joet

I was told by, I think, Jim Linnell that you have to learn to use your tools. Practice with one and see what it can do. Even a cheap tool, if properly used, can do the job you want. Learn, practice with each, see what potential it has. Just a thought.

Could you give more information on this picture? Like the age, material (stone or concrete), size of section? Tannery or leather shop of old Boston, or surrounding area? Were you able to pick it up or left it there on site? So many questions.

With the internet, more and more companies are opening their door to those of us who buy only in limited quantities. I love the internet as you can download some catalogs directly onto your hard drive, like OTB, and view them later at your leisure. Not as much fun as actually holding one in your hands and turning pages, but I think that is the way things are going to be in the future.

Business Card? sounds too easy, but Weaver has opened up their site to the hobbyist and we can get a limited amount of items from them. Just haven't done so since they did this, I think about two years ago. One point of interest for anyone who wants to know, Springfield Leather Co. will order anything we want from any catalog selling leather supplies. Even the Tandy sales flyer. Best to call them.

It's been awhile since I've tried to purchase from them, but at that time they required a business license number for me to do order. That was about five or six years ago and maybe they have changed their policy like Weaver did. Weaver at one time would not deal with the small hobby or crafter who was just looking for one item that was available only through their company. Times are changing. I bought some buckles from Zack White about eight years ago and found their shipping and handling to be almost the same price of what I was buying, thus I've not done business with them again though they do have some great things there.

Those are the ones I have. I'm not sure of the size of them, length wise, but I've been looking for a setter ever since. I don't have a business license so I can't get the setter from OTB. I might see if Springfield can order it for me, so thanks for the page number from the OTB catalog as well as the product number.

Can't help you with the age of the sheath, it could be over or about 40 years old or more. The split rivet on the other hand I can help you with a little. Several years ago (maybe 30) I ordered a package of mixed items from a company that no longer exists. Among the order was a bag of split rivets. I tried several companies to locate a setter for these rivets, but no luck. I haven't used them as the only way I could would be to attack them with a flat head screw driver followed up with a ballpeen hammer. If someone has a link for a setter for these I would appreciate it as I would like to use them. I have tried Springfield Leather Company, Tandy, Weaver, Ohio and even some that are no longer around like Berman Leather Company that use to be out of Boston. These rivets are no longer found in any of these catalogs, but they still show up every once in awhile.

For someone who has been working leather for only a few months, you have been doing some really nice work. Far beyond what most of us are doing that have been at it for over 40 years. Keep up the good work and what ever you do ...... don't stop now!

Source: Robert E Lee Wip It's been a while since I've posted anything, so this might not get shown where I want it to. For someone who has only been working leather for only a few months, you are really good. Some people are not this good even at ten or more years. You have a talent for this work and all I can say is ....... don't stop now.

There are two kinds of mulefeeet; one being the "V" shape and the other being a "U" shape. Both come in various sizes and I would think the "U" shaped one would be the best. I've used both types of mulefeet on dragons with much success. Not sure what else would work, maybe someone else has a better idea.

I've used Angelus as well as craft paint from my local crafting store. Angelus is the better of the paints, but the Folk Art paint as well as Ceramcoat works just as well or better than Cova. I'm turning further and further away from the Tandy products and turning more to items from Springfield Leather (who carries Angelus) and others. I'm not saying Tandy carries a bad product, its just that for my money I can get it a little cheaper elsewhere. The hobby paint comes in many different colors, as does Angelus, where the Cova is limited and mixing to get a color you want is quite a common thing to do. I usually mix my colors with water to dilute it so I can get a better dry brush technique. Also airbrush paint can be used and Angelus can be run through an airbrush without diluting. This is just my two cents worth. Everyone has their favorite brand. Try several and stick with what works for you.

When I started working leather craft, I bought one of those boxed sets with the tools and several kits. The instruction booklet was ok, but I found the best way to do it was just pick up a tool, look at the picture in the book and give it a try. After several attempts it got a little easier, but mistakes were still made. Then I bought several of the Al Stohlman books and studied them and tried to do what he did. I wish at the time I had the Tec Tips Book, as that really covered what I needed to know. Then there was the old Make It With Leather magazine with articles on how to do things. I feel that magazine, and the current Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal were the best thing for any beginner to have at their disposal. The George Hurst's videos also were a great help as he showed you how to do something the right way. So, as you can see, there was more than just one thing that helped me learn.

CD; you have given this topic a lot of information that is helpful. The craft fair that I was at, my group was in charge of and it was a first time affair. We have a lot to learn and a long ways to go to get there. Any information for putting on a fair would be helpful for the next time. I received a letter from one of the vendors and he gave us a lot of encouragement for the next fair. The only reason I had a booth was to fill in the spaces as we could have used about three or four more vendors. The space for the fair had no fee attached to it and it was in a good location. We think the timing was off as we were competing with seven other fairs that same weekend and the advertising was not as good as it could have been. Any more information would be helpful. I need to add that my booth was the only leather related craft at this fair. Others were crochet/knitting, pottery, photography, art, jewelry and several others I can't think of right off hand.

I just finished my first craft fair a couple of weeks ago and found out the following. As mentioned above, a table and chairs; the fair I was at was indoors so there was no need for a cover. Water to drink, something for lunch or know of a fast food restaurant or the phone number to a pizza delivery service. Small items sold best or anything cheap. Cell phone cases sold the most, but must have them in many different sizes. Billfolds did not sell, but a roper wallet did, go figure. Bolo ties were not even looked at. Refrigerator magnets also sold like hot cakes (they were in the shape of little owls). High end items like small pictures didn't go at all. As this was my first time I made an inventory of things to have on hand next time. Something to display the bolo ties better, like a form in the shape of a neck and body. Something to stick the magnets to, like a steel plate that was upright. A form to fill out for taxes after the show was over and a short term tax license. This may depend on location, state, city, country, etc. These are just a few things I came up with and I'm sure there are many more I didn't list. Just my three cents worth.