joet

I think that I need to check these things out before I start typing. I went to the IILG web site and couldn't locate what I said was there. But I do know that someone else has done this, maybe it was Cathy Schim, but I'm not sure. Memory is the first to go. Hope I didn't mislead you too much.

I think you might try looking in the IILG web site http://iilg.org/ and look for your information there in the members section. If I remember right, there is a section that already has this information in it. Might save yourself some time and effort. Joe

Nice work on the saddle, and may I say, welcome to the LW.net from a fellow Coloradoan. There are quite a few of us here from the state and it's always nice to see another one come sign in.

Neat work. I like the way you were able to show more detail in your work using the close up view. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Patience needs work. Last night I gave my first actual leather tooling class to my 4H kids. They all took to it quickly enough and most, even the youngest one, was able to pick up the concept of how the swivel knive was used. Every one of them needs to practice using it, as well as the other tools. I started with a demonstration of how the swivel knife is used. I explained about under cutting, angle, stropping, sharpening and depth of cut. Scrap leather was given out for practice and after several cuts, they all jumped right into doing thier first project in Unit 2. Most of them cut too shallow, but I feel that in time they will get the hang of it. Curved lines caused some problems for some of them, but most of them, with a little help from me, were able to overcome this.Next came the cammo tool. All had a tendency to hold the tool straight up when working on the inside curve of a leaf. One person, on their second attempt, did tilt the tool and give the proper impression, unfortunetely they tilted the tool the wrong way. I think that she will be the one person who will need the most instruction as she is unable to see spacial relations, at least not at this time.The pear shader and the beveler gave all of the kids trouble. I didn't realize at the time what their problem was, but after thinking about it I came to the conclussion that they are trying too hard and hitting the tool the same way. They used the mallet like it was a hammer, even after proper instruction. At the next class I'll have to correct this and tell them to tap the tool, not smack it. Let the tool do the work, not the arm. But part of the problem is that a couple of them were using the wrong type of mallet. They were using the wood one and there is no weight to the head; but that wasn't their fault as when the parents bought the tool, it was the only one left in the store.We started the use of the veiner, but after two hours and 15 minutes, the kids were wearing out, as was I. I have a sneaking hunch that most of the kids will finish their first three projects at home. I gave them some extra leather scraps that I had laying around the house to practice on and told them all to practice the use of all the tools. At the next meeting I think the time will be used to fine tune the use of all the tools that the kids have. I have to be sure that the proper use of the mallet is shown again and that with just a little tap, they can get the same, if not better impression than what they were doing. Mean while, I am currently using the heat pad on my lower back and have popped four aspirin to help kill the pain.All of these kids have the potential to be good leather craft workers. They all have the support of their parents, and even they learned something at the meeting. I did stress that what the kids were working with were just the basic tools and they are the building block that needs to be expanded upon. The ability to branch out to other and better designs all reflect on the tools that will be added to this group. I also talked to the parents about future projects and how they should be geared towards the age of their child as well as the experience that they currently have.I have looked back into my past at the all the projects that I did when I first started learning leather crafting. It wasn't until about the seventh or eighth project that I noticed a big difference in my work. Bevel lines were smoother, cuts were deeper and the over all look of the design had really improved. I guess that it will be the same way with these kids. Time will tell.I think all of the kids had fun. I do know that one was not happy with the results, but she was told that this was only her first attept at this and with more practice she will get better. I hoped that she beleived that. I had all the parents thank me for doing this and I even had a couple of the kids tell me the same thing. I just hope that I can survive this experience.

Health comes first, lessons come second followed by leather crafting and fun. Glad to hear that you are back with us again; hope to hear more from you in the future.

Joe, I haven't even tried the Eco-Flo dyes. They aren't exactly cheap, and I have so much of the Delta sitting around, I stay with it. I also have some acrylics in tubes that someone gav me. I have had good luck with it. I see no reason to change, at this point! I've tried some of the Eco-Flo stains and had mixed feelings about them. I would like to try the Eco-Flo antique, but just haven't really had the time, nor will, to sit down and try it. I have seen the results that someone else did, and liked what I saw; but I'm a fan of the Fiebings antique paste and I'll probably stay with that. I have several bottles of the Cova paint that sits near my workshop bench it is over 30 years old and still good. My collection of Ceramcoat is extensive and I would buy a couple of bottles of different colors each time I went into Hobby Lobby. I'll use what I got as far as color is concerned; I've tried mixing colors and have had fair luck with it, but I think I'll stick with the pre-mixed colors. Like you said, "I see no reason to change ...."

Hi again Kathy, your coloring of the moose turned out to be really nice. Now for the question; what brand of paint do you use? Do you use the Tandy Eco-Flo, or something from a craft store? Paul Burnett suggested a brand that I've used for several years and have been happy with it, but was wondering if there was something else that would do the job as well.

Clay B, we have never met, but I really enjoy your work and the lessons that you have given so freely. Have another Happy Birthday.

What a neat house warming gift. Some day I'll get out of my leather slump and do a moose as it is about the only large animal I haven't done. I saw where Jim Linnell had a moose pattern on his web site, that might be a good place to start.

Don't get so relaxed that you start shooting the inside of the beer can. Looking forward to more videos. I love videos as they are the next best thing to being there.

