ClayB

Stretch could be caused by a combination of several things, but it's easy to prevent. I use rubber cement to glue my leather to a piece of cardboard (cereal box) before stamping. Some people glue it to x-ray film, plexi glass, or apply packing tape to the back of the leather before stamping on it. Do a search here on the forum and you will find lots of different ideas. One thread where it was discussed is http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.p...amp;#entry12918

I'm with the rest of them. That is really COOL!!!!

Does that mean Kate has other hobbies besides leatherwork?????? Sorry, Freak's been quiet so I'm filling in for him.

I have had the same problem and it was frustrating, but then found out the same thing Ken did. If you hit the fast reply once or maybe twice, my message usually comes back.

Please do! I would love to see your project progress and the explaination as to how you do it. Your work is wonderful and I would like to see the differences in the techniques you use compared to what we generally use here in the US.

I talked to Jan Schoonover on the phone today and got quite a bit of good news. First, he has recovered from all the health problems he was having last time I talked to him back in May. He said he was feeling great and his vision is back to normal. He also told me that the class he is teaching at the end of the month in Billings (a bobcat) will be taped and that hopefully he will have videos available from it. I asked if he was still considering writting a book with instructions for his extreme embossing techniques and he said the first chapter has been written and he sold out of it. The first chapter is a complete lesson on carving an Arabian horse with step by step instructions and color photos. Jan said he hoped to have more copies of the lesson printed by the time of the next class which is at the end of this month. He said if I showed up at the class, I could check it out. I wasn't planning on going, but he also said if I went, I might be able to be in the video. Maybe I will go if gas isn't $4 a gallon by then. I'll keep you posted on his instructional materials as I find out more. Check out the calendar here on Leatherworker.net for more details on Jan's latest class or http://www.sculpturedleather.com for a look at what Jan does.

Regis, Here is info for some of the custom tool makers. Some have websites, some of the sites don't work, some of them dont have pictures of the tools, but I think the contact info is still good. Jeremiah Watt Vandyke Ranch HC1, Box 34 Coalinga, CA 93210 559-935-2172 email http://www.ranch2arena.com Barry King 1751Terra Avenue Sheridan, WY 82801 307-672-5657 email view his catalog http://montanaleather.com/barrykingtools.htm Robert Beard 36 Road 5243 Farmington, NM87401-1541 email http://robertbeardtools.com Wayne Jueschke Box 1895 Elko, Nevada 89803 775-738-4885 Ellis Barnes Gomph-Hackbarth Tools (The Belt Company) 10754 Martineau Rd N Elfrida, AZ 85610 Phone: 520-642-3891 Chuck Smith Tools PO Box 2647 Valley Center, CA 92082 Phone: 760-749-5755 Fax: 760-749-5355 Website: http://www.leathercrafttools.com email

I hadn't paid a lot of attention to Wayne's stamps, but there is some really great detail in that stamp!!!

It was 65 here in North Dakota on Saturday, but the wind blows no matter what the temperature is. One morning last week it was 6 degrees when I got up. No snow yet and we aint complaining about that. Everyday for the next few months that it doesn't get below zero is a good day up here.

I agree with Don. I know it takes talent to do the lettering and make it look neat and clean, but to me it just looks like an advertisement for them. You should be doing the advertisement for YOU. Your past artwork has been awesome and I think they should let you use your imagination and talent to really make your (their) seats custom.

You could try using the larger figure carving bevelers. They are used to matt away from figures and by tilting them, you should be able to matt as far away from the figure as you want with some practice.

Hi Aaron, Welcome to Leatherworker.net. We are glad to have you here. Thanks for helping to spread the word about the forum, the updates from Barry King, and for explaining some of the things people wonder about dealing with TLF. It would be great if Barry decided to join us here and a live chat with him would sure be fun.

Another thing you can do is click on MY CONTROLS at the top of the main page. When the next page opens up, scroll down to Options on the left side of the page and then click on Email Settings. When that page opens, go to the bottom of it and click the box by Enable 'Email Notification' by default? If ticked, choose default type: No Email Notification Immediate Email Notification Delayed Emailed Notification Daily Email Digest Weekly Email Digest Enabling this option will automatically subscribe you to any topic you start or reply to. You will then get an email notification if someone responds to a topic you started or replied to and the email will contain a link to take you directly to that topic.

