dragonspit

as a real newbie, and I'm sure it will change as I get educated, I dont understand what Dave means so Im gonna have to go check his site. but to me, this looks pretty nice. if I got something this nice out of my first try I'd be silly happy.

Bobby, I almost missed that link and that was my next big thing. That was perfect and about as clear as....well as clear as I need it to be. thanks for that, it was awesome.

Directly after I wrote my note here, I logged off and watched most of the dvd that came with my kit. Now mind you, I have been talking with a buddy who has been doing this for about a year, and was talking me through stuff, besides all the info I get on here. but the dvd, simply answered sooooo many questions. and not so much answered the questions, showed you what it would look like and how to, in real time. the dvd is set up to be a step by step visual video of the projects that are included in the kit. He first takes you through the carving, then stamping, then dying then assembly of each of the projects. its nicely paced and you can hit pause at any given moment. He talks tips all the time, little things and shows them and why. I mean, I feel other than a live person holding the stamp for ya, its about as helpful as your gonna find. really. I got so excited I pulled out a few scraps the tandy guy gave me and started messing around. lets just say, I was late for work, lol. so my first impression is pretty good about the dvd. and like i said early, there are links around this site to others. they are stickies up at the top. good luck, I hope you have as much fun as I did to start. now,,,,, I need a piece of cardboard, cause this little piece is walking around my table faster than walking my stamp!!! Bob

I think a lot of folks that are white collar type workers feel this way, I sure do. and I agree on the statement about being formed into a consumer position. I learned this a few years ago and trying to resolve, but can not get my better half to understand. but we have as a family are trying to work at getting down to more basics. and you have to teach kids this very message, some will take some will not. I started with advertising. showing and proving them that what ever is advertised usually is not. you are not getting what you pay for so why buy it type of thing. both kids kinda of understand that. not to say being kids they still dont push the limit, but I believe, and hope, that they wont start down that road to total consumer, more of a thinker. this was a great topic and i bet way more people feel this than almost any other thing in right now.

very nice. I bet the cutting around the edges of the inside logo was a painstaking detail. what did you use to cut that and exacto knife, lol ?

I was in the same boat just two weeks ago. Something I wanted to do for a long time and just didnt know how. I was close enough to a Tandy store to visit and did this past weekend, well, its a done deal now. they have a couple of great beginner kits that depending on your financial abilities, arent to seemingly bad. but thats a relative statement isnt it? I bought a delux beginners set, it has several tools, a mallet, swivel knife, cement, dyes, transfer paper, a couple of kits to learn from, a beginners book and a dvd in the box. there is everything included to the projects and move on to some simple self made projects. It was about $150, this weekend, there are better deals at times, and bigger and smaller beginner kits. The staff was as friendly and helpful as could be. they threw in some scraps of leather to practice on. showed me some cutting techniqes and a few other interesting tidbits. You can tell they see folks like us allll the time. I would say if you do get to go into one, you will both be excited at all you see, and completely overwhelmed by the stuff you COULD purchase. and get on their mailing list. they have sales allll the time. be ready to jump at the deals. I can see how it could add up very quickly, but the all inclusive kits really would get you almost everything you need. at least I feel it does. I will wish you the same good luck I am sure I will need. And by the way, there are a couple of great tuts on here, and links to even more, so spend some time looking around this site, its vast, but it has a tonage, of what I have found to be responsive interesting insight and help. It really did put me over the edge to get along with my new hobby.

I'm sure they'll love it. It's beautiful.

very nice tute. thanks for taking the time.