JLSleather

WOw, since 2010? Here's a thought .. because you were not prosecuted or sued for an action does not mean that your action was legal or priveleged. ONE problem that almost auto arises when you sell or attempt to sell protected material. If you do it and see no repurcussion, you may incorrectly assume that you "got away with it". May be closer to the truth that the "injured party" has allowed you to earn income from their property. In this way, when it does go to law, they have an arguable AMOUNT of DAMAGES for which they can show injury. May be that you're working for someone else and simply don't know it yet. For the more country minded -- if you jump the fence and fish my pond, I might just let you fish. If later I get hankerin' for fish, I could just call the game warden. Any fish you caught on my property are mine. Even if I have to wait while those are used as evidence, I still have the fish in the pond and will eventually be recompensed for the fish you obtained illegally.

Is it in the leather, or the padding under the leather? Pretty tough to "dent" dry leather, but under that is probably masonite and some sort of padding.

Even if you don't like the not-quite-finished belt, you have to admit this is adorable She picked the colors. When I showed her the first mix, she said that was "dark" purple, but "still cute", so I had to thin it further.

Pics in my gallery to save space here. belt blanks (8/9 oz and 7/8 oz), leather that was cut out to make a two handbags, complete with lining leather, (sample of same bags shown below) 5 or 6 spools of leather lace mostly 3/32", 3 'Victoria' clutch purse kits (with the brass snap frame and such), 1 unopened 'Nanette' clutch purse kit (photo of example I did a while back) 1 credit card wallet kit (again, photo shows same style in kit) Some of this spoken for, I'll update as needed...

We quit the Etsy scene [in part] because of all the jewelery surrounding the leather. Cheryl makes jewelery WITH (and from) leather... see now that makes sense

I haven't used the oil dyes in quite a while, but Fiebing's site says to use the same reducer as their other dyes. http://www.fiebing.com/catalogue/dyes/?product=188

Gotta watch which of the "shows" you go to. Wife signed up for one over the summer - some nice stuff in there. Big sellers for the weekend ... OTC cosmetics discounted and some bricks with a college football team logo painted on them :&^T($^^%@#%#

Just got into the shop for a bit, taking a break already I have wallet parts (3/4 oz and some lining leather), belt blanks (8/9 oz and 7/8 oz), leather that was cut out to make a two handbags, complete with lining leather, (sample of same bags shown below) 5 or 6 spools of leather lace mostly 3/32", 3 'Victoria' clutch purse kits (with the brass snap frame and such), 1 unopened 'Nanette' clutch purse kit (photo of example I did a while back) 1 credit card wallet kit (again, photo shows same style in kit) There is more, just gotta get organized (which is the reason for the sale and the sale pricing). To be clear, the leather you would receive is NOT tooled or painted, totally natural. Photos show the same STYLE of item. Oh, and several "wander" bags (small kit for hand or belt use) no zipper sewed in

I'm cleaning up around here and need some space. Getting back to leatherwork more often but need to finish some home projects (new siding half done, and I'll be doing some plumbing ABOVE my shop). Selling good quality materials at big discounts. If I don't have it, I don't have to move it 5 times! I have some leathercraft clutch purse kits, some leather already cut out for handbags (including lining leather), some wallet and checkbook parts, belt blanks, half a dozen spools of leather lace, a few craftaids, patterns & books, not sure what else until I get in there. Not selling the tools, as I can wipe those off and get going. More when I get organizing. Pictures as I get time, but message if you have interest in some of what I mentioned. These will not be seen on Ebay (I hate that camp). Shipping in US only, Paypal is preferred. Personally rather see this stuff go to someone "new" and learning, but not necessary.

Not to say the site is good or bad, just another angle ... We quit Etsy because we just couldn't see our leather 'showcased' along side of jewelry and t-shirts.

I'm usually not a fan of straight black, but I gotta say that JUST what the sidearm needed! Looking good!

You're welcome These images were chosen because: 1) the first is the maple leaf you are doing. 2) the first pic shows a smooth shader and a depressed background, the second shows a 'checked' shader and a tapered background Here's one more with the maple shaded with a 'checked' shader (old Stohlman design).

