ClayB

Hi Pete, Your post reminded me of a class I took once from Jan Schoonover. Jan always hands out scraps of leather from the same side of leather our project piece is cut from to mix paint on. He says it gives you a better idea of the color you have than if you mix colors in a plastic paint tray, or on a piece of white paper etc. The first class I took from Jan was at the store of a friend of mine, and when the class was over, she collected all these scraps that we used to mix paint on and tacked them up on the wall of her shop. Scraps, or art, it's all in the eye of the person looking.

Hi Josh, I dont think what Paul is looking for is donations (but who'd turn down free money?). I think the best way to make sure Paul can continue to offer these free lessons is to purchase some of his really in depth lessons OR send in something to have him critique it. I have all the lessons he has offered so far, and I know that if you study them, you are going to learn something from each of them, probably a whole lot. Take a look at the critique he did in this latest newsletter. Can you imagine if you could improve your work from the level that Paul Krause is at, to the level that Paul Burnett shows in his work? Having someone like Paul Burnett take a close, objective look at a piece of your work, and point out your strengths and weaknesses and tell you how to fix them has got to be worth way more than the $20 he is charging for that service. The first home study course I bought from Paul Burnett was way back in the early 80's I think. He had trouble back then getting enough people to sign up to make it profitable for him. He keeps plugging away at it, and keeps trying new ways to get his information out there. I hope that enough people find what he's trying to do of enough value that they will support his efforts, and give him the encouragement he needs to continue. And for those of you who haven't heard of Paul Krause before, check out his website

Paul Burnett has posted a newsletter for February2009. In this newsletter, he discusses the future of his free lessons, study courses, future projects, private lesson options, and personal critiques. He also goes through an indepth critique that he has done for Paul Krause on a carving project that Paul submitted. As always, there is a lot of information in this newletter. I hope that you will all check out the latest edition, and give Paul some feedback as he is trying to determine what the best methods for his continued teaching should be. You can find the latest edition of the newsletter here

Hi Martins and welcome to our forum. I looked at your website a couple days ago and you (or your mother) do some really nice work. It has a style that is a little different and really like it. I hope you will show a few pictures of your work here on the forum.

That's really pretty, you should be proud!!! Hope you and your daughter get to do a lot more projects like this.

how do you apply Neat Lac, Hilly? I think you get a lot less shiny look if you rub it in well with a piece of sheep skin than if you spray it on. It shouldn't look "plastic" with antique applied after that and sealed with something like tan kote.

I just got off the phone with Ellis, and he asked if I could update the price on this introductory tool set. As of the first of the year, the price was raised to $145 + $5 shipping. That still makes the price less than $10 per tool, and for tools of this quality, I think that's a pretty good price. I got a set of these for Christmas, have used them quite a bit, and I really like them. The bevelers really walk nice. The cams and veiners make really clean, sharp impressions. They have added 30 or more tools to this line of tools made out of 1018 steel. You can call them for an impression sheet, and a price list. I have one on the way, and will try and post it when it comes. Phone 520 642-3891 Email

You are right Harry. I wasn't suggesting using a steel hammer on a steel stamp. The stamps I was talking about are the Delrin maker stamps. Delrin is some sort of high tech plastic.

I was told by one of the guys that makes Delrin maker stamps (not sure if it was Jeff Mosby, or the guy that made mine who's name I wont mention) that you should use a steel hammer on the delrin stamp. I have a fairly heavy ball peen hammer that I use on mine and it helped with the double impression problem.

There is a leather show coming up April 24-26 that according to the brochure is 18 miles from downtown Chicago. You can get more info on the show here

we're having a heat wave here in ND too. It's been above 0 F for 2 days now!!! You're always welcome here Caroline. I'd even let you use the snow shovel if you want.

Good for you Caroline!!!!!! You're gonna have a great time. We're gonna be expecting a full report when you get back, and pictures too. Maybe I can send you a box full of doughnuts to feed the kids. Somebody keeps spreading rumors about my dog licking on them and nobody wants to eat them anymore.

Paul hasn't sent out an email in quite a while, but he said he is working on a new newsletter and tutorial, and that there should be some new stuff up in February. He said he will "explain his situation" in the newsletter.

We are getting new members all the time and a lot of them ask "what can I do to improve my carving?". One of the best things I know that you can do (besides just practice) is check out Paul Burnett's Painting Cow website. Go down to the bottom of the page and click on the button that says "Free online lessons, click here". Paul has several tutorial online (for FREE) that will really explain a lot of things. These lessons go into detail on things like proper moisture level for each step of leather carving, getting used to your swivel knife, how to "walk" tools, and what Paul calls "pictorial definition". I have described Paul's lessons as being like a college course in leather carving because instead of just telling you what to do, he also explains why. Everyone should sign up for these FREE newsletters. And if you do read them and get something out of them, please send Paul an email and let him know. I sent Paul an email yesterday just to see how things were going and he wrote back that he is working on a new newsletter and tutorial to come out in February. It sounds like Paul might be getting frustrated. Paul has been carving leather for a long time and is one of the true masters of the craft. Be it stamping belts with geometric tools, floral carving, figure carving, portraits, 3-D sculpture, or amazing coloring, Paul does it all. He was the first recipient of the Al Stohlman award, recognizing his excellence in working with leather, and his dedication to teaching others. Paul also offers several "courses" of instruction on his website. If you like his free stuff, you should consider getting one or more of his "home study courses". These lessons take you step by step in great detail on how to improve your leather carving, stamping, or coloring. I've read each and every one several times, and I know your leather work will improve if you study what Paul has to teach you. I know this is starting to sound like an advertisement for Paul, and I guess it is. Thing is, I don't want Paul to stop working on these lessons (free or for sale), thinking people aren't interested. Paul said almost all of his sales in 2008 were due to responses from people reading about his lessons right here on Leatherworker.net. I think it would be awesome if his website got bombarded with hits from people checking out his free lessons. It'd be even better if a few of you like what you see so much you decide to continue your education by purchasing a lesson or two from him.

Hi Josh, I dont know where you find the time to do all the stuff you do. I've tried those really tiny animals on a belts once or twice, I hated it. If you had to put a border on the belt, they'd have to be even smaller. So lets just make a law that tiny animal belts cant have borders It's really fun watching you keep trying new things. You're doing a great job!

Thanks for posting the picture of the guitar Gesa, even if it a year and a half later The detail in it is just as good as in the other pictures you posted. You NEED to post more pictures! (and we don't want to wait another year either)

Alright? That's REALLY nice!! It's really classy looking. What did you use to cut out the filligree? You did a really clean job of it.

I know Bruce and Denise helped move some posts around too. I bet some of the other moderators did to. For me, it's just part of the job, and I really enjoy it. (wish I enjoyed my real job as much) I too would like to encourage anyone that can to consider donating whatever you can to help keep this place running. Johanna does enough around here, she shouldn't have to worry about how she's gonna pay the bills too.

Oh come on, Grandpa Bert has such a nice ring to it!!! Congratulations Clay and I am really glad to hear baby and mommy are doing well.

Hi Fossil, Welcome to Leatherworker. I'm glad you are back to doing leatherwork and hope you enjoy spending some time here on our forum. Don't be scared to throw in a plug for your wife's store too. We have quite a few Tandy managers that are members here and we are glad they are.

Hey, your story sounds familiar. I started doing leatherwork in junior high school too, and it was over 30 years ago too. I'm glad you picked up your tools again. It looks like you didn't forget much. The staps looks nice and I bet your dad is going to love it. Weclome to Leatherworker. I hope we get to see more of your work in the future.