ClayB

My friend Dave Peterson stopped by today for a visit. For those of you that don't know Dave, he's married to Robb Barr's sister Cheryl. I met Dave several years ago in Sheridan and when we started talking, we realized that we lived fairly close together (by North Dakota standards anyway). Dave comes out to my side of the state a few times a year to hunt and when he does, he usually stops in to talk about leather projects he's working on. Dave got interested in carving leather after Robb passed away, so he never got to learn from the master, so when he gets stuck on something, he has to settle for me. He always brings along lots of goodies to show, and usually leaves me a gift or two. This time was no exception. One this trip, Dave was hoping I could give him some pointers on carving shrubbery. (yes Crystal, I googled Monte Python and found a You Tube video of the the show clip). He won a carving by Silva Fox a few years ago at the IFoLG show in Texas and brought that along to show me an example of what he wanted to try. I have seen pictures of this carving before, but this is the first time I had seen it in person. I was really surprised at how SMALL the carving is. It only measures about 5 inches high by 13 inches wide. The detail on something that small is pretty amazing. I guess maybe that's why Silva has always been one of my favorite leather artists. Now I'm supposed to teach him how she did this???? Well, I tried, and he was fairly happy with my attempt. We also went over some techniques to do some hair, eyes and grass. Dave continues to improve his carving techniques every time I see him. He brought several of the carvings that he's currently working on with him to show me. It's always fun to see what he's working on, and some of the new ideas he comes up with. He's always changing patterns and doing things a little bit different and comes up with some really interesting ideas. When Dave left for the evening, he asked if he could leave most of his stuff here since he plans on coming back again tomorrow. Um....... sure. I've got a box full of Robb Barr's black tools to play with, a couple really cool swivel knives, and a Bob Beard mallet that you can't get anymore. It's like Christmas came early, even if it's only for an evening. The weather here seems to want to act like Christmas so it works for me! Anyone want to come over and play? Here's a few pictures. The first three are of Silva's carving. The next two are some of Dave's work, and the last two are of a brief case that is some of Robb's early work.

In order to help you decide what books might help you the most, it would be helpful to us to know what kind of leathercraft or leather carving you might be interested in doing. There are lots of different things that people do with leather, and there are a lot of books out there that cover specific areas of the craft such as belts, billfolds, figure carving, saddle making, braiding. With a better idea of what you are interested in learning, I'm sure we can point you in the right direction.

Leather dust is just that, ground up leather. It is made into putty by mixing it with rubber cement, or in some cases contact cement. The main use for it that I know of is to fill in the back of embossed leather carvings. Back when Al Stohlman was doing embossed pictures, he made leather sculpted plugs to put on the back and when these were tooled around, they made the leather stand out on the front, giving it a 3-D effect. Robb Barr is usually given credit for the "extreme embossed" technique that many people use today. I was told that he wasn't the first to use leather dust/ putty, but I don't remember who was supposed to have told Robb about it (maybe Kathleen Bond?) Robb made a series of videos with George Hurst showing several projects that he made using the extreme embossing technique. With his technique, the leather is stretched from the backside creating a cavity. This cavity is then filled in with the leather putty mixture. There are times when even more stretch is wanted, and to do that, some parts of the leather is cut through on the front of a carving. Then that cut out part can also be filled in with putty. When it's done right, it's really hard to tell where the leather ends, and the putty starts. The putty can be shaped and textured just like the original leather. Jan Schoonover is a master at that. There are also times when leather putty can be applied to leather for a different texture altogether. Adding fairly realistic bark can be added to trees is one example. These are the most common uses I know of for leather putty. There are probably others. I'll add a few pictures to show some of these techniques. Robb Barr Grizzly Jan Schoonover Grizzly Bark More bark

I agree Kate. The main reason I mentioned the old Craftools that I like is because I was told the new ones are being made close to the shape of the old ones. If they are, I think they'd be worth checking out and cheaper than any of the custom made ones.

Crystal, You could also draw the border on the pattern just to help with the positioning, but not trace it onto the leather.

