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JLSleather

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Posts posted by JLSleather

  1. Posted · Report reply

    You'd think I could do this in my sleep. Back in the day, I made a black basketweaved belt with a velcro closure for a cop for his uniform (apparently, he was tired of taking off his belt to go through the metal detector). Course, his buddies saw it and I had to make 10 more. Then they all needed those little badge-shaped belt-worn key holders, and about half of them wanted matching wallets. Then he's got buddies who are cops in another place ... While I like that basketweave look - even in black - enough was enough. Didn't touch it much at all for years. No template, just start "whacking" and it came out right. Then just recently I went to basketweave part of that checkbook, and ended up picking my nose :)

    I was at a Tandy store last week, took a look at those embossed belts, maybe just do that, should be painless. But I hate the idea that when you cut the length - there goes your border. Just doesn't look right, much less professional. So, a little basketweave brush-up... soon as I get these bags done.

    THANKS AGAIN, ART!

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Just received another order from the Leather GUy. Listed on supplier page. Just givin' these folks a "attaboy", some folks outta Minnesota with some gorgeous linings. Four types of skins from them, all of them very nice and very reasonably priced. Thought some of the other kids might wanna know ... :)

    Still looking for a steady supplier of quality chrome tanned for bilfold / clutch linings. This stuff is great looking, but a bit heavy (my wife wants a purse out of the "distressed" brown 3 oz cow side) for small projects. NOTE: Whatever I use should not have "pig" anywhere in the name no.gif

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Wow, open that site (Monica) and there's a single holster in yer face (NICE). Good even tone, good color, nice stitching.... sue-weett.

    I DO know what you mean, WW ... I have a few craftaids, but I try to make each one a little different. I wonder if some folks realize just how many patterns they really have. Oh, well, that's another topic, and you've covered this one well. THANKS!

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Generally do this by hand, but here's something comes to mind ... set the project on something clean that's about 1/32" taller than the border (2mm should do it) and fits inside of it. This "jack" gives you a solid surface to skive on without smashing the border (just a thought, but a piece of thin plywood or waferboard should do it AND be easy to cut). Then - if your skive is a long one, a straight edge and a couple of C-clamps should do it (maybe a piece of the plywood leftovers under the clamp).

  9. Posted · Report reply

    for me, etsy is too 'crafty' and it commoditizes your skills and product and its all too easy for the shopper to compare you with others on the site.

    Jeff

    This is an issue with me. Had a guy here about a week ago, looked through some of my stuff. Holding a new bilfold wallet, he looked at me with pleasant surprise and said "And it looks FINISHED. It don't even look like crafts".

    Too many "crafters" seem to think if you bash it a bit with a stamp (and maybe add some lace and/or beads) then it's "crafted" and somehow worth about 15 times what it cost in materials. End result, much of the "outside" thinks it's SUPPOSED to look like you dragged it behind your truck.

    I would have thought that comparing my work next to some others' would be my best advertising. Yeah, I know that's arrogant, but if I didn't think I was doing it right, I'd do it different. I'm not kidding ... some of this stuff makes me wonder -- WHAT DID THAT COW EVER DO TO YOU? I'm always trying to improve ... it's not that I think I'm doing it all flawlessly , just that some of what I see is THAT bad.

    But, truth is, quality means little alot of the time. I've seen (LOTS) times where a very nice, attractive, functional leather item has been passed over to get at a rough-looking, clearly inferior product. In fact, there's the point ... they appeared to want the "crafty" one. Lace with frayed edges, plated tin buckles, heavy applications of acrylic dyes, etc ...

    Now, long as I'm on that line, I want to just say that because the items are selling - does NOT equal quality. I could go on (and on) but here's a couple of short examples to make that point ...

    The guy who "invented" the "pet rock" ... $millions

    The guy who came up with "Got milk?" .... $millions

    SpongeBob SquarePants ... yeah, we all know that one ...

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Agreed. While I've not personally built a saddle, I do have a pretty good idea of the time and work that goes into those things. My brother's brother in law had a leather shop in Houston for quite a spell. Personally, I wouldn't know at a glance the difference between a roper and a wade ... but now that I've been kicked in the pants a bit (no offense taken) you can bet I'll find out (at which time I'll be back to personally thank any and all saddle builders who lit that fire under me).

    You are right, of course, when you say I don't understand the situation. This is why I used general facts about this TYPE of case, blended with just the right amount of humor about the following side of my wife :)

    Make no mistake, because I haven't built a saddle doesn't mean I can't appreciate them. In fact, my whole leathercraft CAUSE is making attractive items that have a PURPOSE (I like "pretty" stuff, but I like to see it get used). Guy has the drive, the artistic talent, and the desire to build a saddle has earned some respect. No mistake that I use the term saddle BUILDER.