Of course you could do it, Joe! If you want a real lesson on a human face, I could do that at Tandy's in Colorado Springs. If you want one on here, I could do that, too! Kathy That sounds like a winner. I know you are setting up at least three classes there for this year, maybe you could either add a fourth class and make that faces, or change one of the other classes that are scheduled. Then again, maybe a lesson here on line could be in order, but it might be better if the class was in person.

Oooooh, free patterns! It would be nice to be able to pick up some of Tandy's past patterns, even for a price; which I'm sure won't break the bank. I've seen a lot of good things come out of Tandy since they re-opened their stores and got back into business again.

Nice looking picture, you did a really good job on him/her/it. Did Tony teach any of his dyeing techniques to the class? He is a very good instructor and I wish that I could take more lessons from him.

I'm having a lot of fun doing this! I just hope it makes sense to you. Kathy Kathy, you make it so clear that even I could do it. Wish you would do a lesson on the human face.

Very interesting video. I wish that you would have shown the tool from different angles first to give us an idea as to what it really looked like. Also I wished that there were close ups of the lace after you cut it, to show the angle better. Is this tool for sale? and if so, what would be the price range? Other than those observations, I felt that the instructions were complete and informative. Keep up the good work.

Be sure you post another picture of your order when it comes in. Would love to see it.

I've been a member of LW.net since almost day two of it's beginning, but like you, I am more of a lurker and would rather read what people have to say than put in my own two cents. I keep telling myself that that is going to change, but so far it hasn't happened. That is, until Johanna and company introduced the blog section. I find that I am more inclined to post there than in the different forums. Nice Avatar by the way.

I really enjoy seeing things made by people from other countries. The designs and workmanship is a lot different than things made here in the U.S. and it just blows my mind to see these things.

So far, so good; I haven't made any mistakes that I know of on my blogging skills. I went to the local 4H general meeting last night, and every time I go there I get more impressed with the program. Last night the kids received their project books so they can start on working on their respective tasks they signed up for. I felt that the books should have been available last month as if I had started working the leather section this month, the kids would be a month behind. As it is, I did start last month with the history of leather crafting and some of the tanning process. The kids then learned the different kinds of leather that is used, with cowhide being the primary source.My next class with these kids will be held in two weeks, and we'll start them off on their first of five projects. I'll teach them casing of leather, the drawing and transfer of the pattern, followed by how to use the swivel knive. After that they will use the next two tools in line and that is the cammo tool and the pear shader. I think they will find that their first project will be very easy to do with maybe the exception of the swivel knife.There will be time in the class period to start the second project and there they will use the same tools they used in the first project. The beveler will be the second hardest tool for them to grasp the concept of, but these kids are bright and I see no problem with them at all. After the beveler will be the veiner and at the present time I don't remember if the seeder is used on this project or not. I'll have to look into the book and confirm this as it's been awhile since I did so.Once the second project is covered, there might be time to start their third project, in which case they will learn how to use the backgrounder and then follow that up with the swivel knife again when they try to make their decorative cuts.I wish that I had the time to work with these kids more often, but right now I am stuck with one night a month to cover a lot of territory. We may be running our meeting to a couple of hours a night which means that there will be a lot of material shoved at them at once. At the end of this class I'll have the kids start looking into what they want to make for their first major project. Next month, if they don't finish project three at home, we'll finish that one up in the first hour. Then it's lacing time where they have to learn at least two types of lacing techniques. All of these kids have signed up for Unit 1 and Unit 2, but they can only get credit for one of those. I'm pushing for Unit 2, but they have to learn the tool useage from Unit 1. I have one kids who might have trouble using the swivel knife, but I think she can handle it; if not, she'll be finishing up with Unit 1.Their County Fair will be held this year in July, so there isn't much time to sit around goofing off. I've never been to a County Fair before, so this should be an interesting experience for all of us. In my class I have only one kids who this is his first year in the program. The other three have been in the program several years and know what to do. Seeing as how this is my first year teaching in the program I'll be leaning heavily on the older kids as well as their leader.In earlier posts I talked about my latest project and how it was coming. I can truthfully say that it is now past the planning stage and day before yesterday I drew up the pattern. Later today I'll cut the leather out that I need and, with any good luck, get it started this weekend. I do have to go to my BIL's 70th birthday bash, but I don't think I'll stay for the whole thing. Maybe we'll arrive late and stay long enough for the pizza and then sneak home.I think I've rambled on enough and it's time to get another cup of coffee and then go re-fill the bird feeder in the bbackyard. Those dang birds can empty it in three days.

Probably the best tools on the market come from Bob Beard and his Pro-Tools. I'm sure someone will give me an argument about this, but this is my opinion. The only problem is the price. Bob's tools run from about $45 and up for his figure carving tools, but they are well worth the price. They are hand made, so it takes him awhile to make one, but you get what you pay for. Tandy Craftool F-series tools also do the job as they were designed by a figure carving master, Al Stohlman. He always did an excellent job on whatever he did and sometimes he made up a design to go with a new tool. I use many of the Tandy Craftools, as they were within my price range when I started out and they do the job that I want them to; but I also own a few of Bob Beard's tools and I use them when the project calls for something a little different. The best thing to do is start out with the Craftools and then, when you can, go to one of the leather shows and check out what is available. I have not been to Wickenburg yet, but I have been to Sheridan for their shows and there are always tool makers there that could help you out.

Welcome to this lonely outback section of LW.net. Not many of us are here, but some of us that are have a lot to say. Post pictures when you can.