Hi Gisela, It's been awhile, but I think I have the pictures from Jan's Hair and Horns class somewhere where you can see them. I'd have put them on here, but as slow as that goes for me, I'd have probably pulled out all my hair and stared drinking again. Hopefully you can see them on my Dotphoto site. If it doesn't work, let me know and I'll see what I can do. Once you are in the album, clicking on a picture will enlarge it and allow you to see my descriptions of what is going on.

I personally like checkered bevelers. I've got a set of 5 fine checkered bevelers from Bob Beard. They were my first "serious" tool order and they are nice tools. I've also got the ones Kate mentioned from Hide Crafters and I like them a lot too. But if I could only keep 2 bevelers out of all my tools, they'd be a 198 and a 701 Craftool that were my grandfathers. They are still the ones I grab for first when I'm working on a project. They are shaped the way a beveler is supposed to be shaped so they don't leave tracks. I was told that the new Craftool bevelers they are making now have the rounded edges that the original ones had. They might be worth checking out. I've also got some smooth bevelers from Hackbarth and they work really well to. I don't think you are going to go wrong with any of the custom made tools, you just have to figure out what price range you want to shop in. It'd be best if you could go to a show someplace and try the tools from different makers. You can also call them and talk to them about the kind of work you do. They should be able to give you some ideas as to what would work best for you too. I dont think you are going to get a unanimous decision on what are the best stamping tools out there. You might on an awl, or maybe a modeling tool, but there are a lot of good stamping tools being made these days.

Hi Chris, There are a lot of different sizes of pear shaders. It is probably easier to have the one that fits the area you are trying to stamp in with one pass. If you don't, you can work the shader from side to side to get it to fill in a larger area. I think that's what you are asking and my answer would be yes, make another pass to widen the impression, but not the full width of the tool. It's probably going to take some practice to make this look nice and smooth. With the cam, you are going to want to lift it and carefully set it back down between impressions. That'll be slow at first but you want the impressions to be spaced evenly. It'll get a lot faster as you do more of it. You also want to learn to tilt the cam to one side when you are following the edge of a scroll or the center line in some leaves. If you post pictures of what you are having troubles with, I'm sure people will jump in with lots of suggestions.

I tried an electric coffee grinder once, took the blades right off of it. Tried a blender too and that didn't work much better. For me, it's easier to just buy the stuff. I've heard that some shoe repair places sweep up piles of leather dust when they sand soles and things. You might be able to get it from a place like that. I don't know how clean it would be. If you're just using it on the backs of projects to fill in the embossing, it might not matter how fine it is, or how clean. If you are going to use it on the front of projects to fill in areas of an embossed carving, then you'd want it as fine and clean as you can get it. The stuff from Hide Crafter is good stuff. Leather dust mixed with rubber cement also stays a little bit flexible after it dries so you can still shape the muscles etc. on a carved project.I think that's why Robb and Jan went to it instead of saw dust.

I agree with Ben, it looks really neat. Is it going to come with instructions on how to build a saddle on it??

Hi Troy, Those projects where you can make up a special design for a friend that tie in some personal stuff are a lot of fun. You're doing a great job on it. I'll be waiting to see it finished too. It's gonna be a great addition to the custom bike.

I know we've got quite a few members from Canada here on LW. I don't know if you all know about The Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft. Here's a link to their website. This group is for anyone interested in leathercraft, any skill level. Prospective members are welcomed at Branch meetings in these Ontario Branches: Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Woodstock, and Norland. Student - must be attending school and provide name of school Those not close to a Branch may still be a CSCL General Member-at-Large.

