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JLSleather

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Posts posted by JLSleather

  4. Posted · Report reply

    ... the customer's idea with my input making it happen. Subsequent products are more my own.

    ...I'm not an artist and wouldn't pretend to be one...I rely on real artists for illustrations, line art and the like ... my design process relies on other people's contributions although the final build decisions are mine.... I look at pieces of work and re-design them to suit my style of working and aesthetics...At the end of the day, I'm making my own patterns for the things I sell and this gives me a lot of satisfaction... hours trying to find the best way to make these complex projects come together...

    I know you didn't ask this but:

    One of the things that makes me most angry about this forum is the way some people assume that others will provide them with free patterns that have taken hours of sweat to develop. It makes me even more angry when they forget to say thank you afterwards.

    One of the things I like best is that there are still good-hearted people who will continue to offer help, patterns, advice, instructions and tutorials without payment or acknowledgement.

    Ray

    Wow, Ray, that sounds so ... European. Maybe it sounded different writing it than it does reading it, but if you read your own post - that sounds like an artist to me.

    I don't know any "design professionals", but I have known a few artists (though they didn't see it that way). One guy - Jim - would, given a piece of #2 pencil lead, a wad of toilet paper, and 45 minutes, draw a landscape so real you'd think you could walk into it, except you didn't need to cuz you were ALREADY IN IT. And Howard - aka "Curly" - could play a 6-string acoustic guitar all day and never use the same note twice (at least it seemed that way to me) and in my opinion should have abandoned that labor job for a concert hall.

    I develop my point further ...Much has been said, and rightly so - about Mr. Al Stohlman. Al's books - there's some beautiful work in there. While I think Mr. S. had a legitimate desire to aid other crafters, the bottom line here is that Al made REALLY good money, for a long time, carving someone else's leather for discussion more than for practical use. Perhaps worth mentioning, he got paid BECAUSE the distributor knew they could make money by "subcontracting" Al's work (and disposition).

    THEREFORE ... I think it's good for the guy who is learning to carve, bevel, and shade to use these "patterns" -- in the sense that you then have something to compare your work to. But I also believe that most are too "stuck" on the pattern ... I know it shows a V400, but use the 404 if you like that look, thus adhering to the principle with your own preference. Craftaids are a good example... I've known guys who had - well - I think ALL of them. Maybe they're collectors? Personally, craftaids are only beneficial if I have 10 of something to make, which rarely happens.

    To your other point ... some folks are just rude. I used to have a bunch of these "my idea" things ... police say to forget it, my "ornate" doorknob precludes a good finger print. More than the money ($300 US for the new beveled glass in the door) is knowing that it will take hours and hours to replace them. Some of those books and tools probably found Ebay, but those designs and the computer back-up probably wasn't any good to anyone but me ... now THAT'S rude.

    Personally, I LIKE to see other people using my ideas. Infrequently, it's like mine and I gained nothing. Usually, though, it's either not as good as mine (meaning I helped someone) or it's made better (meaning I haven't "arrived" yet and need to continue to improve), either of which is good for ME. Much of the time, I have customers who want to see a book so they can point and say I want that one smile.gif

    FOLKS,

    if you need a picture of a horse - go to google search and type "horse pic", you'll have more than you know what to do with.

    if you need a design, layout, construction that isn't readily available - show some consideration for the person who has it - may be payment, an exchange of ideas, or a simple thanx

    keep in mind, that when someone helps you, it may be more in spite of you than because of you. I run the snow blower down the neighbor's sidewalk EVERY time it snows. He's a rude obnoxious jerk, and it's cold out there. I don't want to do his because I know he has 2 snow blowers but figures if he leaves it long enough I'll do it for him. He does say thanks when he sees me, but in the end he EXPECTS me to do it again next time. Perhaps one day he'll find out that it has nothing to do with him ... the mail lady who comes down our street is dating my buddy, and I clear most of the block FOR HER. Boy, does he get woke up when she gets a new route ...

    But, it's wonderful to talk about helping each other, long as we all act like a bunch of kids in the school yard ... (No YOU go first, no YOU go first, No you... ) That said...DaCoda ... still have your address, send you some PRACTICAL stuff on Monday.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    HEY, for what it's worth, I agree with YOU. I don't care for the letters, but the rest of the belt looks pretty good. So, I gotta ask ... why didn't you do the name in the same fashion you did the floral? This sounds like crap, of course, but it's intended as a compliment ... I LIKE the belt.

    Sometimes I hear stuff around here about dyeing projects taking days, and I personally don't get it. Once the leather is dry, I brush in the background (if there is one), and paint the design immediately. Only thing I put on that ever sits more than overnight is neatsfoot, and that's only so it has a chance to penetrate and spread.

    As for NeatLac, I had some bad experiences with it like 22 years ago and have never used it since (though I do rather like the SaddleLac). Then, I'm probably the odd man out in that I don't use "resist" (whatever that is) ... I simply don't paint where I don't want paint.