    Please take no offense at any of my comments, I meant only to clarify and help. One of you boys (n girls) finds my comments at all objectionable, feel free to invite Johanna to this written permission to delete them, no offense taken.

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Preface this next thing with a clear statement that I know leather, and leather craft, and leather workers, but have never made a saddle (of any type or style). I do know something about the legal system. I'm not from Texas, but I think the laws are pretty standard (though not universal). Now, that said, with the understanding that the boss lady reserves the right to delete it and the saddle boys (n girls) are not s'posedta sock me in the eye ...

    A photograph that is placed on the internet which has no copyright or patent rights is "public domain". Don't know of anywhere you can be prosecuted for copying what is clearly not "private".

    A sick spouse (or one whose backside has been altered through the years) is no defense for anything. Anywhere. If you stole from me to feed your kids, I just might forgive it, but not defend it.

    Deliberate misrepresentation of an item for sale is fraud just about anywhere. But to prosecute, you may need to prosecute in the state where the fraud happened. This is likely to be a civil matter as well, but a fella would have to show that actual damage occurred (ie, I lost these sales, I had to pay these fees, ...).

    I would have thought Ebay would want to NOT be involved in this, though you can bet with the amount of money that goes through there they have plenty of their own lawyers. It is possible that one or more of these attorneys has told them NOT to act. Here's the deal... A guy posts a photo of an item. Someone else says - hey, that's my item and he has no right to it. Ebay doesn't know, and to remove a listing without actual knowledge may give the appearance of taking sides, even though they'd rather not.

    Ebay members don't seem to have a preference. I've seen some "leathercraft" on there where the best "feedback" I could give is to manage not to puke. And it sells anyway. And I'm sure that there are plenty of those who, if you could prove the item is stolen, would buy it anyway if it's what they want and they could be persuaded thy can get away with it.

    It becomes, then, a matter of personal integrity. Which is not prosecutable or actionable. If the photo was copied, I doubt there's much that can be done, unless someone went in to your shop to photograph it. If the PRODUCT was stolen that's another matter. Upon receipt of evidence of that, Ebay would become a "conspirator", a "party", and equally liable for any damages. On the other hand, I don't know of any laws which would prevent someone from copying and posting one of my photos and saying "It's one LIKE this".

  15. Posted · Report reply

    I like that much better. One step further with the lines you reversed ... when you cut the design, make the lines you changed PART OF the foremost petal ...

    Instead of this ...

    This ....

    And maybe a little wider, to help with the illusion that it's closer, so that you have this ...

    Or, short version, something like this ..

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Tough to design from anywhere but YOU, since you're the one who knows what you're trying to end up with. A suggestion, though ... I really thing your flowers will look more natural if you bevel the lead petal the other way (lines marked in red beveled TOWARD flower center) and use a little smaller stop tool.

  22. Posted · Edited by JLSleather · Report reply

    You are absolutely correct I didn't recieve anything. No worries!

    I was really looking forward to this thing. Weird for me, cuz usually I'm the last guy to care about such things. While I appreciate your gracious attitude, I'd really like to conform more closely to the selfish pig that I am and have my fun in this thing smile.gif

    I'll send you a pm, so you can confirm that I didn't send the thing to the wrong address (on top of pig-ish, I'm not that bright, either). I thought I'd missed out, but if other folks aren't "done" yet, I can still get in ...

    Really? Message blocked? Well, Okay. ...

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Is "tan" what you're calling the color on the far right in your pic? If so, I'd be interested in one each of the "tan", black and the lighter brown (the kind that's next to the "tan" in your pic.) I might even want the darker brown too. How soon are you looking to part with them? I'm in Virginia.

    Yep, only one of the "tan" (or British Tan, I forget - pic is pretty close, though) On the far right.

    Up to you folks when they go outta here ... I can't get to use them for a WHILE (hoping to do less lacing and more stitching anyway), so you 'guys' can figure what you need. I just want the room in my shop (which is already small enough) and I'm NOT throwing them out, so you let me know when you need it.

    Virginia must be a few days out ... I sent a small package out there two days ago and I see it isn't delivered yet...

    I've gotta finish that painting, so I'll leave it to you folks to read any posts above you and not "crowd" what the last guy wanted :)

  25. Posted · Report reply

    I have WAY more lace than I'll use for a good while. Tandy calfskin lace, full spools but not new (stored). Two black, two each of two shades of brown, one that's maybe "tan".

    Selling for $12/spool plus actual shipping, or 7 rolls for $75 and the shipping is my problem. Maybe help somebody who likes lacing more than I do (that's not all of it, I'll still have some).

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