The Tandy Leather Factory stores around the US and Canada hold many regularly scheduled and some special classes from time to time. Below is a list of some of these upcoming classes. Check and see what may be coming up in your area. LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Oklahoma City, OK Class Schedule October - November 2009 Most of our leathercrafting classes include all the supplies, unless noted below. Each student is responsible for bringing their own tools. If you are just now getting started our Deluxe Leathercrafting Starter Set is the best option for you to purchase. New Wholesale Club Members and customers that purchase our #55510-00 Deluxe Leathercraft Kit may choose one basic class off this schedule and the class fee will be waived. Classes taught by anyone not employed by Tandy Leather Factory are noted below in the class description. The offer for a free class only applies to our basic classes. Each student is required to RSVP for the class(es) they want to attend. In order to assure there are not too many people signed up for a class we do require prepayment for each class you sign up for. In the event you have to cancel after you have prepaid for a class, the class fee will be refunded in store credit. We do offer an alternate list for people to sign up in the event that the class is already full. We will call the alternates in the order they are signed up if we receive a cancellation. Take a look at our class schedule for October - November. We have added more basic classes to get you started off on the right foot in leathercrafting. This will be our last official class schedule for 2009. The next opportunity you will have to join in the fun of attending your leathercrafting classes and expanding you knowledge will be in January 2010 Saturday October 3rd Basic Tooling Class. 10:00 - Noon. Each student must provide the basic 7 tool set (or equivalent), mallet, modeling spoon and the desire to learn the proper techniques to do western floral carving. Once you take this 2 hour basic class you will have a better working knowledge and proper techniques to lay out any floral pattern and tool it like a pro! Class fee is $15.00 Saturday October 10th Basic Basketweave Stamping Class. 10 – Noon. Ever have trouble lining up that basketweave tool? Or would you like to learn the proper way to line the tool up to make a diagonal basketweave design? This is the class for you! In this class each student will learn the proper techniques of using the most popular stamping tool of all time, the basketweave. We will provide instructions and materials to practice on, you provide a mallet, basketweave tool (X510 is the best one to learn with), wing divider, swivel knife, beveller and a camouflage tool or boarder stamp. Class fee is $15.00 Saturday October 17th Lacing & Stitching Class. 10:00 - Noon. In this 2 hour class we are going to teach you how to do the most popular lacing, the double loop lace, and how to saddle stitch with waxed thread. Then you’ll have no excuses to shy away from making anything you want because you use the excuse, “I don’t know how to do that”! Each student must provide a mallet, wing divider and one lacing and one stitching chisel. We will provide the needles, lace, thread and leather to learn with. Class fee is $10.00. Saturday October 24th. Leather Feather class 10:00 - Noon. Ever wondered how to make a leather feather? Then this class is for you. The finished project will be a piece that you will want to frame and hang on the wall or hang from your rearview mirror and impress your friends and family with. We have some of these hanging around our store for you to see. These feathers are a blast to make and soon you will be making them in various sizes. The possibilities are limitless once you get the techniques down! Cost of this 2 hour workshop is only $15.00. Saturday 31st Concealed Carry Holster Class 10:00 - Noon. In this 2 hour class we will take you through constructing a pattern off your weapon, choosing the correct kind of leather and construction of the holster all the way through molding the leather to the gun. There will not be enough time to teach tooling, but tooling will be discussed in this informative workshop. Since you will be watching and not actually doing in this workshop the class fee is only $10.00. Saturday November 7th Basic Tooling Class. 10:00 - Noon. Each student must provide the basic 7 tool set (or equivalent), mallet, modeling spoon and the desire to learn the proper techniques to do western floral carving. Once you take this 2 hour basic class you will have a better working knowledge and proper techniques to lay out any floral pattern and tool it like a pro! Class fee is $15.00 Saturday November 14th Coloring Leather Workshop 1:00 – 3:00. This is not an actual class where you need to provide any tools or a project to work on, but more of a demonstration of HOW to use our new Eco-Flo products to get the look you want. There is always a big demand for this class so get here early if you want a seat at the table; other wise you are welcome to stand and watch and ask questions. The class will start promptly at 1:00 and finish up pretty close to 3:00. This is an informal class where you watch me show and tell about these great new dyes, stains & finishes. Plus you will go away with the knowledge on how to get that fantastic finish on all your projects! There is no class fee for this workshop. Saturday November 21st Lacing & Stitching Class. 