn so much from a book. I'm wondering if there are any groups/meetings/organizations in New Jersey. (Or even in the surrounding area.) I also read about the show coming up in Pittsburg on Oct. 13. Does anyone know if you have to be a member of one of the guilds to attend workshops? Or any good advice for the show would be appreciated, such as how many vendors, attendance size etc... I'm here in New Jersey and I know no one who does leathercrafting, and I just think that it sounds like a lot of fun being surrounded by other leather enthusiasts exchanging ideas and information. Thanks, Alex