    Any, that medicine from the dentist must be doing all that talking, but the bottom line is the floral looks GOOD.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    I used to have Vol 2 around here somewhere. If I remember right, A.S. used 6/7 oz for the main bag. By the time you line it with a 2 1/2 oz, ya got 9/10. Your bag will be - what - 20-21 inches? You might be okay, but I'd want a young guy with me to carry it :)

    That's my take ... 6/7 and line with 2/3 oz veg tan (goat?). Maybe a couple of sewn-in dividers around the laptop, keep it in place.

    You could always add wheels, and a harness that would attach to the dog's collar. This - or course - should be discussed with the dog ...

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Sounds like you have it pretty much under control down there. I'm going through stuff (new work bench) and found that I have [yet another] "Lucky7" pattern book for bilfolds, key cases, pocket secretary and a little whatever-that-is plastic craftaid pattern. PM or email with address and I'll send it. Couple of handbag patterns (cutting and carving), not sure what else yet, and the kids won't let me look at the moment :)

  10. Posted · Report reply

    i think this is a great idea. leather trading cards sounds like it would be fun to exchangeing them with other leather crafters as well as newbies in leather crafts. i am up to making somthing like this if others are?

    Donnie Blaze

    Help a girl out ... put in down there in the "Pay it Forward" section so she has it all in one place (?).

  11. Posted · Edited by JLSleather · Report reply

    Yep, I like it. Funny, when I clicked the topic it crossed my mind -- how long do you use that name? Really, this is nicer looking than some of the "professionals" I've met... If you really NEED suggestions, I suggest you forward all of these rejects to mejawdropper.gif This is of course the difference between those who really are good at it and - well - others... The real talent is always looking for a way to do it BETTER.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Okay, I keep hearing about it's "tough" , but how thick is this stuff. Couple of girls here talking about stingray products, and I see lots of ads about the skins being small. ANYbody tell me what this equates to in an ounce scale. If you can tell me in one sentence, I might follow it :) If it's a 3, I'm good -- if it's a 6, maybe gotta talk that first gal into a bag instead of a clutch ...

    The girl gets a bag, I get paid, supplier makes money, and you get to be the I-know-it guy (or gal). Everybody wins :)

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Hello from Iowa. Lots of stuff around here. What type of patterns are you looking for? Cutting patterns? Carving designs? I have some stuff that's been in my way for a while now (spelled f r e e ). Got some more stuff for that youngster, too, but some of this I've already sent him (not sure how I got 3 of soome of these). If they're "open" patterns, I can post them here. If they're owned (sold) by someone, I'd have to send you the book (which is fine). I had a BUNCH of stuff stolen, so I know how much fun it is putting it back.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    Those "In-Fisherman" boys in MN used to have a little segment where they would answer some questions people sent in. When asked, "What's the best fishin' lure for walleye?", he answered "The one you'll use."

    Oh, yeah ... mine are largely Craftool.

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Where can I buy soft, flexible leather with no finish? I want to be able to tool it and dye it, but have it "drape". Something in 2/3 or 3/4 oz, and natural. Preferably by the side, though if you know someone who sells shoulders that would be fine.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    I snooped at some length last night, yours one of the sites I saw. There were some good (to me) aspects on many of the layouts. Just some things I've been thinking ...

    I personally like the cascading menus, as I think they're easier to use. I hate it when I get new software, or someone updates their site, and that button that used to be over there is now over there. CC's site was good in this way ... that little drop-down menu ... always in the same place.

    If I'm going to have a site where people can buy something, I want them to be able to find it. I know I've "hung up" on people - on the web, on the phone, standing in front of them - because they took forever to get to what they are selling and how much does it cost me.

    Spell checker is a good thing, doncha think?

    I used to play a LOT of handball, and I always like to play somebody BETTER than me. I'm getting what I need, enjoying doing it, AND learning something.

    Leather is no different ... so in addition to websites, I've snooped through a number of profiles (if you see I ducked in / ducked out of yours, not to worry ... I'm harmless smile.gif ). If I ever start thinking I know how to color leather, I'll just go browse kiwidownunder's work. Yes, that's a "plug", and I'm thinking my site should include links to some other crafters' work. Maybe not the best business approach, but I like it.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Okay, not illiterate, but usually busy. Before someone tells me to use the search I'll just say trust me, I did - to the point it's way past my nap time :) Ancient history has me creating .pdf's with Acrobat 5, stumling through a little Photoshop, and hacking out some bearable pages showing a couple hundred pics of my babies using GoLive (well, at least the kids are cute). This machine works 'ok' but my next baby will take it over before long. Since I'll need a new machine, might as well get the right toys right from the start.

    To the question .... especially now that there's a Directory. What are all those new sites being written in? I'm a hands on guy (my wife incorrectly diagnoses 'obsessive'). Wouldn't have a problem paying to get set up, but I'd want to be able to get in and change photos (by way of example), so would want the software anyway.

    With some skeletal knowledge of Adobe stuff, I thought to just get the latest CS. A look at their web site reminded me how proud of that they got ($1500 to fake it some more??). Hands-on like I said, so I'll research a bit anyway, but would appreciate a quick line from folks who know more about this (thanks in advance).

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