10:00 – Noon. In this 2 hour class we are going to teach you how to do the most popular lacing, the double loop lace, and how to saddle stitch with waxed thread. Then you’ll have no excuses to shy away from making anything you want because you use the excuse, “I don’t know how to do that”! Each student must provide a mallet, wing divider and one lacing and one stitching chisel. We will provide the needles, lace, thread and leather to learn with. Class fee is $10.00. To get the next class schedule sent to you please send us your email address. Other than handing the schedules out in the store, email is how we send the schedules out. And if you have not signed up to receive our Tand-E-Mail specials visit our web site today at: www.tandyleatherfactory.com to sign up. Each time we send out special sale prices and occasionally a free tooling pattern. Only those receiving the emails know about the fantastic savings and fun FREE pattern that are included in each issue. It is hard to believe by the time this class schedule is finished we will be staring 2010 in the face! This is the perfect time of the year to get started in doing leathercrafting. With the holidays just around the corner be sure to get busy now so it doesn’t creep up on you, like it does me every year!! Happy crafting, K.C. Kreger Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 1339 SW 59th Street, OKC, OK 73119. (877)428-5754 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Scarborough, ON, Canada Free-For-All Leathercraft classes Every Thursday (6pm-8pm) Medieval Craft classes (Making a drinking horn, armor making, and leather costume bits...) TBA Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 1654 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough, ON M1R 1P7. (800)236-4651 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Barrie, ON, Canada A Customer Appreciation Leathercraft Class How-to-Demonstrations: • Leathercraft stamping & carving • Lacing • Setting hardware • Customer requests Saturday, October 10th, (10am-2pm) Cost: Purchase a project of your choice at Tandy to work on. *Note: Class size is limited...sign up today! Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 511 Welham Rd. Unit 16, Barrie, ON L4N 8Z6. (800)450-3062 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Calgary, AB, Canada Basic Leathercraft classes Saturdays (10am-12pm) For 4 weeks, 2 hours per week. Cost: $80.00 *Classes are free for Wholesale Club Members or anyone who purchases one of our Leathercraft Sets (55509-00, 55510-00, 55512-01, or 4899-00). Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 7816 Macleod Trail SE, Calgary, AB T2H 0L9. (866)669-1768 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Edmonton, AB, Canada Beginner's Carving classes Wednesday, September 16th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, September 23rd, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, September 30th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, October 7th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, October 14th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, October 21st, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, October 28th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, November 4th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, November 11th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, November 18th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) Wednesday, November 25th, (6:30pm-8:30pm) FREE - Students must provide your own tools or purchase a Beginner's Kit. Open Session classes Saturday mornings (10am-12pm) *Bring in your leathercraft project and get assistance with any questions you may have, or learn the basics of leather craving at your own pace. FREE Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 17720 107th Ave., Edmonton, AB T5S 1G8 (866)487-7979 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Toronto, ON, Canada Leather Working class Saturday, September 19th Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 5562 Tomken Rd., Mississauga, ON. L4W 1P4. (866)608-8822 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Winnipeg, MB, Canada Leather Stamping & Tooling for Beginners class Saturday, September 26th, (10am-12pm) FREE for Wholesale Club Members, or purchase of Leathercraft Kit Class limit is 8 students. Intermediate Leather Tooling (Beveling & Burnishing) class Saturday, October 3rd, (10am-12pm) FREE w/ any purchase of $50.00 or more. Class limit is 8 students. Advanced Leathercraft (Finishing, Lacing, Stitching) class Saturday, October 10th, (10am-12pm) FREE to Wholesale Club Members Class limit is 8 students Handcrafting Belts & Cell Phone Cases class Saturday, October 17th, (10am-12pm) FREE w/ purchase of any belt blank or kit. Class limit is 8 students. Leather Braiding class Saturday, October 24th, (12pm-3pm) FREE w/ purchase of a braiding book, or any purchase over $50.00 Class limit is 8 students. Advanced Leather Braiding class Saturday, October 31st, (12pm-3pm) FREE to Wholesale Club Members Class limit is 8 students Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 30 Mandalay Dr., Winnipeg, MB R2X 2Z2. (800)561-4995 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Coweta, OK Belt Workshop class Saturday, October 17th, (10am-2:30pm) Cell Phone Case class Saturday, October 24th, (10am-2:30pm) Conceal Carry Holster class Saturday, November 17th, (9am-4pm) Please contact the store below for more class information. Mid-Continent Leather - 11150 S 265th East Ave., Coweta, OK 74429. (800)926-2061 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Chicago, IL Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 1041 Davis Rd., Elgin, IL 60123. (847)289-5227 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Mesquite, TX Wallet Making From Scratch classes Saturday, October 10th, (2 hours) Saturday, October 17th, (2 hours) * Workshop to teach students to make their own patterns, shape, glue, and stitch using a sewing machine. Adavnced Figure Carving class Saturday, October 24th, (2 hours for 4 weeks) * Learn the fine art of figure carving. Students must have all required tools for the class. Call to reserved your spot and for required tool list. Learning to Craft with Leather class Wednesday, October 7th, (2 hours) Bi-weekly. Location: Veterans Administration, Bonham, TX. * Students must be a Veteran or Active Duty Military. