ETW Grumpy

Those are really good. Is that white color a cova? Your tooling and embossing is great.

That's a very cool effect. What tools did you use for the hair? A buddy wants me to put a wolf on a wallet and I've never done anything like that.

Wow, thanks to all for the in depth responses. To clarify: I am willing to work for no pay on my off time just to learn. I guess that's not a true apprenticeship. Sorry to confuse. Azmal: Sounds like you had a mentor that was more concerned with what he could make from your labors. That's too bad, he really lost a talented artist. Your work rocks! Barra: "keen as mustard" hmmmmm Yep definitely an Aussie saying. I might know someone that knows probably the best saddlemaker in this area. He does saddles for stars like George Strait. That may be a way to break the ice. Luke: I have been fortunate to have a couple of folks that I can ask questions of. One of whom is our own beezachoppa. He has been very helpful. I met a saddlemaker here that was very willing to teach, but his shop was about an hours ride one way and I couldn't keep up the commute and get stuff done at home. He has closed his shop now and gone back to work at a "real" job. Johanna: The each one teach one is a great idea. I e-mailed a leathersmith about his edges and asked how he got 'em as good as he did. He explained step by step how he did it. He also explained that he had a teach one philosophy. As far as solitary people, I are one too. ( I didn't get the nickname Grumpy for no reason). I'm not one that has to fill the silence. i would love to make the IFoLG show in Ft Worth. If I can, I will. abn: I can see where that would limit the time someone could spend messing with a newbie. Snakehorse saddler: I wish I lived close to Rosendale !! I believe we could work together. Hoyden: Sometimes a kind word and a bit of patience at the right time is all it takes. Thank you for the Marrus quote. That's very inspirational.

Thanks Bruce, I'll check that out.

I have been thinking about approaching some of the leathersmiths in this area to see if they are willing to take on a student, apprentice, hang around, gofer whatever you want to call it so that I can improve my craft. I'm not a real outgoing sort, so my question is this: Is there a "protocol" for doing something like this? Is it considered rude to just waltz up in some saddlers shop and ask if he will take you under his wing? Is there a better way to go about it? Just some thoughts that are buzzing through my alleged mind. What are your thoughts on this?

I've been renovating a spare bedroom so I can move out of the living room. When I get my benches built, I'll post some before, during and after shots.

esantoro, is that offer available to others? I saw your bag and it inspired me to want to make one for my wife. Do you have any pictures of tooling or basketweave? I would like to do some tooling on hers. Same idea as azmal, good advertising. Not to mention good looking.

Great looking collars. I went to Wallace's web site. Awesome video. I agree with David, a particular breed of dog is not vicious, it is how that individual animal was raised. I have owned everything from Poodles to Rottweilers. It's how they are treated. Love your work. Great job by the 5 year old, too. How do you get the brindle look and why do you hate them so much?

That is a beautiful bag. Really nice work. The embroidery just adds that more of a professional touch.

Hey Roger, great tutorial. What size holes/lace are you using and what is the spacing? Is the spacing on the top piece different than the spacing on the side piece(s)/ Cool work, thanks for putting it out there.

I understand the perfectionist disease. I have not done a project yet that has gotten done once. I always see some flaw, and just can't live with it until it gets redone. Even then, I'm not happy with some part of it. Everyone I have done something for has loved it and every piece I have done I have thought looked awful. I know that if I keep working and keep learning I'll get better. I'll never be perfect, but I'll get better. Practice basketweave on some of that scrap until you get it the way you like it.

Hoyden, jump out there and do it. I keep hesitating to try new stuff because I'm afraid I'll mess it up. If I do, so what. Gotta try anyway. Basketweave isn't hard, just somewhat tedious. Give 'er a shot and post some pics when you get it done.

I'm still waiting for my local store to get them in stock. I called yesterday and they still can't get them from the warehouse. Can't wait.

Great looking work as usual Roger. Got a question I'm sending you by PM.

David, I've bought similarly styled holsters without the tooling and braiding for around $70. It really matters how much time you have in it and what your time is worth. I wouldn't have a problem paying $85- $100 for it.

Thanks for the kind words. Leathernut, Xian's wallet was one of my favorite pieces to do. Only had to do it 4 times to get it right. Johanna, those are actually cell phone cases. The mallet is just my attempt at decent photographic composition. Thanks for the compliments. What I do is use my wing dividers to find the center of the pattern, then scribe a line down the center of the piece. Then I start at one end of the piece and strike the first impression on the left of the line, then turn it around (helps me to line it up easier) and strike the next impression on the right side of the line being careful to make sure that the tool is straight on the line and that the bottom third of the tool (everything from the center diagonally marked section to the end) overlaps the first stroke that I made. I continue to do that down the center line and then pick a side and fill in the gaps I created by going down the center. I hope this is not too confusing. If enough people are interested, I could take some pictures in sequence and show what I mean. I have attached a pic of a seat cover I did for a friends bike.

Don, that's a really great wallet design. Simple and clean. Love the 101 Ranch graphic. Did you draw that yourself? I'm gonna try the markers and see how that works.

Wanted to post pics of some stuff I've done. Criticism and suggestions are welcome and expected. ** Standard excuse my lack of photography skills disclaimer ** Thanks for looking.

He should like it, that's great work.

That's a killer looking slicker. How hard is it to learn the knot like that?

I really like that middle seat, David. What color is that? Really great work.

Actually I saw someone else using them as reinforcement at stress points and it just made sense. Most of the jeans companies use them that way. Since the pockets are pretty thin, I thought I'd better do something to keep from ripping them out. Thanks for the kind words.

I am fairly new to leatherwork, having been at it for about 6 or 7 months. I don't remember how I found this forum, but I'm glad I did. I hope to be of some help when I can. I have been doing mostly smaller items like cell phone cases and wallets, but plan on doing some toolbags and a seat soon. I attached a picture of a wallet that I did a while back. Hope I did it right.