Pounder

Get Al Stohlman's Pictorial Carving Finnesse, good if not the best source for trees and other things, wore out my first copy, got another one just weeks ago.

Thank Jim for providing the pattern and once again proving what LW is all about, helping each other.

Thanks Lui, that is the good advice about keeping it out there, if I had an order for every card I had given to someone who said they would contact me, I would be very well off. I am planning my first in a few weeks I will let you know how it goes.

OUTSTANDING. Really impressive.

Welcome 28ist. This is the place you need to be to advance in your leatherwork. Coffee is always good and the people here are even better. Can't wait to see some of your projects when you get a chance.

Very good work and thanks for helping the youngsters.

Nooj: Both look good to me. We always notice our own mistakes before anyone else and we always know what we could do better the next time around. Thats what makes leather work so enjoyable. Keep up the good work and yes, circles can be a gear sometimes.

Welcome back Lui. Like you I am starting my leather business but not the brick and mortor, more the fair and bazaar method. Like you, I spend more time trying to start the business and less time at the bench but I love it. Anyway, welcome back and look forward to seeing some of your work.

Welcome StogiePatriot Excellent wood working, with that experience it won't be no time at all till you are teaching the rest of us a thing or two. Welcome and look forward to seeing more of your work.

Thanks for the encouragement and I agree about the website which I am designing. I quickly found that is easier said than done. Seems as if that is the first question I am always asked, "Do you have a website?" I do have one question though, who is Chris?

Ferg; I appreciate your advice. I have been going through my patterns and choosing those that are quick to produce yet offer the customer a useful product, i.e. can carriers, lighter carriers, etc. Things I feel will go well in a agricultural community. Again thanks for the advice.

Recently I opened my business (Crooked Finger Leather Art) and have been placing flyers in local stores with their permission of course. One of the managers offered to let me "set up" in their parking lot on Saturdays. My inventory is not sufficient to allow sales but I thought it might be a good opportunity to get my name out. What do you think? Has anyone tried anything like this, if so how did it work for you? And tips or suggestions? I appreciate your wisdom and direction.

I keep hearing about all of these wonderful tools out there and I have priced some of them and found them to be out of my league. I am not saying they are not good or worth the price I am just saying I am poor and cannot afford these luxuries. After 25+ years tooling leather and having won several awards I have come to the conclusion that it is not the quality of the tool but the quality of the person that holds it.

And I thought I was the only one that did this, sure am glad to hear from others, I was getting a little worried. I catch myself watching old period pieces, especially western and historical more for the leather than the plot. Some that come to mind are Jonah Hex, Jeremiah Johnson, The Mountain Men, Posse, The Magnificent Seven, you get the idea.

Thanks Natalie: I never tried the spray type of Neat Lac but it is the same product as I remember it. Probably just buy a quart and be done with it. Thanks for the hook up I will look at it in detail later.

Some good advice as some of us can't afford the high end tools (I won't name names but everybody knows) yet we produce a product to be proud of and make some money as well. Thanks for the tips.

Thanks Spinner: I will print and try this when I complete these wallets I working on. Thanks Hidepounder Like Spinner, is I could find it I would use it. Had some years ago and it was great but don't know of any suppliers. I appreciate the tip though.

Friends: Recently I completed a couple of wallets for family that were not stained, i.e just had several coats of Super Shene on the design and wallet. Since then I have noticed colors from pants are fading into the leather. I realize heat from setting on the wallet may cause this and discoloration in the fabric of the pants (generally blue jeans) but is there anything that can be done to ensure it does not happen. I've got some orders for the same billfolds but don't want this to occur again for a customer or family. I appreciate anyone's response. Thanks

Welcome TBone, glad to hear from a fellow Hoosier and self taught leathercrafter. I am sure this site will help you just as much as it has helped me, after 25+ years doing leather I thought I knew a thing or two until I found this site. I am thankful to all for the knowledge they readily impart and hope someday to be able to do the same. Look forward to seeing some of your stuff in the future.

I just signed on with Springfeild Leather for my new business. Glad to see your experience with them was above standard, makes me look forward to doing business with them. Thanks

Sounds like we have a lot in common, I am a cancer survivor, past 50, retired and trying to start a small leather business in central Indiana. For general questions and some classes on various business subjects I found the Indiana Small Business Development Center (isbdc.org) you might want to check them out. Business cards have worked for me so far but like I said I am just getting started just as you are. Work your family and friends to help get the word out that you are doing this, you may have to expand your offerings at first simply for profit but as you grow you can narrow to the archery field. After one month of being in "business", I am getting a few orders but am not making a living at it yet. Good luck.

Thanks for the information, I am beginning my leather business and have been looking for something like this, could not have come at a better time.

Don't know about Illinois but I just obtained one in Indiana and it was really simple. Did the whole thing on-line and had the number the next day. As suggested, search the internet, I would be surprised if Illinois does not have a way to obtain one on line.

E-mail Tandy and they will send you a list of Doodle Pages. I did a few months ago and was told they would have a Doodle Page Library avaialble on their site by January but I have yet to see it.