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 3201 Military Parkway #C-100, Mesquite, TX 75149. (972)289-5246 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Houston, TX Beginner/Intermediate Tooling classes Every Saturday, (10am-12pm) Cost: FREE * Student will need Basic 7 tools & mallet. Call by Wednesday to reserve your space. Basic Dying Techniques classes Every other Thursday, (10am-11am) Cost: FREE * Call by Wednesday to reserve your space. Basic Stitching & Lacing classes Every other Thursday, (10am-11am) Cost: FREE * Call by Wednesday to reserve your space. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 1703 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, TX 77489. (281)208-9293 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Wichita, KS. Creative Stamping class Saturday, October 14th, (5:30pm-8:30pm) Cost: $10.00 - Tools and leather provided. Cowboy Christmas Stocking / Small Chap Purse class Wednesday & Thursday, October 28th & 29th, (5:30pm-8:30pm) Cost: $100.00 - Leather provided. Make it - Take it project. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 1650 S Meridian, Wichita, KS 67213. (316)942-7773 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Grand Rapids, MI Basic Carving classes Every Saturday in September, (10am-12pm) and (2pm-4pm) Every Saturday in October, (10am-12pm) Mask Making class Every Saturday in October, (1pm-4pm) Cost: $20.00 Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 3134 S Division Ave. Grand Rapids, MI 49548. (616)452-8621 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Union City, CA 4-H Special classes Dates: As requested We support the 4-H in northern California area with special on-site or in-house classes. Contact: Rob Goodson about getting your group some leather instruction today! Saturday Open classes Every Saturday (10am-12pm) Charlie Warner and Rob Goodson teach guide and mentor all needing help, advice and a great learning time learning with other world class leathercrafters and helpful friendly folks! The longest running leather class in the bay area, and a great place to meet great folks. Friday Open classes for Spanish speaking leathercrafters Every Friday (5pm-7pm) Brian DeLeon and Rob Goodson will be happy to teach leathercraft in your favorite language. Scouting Special classes Dates: As requested We support all the Scouting programs in northern California area with special on-site or in-house classes. Contact: Rob Goodson about getting scouts some leathercarft instruction today! The Small Business of Leather Dates: As requested, 3 night, 9 hour course. Fee: $75.00 How to start and prosper in the creative leather work business with Rob Goodson. We cover Leather Business feasibility, the costs and real world experiences of running a profitable, successful business in the leather trade. We talk about how to set up, structure and succeed in Leathercraft, from the business perspective. How to read and create profit and loss sheets for leather craft, Inventory, cost controls and surviving those first lean years. Rob’s got a MBA, a Masters in Marketing and has taught and consulted on business topics with Fortune 500 firms to small business. In spite of this, He can help you get a business plan and profit plan together and start right with you adventure! Call today and find out when the next meeting dates are. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 2825 Whipple Rd., Union City, CA 94587. (510)441-7480 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - El Paso, TX Basic Leathercraft classes Every Saturday, (10am-1pm) Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 8340 Burnham Rd.#100, El Paso, TX 79907. (915)591-9199 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Tampa, FL Beginner's Carving class Saturday, October 24th Belt Making class Saturday, November 7th Snake Skin Buckle Making class Saturday, November 14th Leather Notebook Making classes Saturday, November 21st Saturday, December 5th Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 4951A E Adamo Dr. #126, Tampa, FL. (813)247-2460 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Baldwin Park, CA Basic Leathercraft classes Saturday, October 3rd Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 1376-A Maine Ave., Balwin Park, CA. (626)813-1570 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Salt Lake City, UT We are happy to teach specialized classes daily, as appointments or requests are made. We really teach customer classes daily, or work tables are used daily to teach anything from SCA armor, lacing, dyeing, holsters, mocassins, etc... All of our staff have their own specialty. