custer

Thanks everyone for the compliments on how cute my nephew is. And his chinks. For advertising, you just cannot beat kids. I make sure that every time we go to a rodeo or horseshow (not to mention church and school), that he and my own preschool boys are dressed up in stuff I made. And they are better attention-getters than adults ever could be. Every cowboy in the ranch rodeo finals in Amarillo could be wearing a pair of my batwings and I can assure you that they won't amass the number of inquiries, attention, and orders that one little boy, decked out like this will (especially when I allow him to run around being seen all over the trade show). Worked on all of you, didn't it????? All you have to do is sit back and have your business cards ready when parents and grandparents swarm him.

Its ALWAYS nice to find another "girl leatherworker"!!!!! Be sure to post pics of your work, and pics of your shop so we can see how you've set up all your vintage tools.

Here's my first attempt at attachment. If it doesn't work, we'll try again. Just wanted to show the littlest chinks I've ever done. This is my 2-year old nephew. He's a little short for his age, so the fringe brushes the toes of his boots. That way they'll fit for several years.

I managed to get someone to buy my husband a Dremel last Christmas, then I commandeered it for my own shop. I first used it on a holster where I needed to smooth up the sewn edges after sewing and before burnishing. I used the little sanding drum that came with it (don't let it rest in one spot for more than a split second) and really liked the way it turned out. Better than hand-sanding for tight spots. Then after some gum trag, I used the bare mandrel the burnish some of the tight areas I couldn't get into with a wheel, rub stick, or rub rag. Word of caution: the high speed will burn the leather instead of burnish if you don't keep the tool moving constantly.

How did you find out about this site? I had asked a question to another online guild, and Bruce Johnson and one of the Clays strongly suggested that I try Leatherworker.Net. Really glad I did. How often do you check the website? several times a week Would you be willing to link to LW on your website? I've already put a glowing recommendation and banners on my blog for folks to come try out the forum. I hope you approve of the way I used the logo. Does this site help your site to get more Internet traffic It probably would if I were brave enough to announce my blog to the group. I figure that when I get more of my planned tutorials uploaded to it, and announce it to the whole forum, more folks from here will come and peruse it. I don't care if anyone buys anything from my blog; I do it for fun and to help others learn with pictures and step-by-step instructions for things I don't see done on other's sites or blogs.

Ryan, the website is not as current as it should be. They used to DELIVER (in person) to the southcentral U.S. But they will SHIP anywhere in the country. They used to have a big truck that the owner drove around and when he was scheduled to be in your town, you went shopping in the back of this truck. THey discontinued that service a year or so ago but haven't changed their website yet. Part of their appeal for me is that it's nice that when you call, the guy who answers just carries the phone into the warehouse and talks to you while he picks your side. Much more personal service than the disembodied voice I talk to at Weaver for hardware. I get the feeling she's never even been to the warehouse. And Panhandle doesn't mind how many different widths you want your straps cut to. It's all free. I'm still waiting to be compensated for all this good publicity....... Becky Custer Comanche, OK custerleather.blogspot.com

where's a good place to buy Old Word Harness from Herman Oak other than direct as I only need two sides. Thanks Ryan Ryan, I just a few hours ago received my very first Hermann Oak harness side from Panhandle Leather in Amarillo, TX (800-537-3945). I wanted to see if there was that big a difference between it and Weaver's brand. Oh, my! It looked good enough to eat. First of all, they'll cut your hide into all the straps you want, for FREE. I had the top half of this extra heavy side cut into 1" tug straps and 5/8" reins to save the trouble of getting my husband to wield the draw guage. When I pulled the straps out of the box I could tell right away I was going to convert. Very even cutting and there was no brand on the hide. I round-edged a rein immediately and it made glassy, un-shaggy edges. I didn't put any dressing of any kind on it or even wet the edges, I just pulled it a few times through my canvas apron bottom. Perfect and buttery smooth. There's no minimum order, and the price was the best I found. I shopped around. I even called Goliger after reading the earlier recommendation. The lady priced their's at $8.62 per pound, averaging 25 pounds/side. That's $215.50 before shipping. And they don't offer the free strap cutting service. Panhandle's Hermann Oak is $190 per side and $16 UPS. I talked to the actual guy standing in the actual warehouse as he hand-picked my actual hide to my specs. I don't get any compensation for all this gushing, but if they want to pay me to endorse their service, I'm willin'. Custer Comanche, OK custerleather.blogspot.com

If you like the look of Sheridan floral work, I think you'd like Chan Geer's belt pattern book. It provides a very wide variety of flowers, leaves, and vines for every width of belt. It has the tracing patterns and the finished photo for each design. I ordered mine from Hidecrafter. It really helps learn floral work until you can design your own. It was a good investment for me. Becky Custer Comanche, OK custerleather.blogspot.com