I've seen some kits containing good leather, others it was easy to see why they hid it in a box! As a rule, even if you find good leather in them, they are priced way too high. But that's also true at "suppliers", you get more bang for the buck buying larger pieces and cutting your own. The kit you show is priced at $15 plus shipping. At most suppliers, you can get decent leather to make 18-20 belt straps for the price of 4 of those kits.

Fix the machine ... replace the girl.

Handy! Wouldn't work for me, though - I'd see that box and think fishin', and then there goes the leather work ...

I see what you mean about the oil darkening, but truth is these look NICE

Actuallly, the point of "custom" is you're not doing what everybody else is doing - That's actually some carefully placed color, so you must have a pretty steady hand! Looks like you tried to 'buff out' the "oops", which only makes it more obvious. Oil, antique, and such, will only magnify this area, so I'd color it (or tool that area further). I personally like pale color more than heavy shades, but like I said that's preference (and I NEVER use any 'antique').

Keep in mind the tools listed on your craftaids are "suggested" tools. Remember that Craftool makes craftaids AND craftool stamps, so if "they" can show you something done with craftools they may sell more craftools! (I use craftools myself). Bottom line, you'll likely want a "shader" or a thumbprint" (depending on the brand) to form the rough contour of the leaves. Checked bevelers 'burnish' a bit more than smooth ones, so personal preference (Pic 1) On something the size of a book cover, I prefer to use a coarse backgrounder around the design to set it apart rather than matting the entire area (pic 2) Hope this helps ...!

I'm not a fan of Tandy tools (don't be naive, some of the tools you buy elsewhere came from Tandy), but I get wholesale pricing just for having a registered business in Iowa (no membership fee). I buy quite a bit of leather there, but only if I can get there to pick it out myself. There Royal Meadow 3/4 oz is nearly flawless in a 22-25 foot side, carves well, and dyes just as nicely. It's a bit more 'blonde' than the 'russet' color you get lots of places, but I LIKE the pale color (lets me get more color combinations). Dyes, finishes, adhesives, and most linings I get from S-T Leather out of St Louis.

I get ALL my lining leathers and spirit dyes from there, contact cement (their kidsksin makes a great looking liner - and strong - at LESS money than other suppliers charge for cheap junk). I have a spreadsheet I just fill in with what I need and send in an email, never any problems. First order from them in1985, and never a problem.

No time to photo today, but this is pretty simple anyway. I may have mentioned, this takes some lining leather, a shears, a knife, some type of punch, and contact cement (you could use rubber cement, preference). And all the pattern pieces. So, I usually dig the stuff out, make (at least) 10 liners, and set them off to the side for when I need them. Course, that doesn't help when you get somebody who wants ONE wallet lined with some other color ...

Sorry this is taking me so long folks At one time, I had a .pdf file in the computer that showed the pieces full size and also how to go about it. No longer in there. &$%&@#%@ Not a problem, just re-write, and once it's all in there anyone that wants it can have a copy. Just print it out, cut out the paper patterns (or make longer lasting ones). THEORY is that if the pattern ever wears out, you just print another one. I say "THEORY" because that only works if you make sure it's been kept on the computer Fortunately, I got my nose rubbed in it early enough to avoid an issue! Working on it ... not so very far ott.

I'm guessing this was already cracked and just wasn't visible until the bending. The bend isn't that sharp, and even dry as a bone I can't see THAT bend causing a crack. Personally, I'd ask the store if this is the type of thing they want to advertise. Guy at the Tandy may not have even known about it himself, but they should be willing to replace it. With a replacement, you're still out the time invested. But that's the way I'd go, instead of being out that time, plus the time of repairing, and then still having the crack in the grain. I'd ask the store to replace it and start over. Just my OP.

I still cut them from patterns I got somewhere in the 70's. Made to suit the standard wallet back. I usually cut them from 2 oz calf or goat. I'm including a photo of one of these 'installed'. This particular style is in brown goatskin with the removable photo case. Inexpensive to make. I usually just take a day every so often to cut and glue 10-20 of them so they're ready to go when needed. Send me a message if this is the style you were considering, and I'll send you the pattern. Oh, yeah .. it fits this type of wallet ...

Oil is not a "sealer" so it won't keep further treatments from penetrating. No problem. Some folks actually prefer to oil before dye.