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 1107 S State Street, Salt Lake City, UT. (801)531-7625 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Spokane, WA Leathercraft classes Saturday, October 10th, (10am-1pm) Saturday, October 17th, (10am-1pm) *Advanced class Saturday, November 14th, (10am-1pm) Saturday, December 12th, (10am-1pm) Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 28 W Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99201. (509)328-9939 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Phoenix, AZ Basic Swivel Knife and Tooling classes Every other Saturday (9:30am-11:00am) We do special custom group classes (schools, scouts, etc.) by appointment. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 425 N 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009. (602)271-4088 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Des Moines, IA Classes held every Saturday 9am-12pm Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 5041 NE 14th Street, Des Moines, IA. (515)265-6521 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Tucson, AZ Beginner Leathercraft classes Every Saturday (10am-12pm) Cost $6.00 Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 3651 E. 44th St., Tucson, AZ 85713. (520)519-0750 emailemail LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Portland, OR Basic Western Floral Tooling classes Saturday, September 19th, (1pm-3pm) Cost: $5.00 *This class covers basic tool usage, sequence, casing, interpretation. Class Sign/ Open Tooling classes Saturday, September 26th, (1pm-3pm) Cost: $5.00 *We will be working on our class sign. Bring tools to work on your design. We will be adding leaves, vines, flowers, and finishing the letters already in progress. Basket Stamping class w/ Chan Geer from Sheridan, WY Saturday, October 10th, (9am-6pm) Cost: $100.00 *This is a once-a-year class. Class size is limited, you must have your deposit in prior to October 1st. Sheridan Carving classes w/ Chan Greer from Sheridan, WY Saturday, October 9th, 10th, and 11th (9am-6pm) Cost: $200.00 *Project is a 3-ring binder. This is a once-a-year class. Class size is limited, you must have your deposit in prior to October 1st. Sheridan Carving class Saturday, October 24th, (1pm-3pm) Cost: $5.00 *We will be going over sheridan carving using Craftools. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 13221 N.E. Whitaker Way, Portland, OR 97230. (888)277-3360 emailEmail me LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Columbus, OH Basic Leather Carving classes Starts Wednesday, October 7th, continues for 6-8 weeks. *We will be making a billfold or checkbook cover. Gunbelt Making classes Starts Wednesday, December 9th, continues for 4-5 weeks. Cost: $25.00. *Cartridge belts, single & double drop buscadero style. The class is ideal for S.A.S.S., cowboy action & gun enthusiast alike. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 2100 Morse Rd. #4671, Columbus, OH. (614)781-1700 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Springfield, MO Basic LeatherTooling classes Held the first Saturday of the month for 4 weeks. *Introduction of leather tooling using the "Basic 7" tool set and the completion of three projects. Saddle Making classes Spring session meets for 6 hours every Saturday for 10 weeks - Cost $2,000.00 per student. Fall session meets for 6 hours every Saturday for 10 weeks - Cost $2,000.00 per student. *Make the saddle of your choice. No tooling intructions. Embossing class Spring session meets every Saturday for 4 weeks - Cost $125.00 + materials per student. Fall session meets every Saturday for 4 weeks - Cost $125.00 + materials per student. *Learn how to emboss a bear or eagle design. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 2341 E. Kearney, Springfield, MO 65803. (417)862-8669 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Fresno, CA Basic Carving & Stamping classes Wednesday, September 16th, (4pm-5:30pm) Wednesday, September 23rd, (4pm-5:30pm) Wednesday, October 14, (4pm-5:30pm) *Basic class for the beginning leathercrafter. Will go over general use of the basic seven tools and swivel knife usage. Bronc Halter classes Wednesday, September 30th, (4pm-5:30pm) Wednesday, October 7th, (4pm-5:30pm) *Pattern layout of bronc style halter, for floral carving and assembly. "Skiver" Newsletter Project classes Wednesday, October 21st, (4pm-5:30pm) Wednesday, October 28th, (4pm-5:30pm) *We will be doing the featured project from the "Skiver" newsletter. Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 2750 N. Clovis Ave. Ste. 107, Fresno, CA 93727 (559)291-5533 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Denver, CO Open Sessions and Demonstrations - Daily - Monday thru Friday Basic Carving classes Saturday, September 12th, (10am-12:30pm) Saturday, September 19th, (10am-12:30pm) Saturday, September 26th, (10am-12:30pm) Saturday, October 3rd, (10am-12:30pm) Saturday, November 7th, (10am-12:30pm) Saturday, November 14th, (10am-12:30pm) Saturday, November 21st, (10am-12:30pm) Holster Making classes Saturday, September 12th, (1pm-3:30pm) Saturday, September 19th, (1pm-3:30pm) Mask Making class Saturday, October 3rd, (1pm-3pm) Quiver Making classes Saturday, October 10th, (10am-1pm) Saturday, October 17th, (10am-1pm) Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory - 4488 Forest St., Denver, CO 80216. (303)333-2295 email LEATHERCRAFT CLASSES - Chattanooga, TN General Leathercraft classes Every Saturday morning (9am-11am) Please contact the store below for more class information. Tandy Leather Factory 6110 Bonny Oaks Dr. #C, Chattanooga, TN 37416. (423)855-7366 email