Whipit, Thanks for taking the time to write this up. I think it's going to be really interesting, and so far your instructions seem really well done. Not sure if I will try it myself or not, but I really am interested in learning what all is involved in the proccess. I'll be waiting for the next lesson. Couple questions. You said your storage container is 44 gallons. Are the rubbish bins larger, smaller, or does it matter? Is there someplace that tells what type trees in different parts of the world work best for tannins?

I use IE and have never had a problem with the profiles showing the whole time anyone else has been reporting problems.

That really is a beautiful saddle. I have had the picture up on the screen since last night when I first saw it and I keep going back to it. I would have thought floral, basketweave, AND a serpentine border would have to be just too much, but you really brought it all together and made it look great. The large pictures make it nice to see how you carved things and you did some interesting things. I like the large viener instead of pear shading some of the leaves. I haven't figured out what you used instead of a seeder for some of the flower center, but it looks neat. It almost looks like you rolled the edge on you seat cutout, did you? On the first inlaid padded seat I did, the inlay set a little below the seat leather like it looks like yours does at the back. I was told that was wrong so on my second one, I used two layers of padding and then it stuck up above the seat leather. I am wondering how much padding should there be. Great looking saddle. Glad you found Leatherworker and thanks for sharing the pictures. Clay

Might not be tooling, but it's still really cool! I like it too.

Whipit, I would sure be interested in hearing how you do your own veg tanning if you have time to explain it sometime. I am sure there are a few others that might be interested too. Welcome to leatherworker.net. Glad to have you with us.

http://braintan.com/

Mike, I dug out the patterns, and the sizes look to be the same as what you have. It says they have to be carved to EXACT SIZE- NO EXCEPTIONS, so you you probably want to get the patterns from them just to be sure. There aren't any picture of what they look like carved, just the patterns. The patterns sure look like they would be suited for a lot of embossing and cutting or lifting if you are into that sort of thing. The other thing is to make sure if you want to enter the contest you are registered by February 13th. There is a form on the pullout section or you can call 715 362 5393.

It didn't say anything about how the pattern could or couldn't be carved so I am guesing you can do what ever you want. If you want to be sure, email Dave at the Journal and ask him.

That sounds like the same patterns, I am not sure of the sizes, will have to measure them. I'll get back to you though.

In the May/June 2007 issue, The Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal announced a leather portrait carving contest to be held at the Southwest Leather Worker's Trade Show in Wickenburg, AZ. This announcement was in the pattern pull-out section along with the patterns for the contest, so you may have missed it if you didn't check out that section. The patterns for the contest were drawn by Bill Gomer, Al Stohlman award winner and master saddle maker. The patterns are of a mules head, two mules heads, and a perched eagle. Contestants will compete for prize money: $500 1st place Mule's head $400 1st Place Eagle $400 2nd Place Mule's head $300 2nd Place Eagle $300 3rd Place Mule's head $200 3rd Place Eagle Guidelines Each enty must be done entirely by one individual Entries must be carved and stamped on standard veg-tanned, stamping leather Must be carved same size as pattern in pattern pull-out section of May/June 2007 issue All carved and stamped/tooled surfaces must be colored or stained Background scenery is encouraged Framing not necessary, but contestants are welcome to frame thier entries Entry fees are $25 per person per carving Contestants can enter one project per pattern Winners will be announced at the show's banquet Thursday evening. The orignal announcement stated that contestants must be present to win, but that was changed due to popular demand. Shipping fees and insturctions for you completed carvings are avaiable upon request. Registration form and fee must be postmarked by Wednesday February 13th, 2008 Entries must be present at the show for judging by Monday March 3rd, 2008, 5PM For more information, contact the Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal at 222 Blackburn Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501-3777 or call 715 362 5393. Email Journal

If you open the PDF document "ticket" it gives the address for the LeatherCraft Guild under the ticket. You can also request a ticket by email and pay via PayPal.