ClayB

ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL LEATHER TOOLERS! The generous folks at the Western Folklife Center are repeating their “Gathering of Masters” carving class again this year! The event is being held in conjunction with the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, The Great Basin Gear Show and Sale and a number of related trade shows, in Elko, NV. Last year's event was a sellout, so if you missed that class, this is your chance! The format is designed for intermediate toolers. Last years students included intermediate and advanced carvers and professional saddle makers as well. Students chose patterns from the examples provided by the instructors and were assisted over the two days in the completion of their piece. Last year's lineup of award winning instructors are returning again this year. They are Don Butler, Steve Mecum Gaylerd Thissle, Doug Krause, Andy Stevens and Bob Park. This group of instructors represent a wide variety of carving styles which affords the student with a unique opportunity to expand their skills. DATE: January 31, & February 1, 2012 LOCATION: Elko Convention Center, Elko, NV COST: $325 per person which includes catered lunches. Class will be limited to the first 35 students. Tickets will be available to WFC members on September 6th, 2011 at www.westernfolklife.org. Tickets will be available to the general public on October 6th, 2011. CONTACT: For information contact Andy Stevens at 308-991-2364 NOTE: Students will be required to provide their own tools, stamp rock, pencils, paper and tracing film, Tooling leather will be provided.

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UNITED KINGDOM OPEN HOUSE & WORKSHOPS - Make your plans now to see demonstrations by cutting edge leather artist Charlie Davenport during the Open House Sale Event. Charlie will be conducting demonstrations, workshops and Q&A sessions June 17-19. Topics covered will include swivel knife techniques, Eco-Flo products, and using leather plugs. Attend a workshop to make a necklace. Call for details and times. Phone: 01604-647910, Toll Free: 0800-085-676. Tandy Leather Factory - United Kingdom, Unit 2, Crofton Oak, N Portway Close, Round Spinney Industrial Estate. Northampton, EN NN3 8RD United Kingdom.

Friday June 24th & Saturday June 25th Big Horn Sheep Embossing Class. This is a two day class with Fridays session starting at 6:00 and going until around 8:30 pm. Then on Saturday, beginning at 9:30 and going till we finish around 4:00, we’ll share with you the techniques for doing the extreme embossing techniques on leather. Each student will make their very own masterpiece that can be framed and displayed once finished. We will be using a pattern taken out of “Figure Carving” on page 58. The cost of this class is $45 and all materials will be included. Each student must already have basic tooling skills, and both days are required to complete the project. Plan to bring a mallet, swivel knife and any smooth pearshaders and bevellers along with any figure carving bevellers and modeling spoons. For more info, contact Manager: K C Kreger email 1339 SW 59th St Oklahoma City, OK 73119 USA Phone: 405-685-9999 Fax: 405-685-9997 Toll Free: 877-428-5754

Location Miles City Saddlery, Miles City, MT Cost $95 Time: 9:00 to 5:00 Saturday, May 14 9:00 to finish on Sunday, May 15 Tools to bring: Basic carving tools of their preference, including camouflage, shaders, bevellers, veiners, small and large seeders, stop, mule’s foot, backgtound of their choice. In addition to these basics they should bring small & large matting tools, fine hair blade, and a modeling spoon. I’m sure they will need to bring a mallet, marble, tracing stylus, swivel knife, strop, and other basic carving stuff. They might also bring some wing dividers for their border and edge finishing equipment as well. I will provide everything for dying and finishing, supplies for hand sewing, leather and pattern. I’m sure that just like last time, there will be a 2 day history of leather work, that goes on with this. I’m sure there will be some more show-n-tell like the last time. I will bring along a few important pieces of historic leather carving that I have in my collection and who knows what all Jack will pull out of his archives. As mentioned, each student will get to stamp their project with a limited edition makers stamp, indicating that it was made at the Miles City Saddlery. The notebook will be a classic Miles City Saddlery vintage pattern, handmade at the Miles City Saddlery, where craftsmen like Ken Griffin, Bob Dellis and many others perfected their skills, and the class will be instructed by a Miles City native. It will be a lot of fun and the education should be more than just how to build a leather project. Jim Linnell For additional information contact Leon Sevier or Jim Linnell The Miles City Saddlery has seen many well known leather craftsmen working at and perfecting their craft within its walls. Some of the more notable, like Ken Griffin, F.O. Baird, and Bob Dellis you have probably heard of, but many others who did equally magnificent work took their turn at this institution as well. These craftsmen went on to influence the look, style and technique of leather carving throughout Western USA. It is no wonder that a genuine Miles City Saddlery saddle is one of the most sought after pieces of western memorabilia at auctions today. On May 14 and 15, this famous saddle shop will be hosting a leather carving workshop conducted by 2002 Al Stohlman Award recipient, Jim Linnell. Jim is a Miles City native and he grew up being influenced by the work turned out by the craftsmen of the Miles City Saddlery. He has taken his passion for leather carving that was developed in Miles City and passed it on to thousands through classes on the craft taught across the USA and in many foreign countries. This master craftsman will be returning to his roots as he leads participants in this workshop through the creation of a notebook carved in the traditional style of the Miles City Saddlery. When finished, participants will stamp their notebook with a Limited Edition Maker’s Stamp created for this event, indicating that it was made at the Miles City Saddlery. They will go home with a very unique piece of western memorabilia and a taste of leather working history and culture they will not soon forget. Space is limited, so don’t take too long deciding on being a part of this rare opportunity. The Miles City Saddlery is a little bit of a museum to leather working and Jim has promised to bring a few pieces from his collection. To go along with the workshop, there will likely be a 2 day seminar on the history of leather work as students immerse themselves in their work. For more information, detailed schedule and materials list, contact Leon Sevier To sum up; There will not be a lot of opportunities to learn leather carving techniques at the historic Miles City Saddlery where so many great leather craftsmen polished their skills, in a workshop conducted by internationally known, master leather craftsman and Miles City native, Jim Linnell, where students will create a notebook with a classic Miles City pattern, stamped with a Limited Edition Maker’s stamp. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this one.