I cant think of anyone more deserving of those awards than you and Dave, Kathy!! There's actually something at these shows that's better than the leatherwork. It's the people!! You're never gonna find a better bunch of people anywhere. Here are a couple more really great photos, all courtesy of Danielle Martin. I can think of so many great captions for this photo, but I'm gonna let you all come up with your own )

A modeling tool can be used to smooth out some of your beveling marks. In a situation like this, I would just slightly wet the leather before starting to work with the modeling tool. I will just dip my finger into some water and dab it on the areas that I am going to work on. With the leather just slightly wet, the tool wont make deep marks into the leather, just smooth out the surface. Use of the smooth figure carving matting tools around the letters would make them stand out a little more. Use of a checkered matting tool would also help to hide some of the beveling marks. You've done a very nice job carving the letters, and the beveling isn't that bad. You just need to learn to "finesse" your work. If you learn to strike the beveler with even pressure as you are going around the letters, cleaning up will be easier. Running the beveler back over the uneven areas can also help hide the tracks. Hope that gives you some ideas to try.

Hey Bert, ditto all that for me! I saw several entries in the show that looked like they came straight out of Kathy's classes. That's pretty neat. I also saw some pictures from another member here of Kathy with a really neat plaque. Dave Smith and Jim Linnell had cool plaques too. I hope those pictures get posted here too, along with a story. Congrats to everyone that entered the show. As Bert said, all the leatherwork is impressive!

I've been adding the fall classes from lots of Tandy stores as I see the announcements coming out. There are also lots of Tandy stores that have regularly scheduled classes every week, every other week, etc., beginner, advanced, bring a project to work on sort of things. I didn't want to put those on the regular calendar as it might get really cluttered, but I wonder if there is somewhere we could have a list like that posted so people could check and see what was going on at their local Tandy or other leather store. I have been getting the list through facebook. I checked on the Tandy site and couldn't even find a list of all the classes there, maybe I didn't look in the right place. Just some of my thoughts on how we could make the calendar an even more useful tool.