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Everything posted by bluesman1951
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Looks just fine to me .The sewing is very good ,for me the only place where the eye gets hung up is on the flap . I might give the flap where it leaves the bag body and crosses over a gentle curve adding perhaps a 1/2 inch to either side as it crosses over . The main part of the flap matches the bag bottom profile so its perfect . The main bag body has just the right dimensions to please the eye ,congradulations on that . As to the finish I am partial to a natural oil look ,so I put my leather in the sun and let it darken naturaly . Then using a extra virgin olive oil I work that in with my fingers giving it several coats . After that its a water proofer of some kind and a buff . For me at that point its done . Each to his own on the finish there are as many different ways to finish as there are people . My compliments on your project it will age well and give years of good service . Its pleaseing to the eye and you should be pleased with your effort . Well done . Bill
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Looking For Some Ideas What To Do With My Deer
bluesman1951 replied to Wise Owl Studios's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
These bags work for me . Bill -
I like your work ,I also agree with 50 years leather "Too Much Shine" . From a money stand point I would focus on your masks and the naughty side it brings out in people . That in my opinion is a retail winner with lots of directions to go in . Spice up your booth and imply "Naughty" its just crazy enough to be stacking up the dollars . I tried bracelets some years back : result ,in stores with a high traffic volume they were having birthdays on the shelf . Not a good thing . After a month I dropped that line of stuff and will not be bringing it back . My suggestion is take the time spent on those and do a hot looking chocker ( Not with bone or native American looking) Go for the high end jewellery look with sparkle and flash . Something for the bedroom and the night club look. Marry that with your masks and you will have a attention getter at the shows . All you need is a chance to sell and that requires getting their attention and getting them to stop . Put your chokers and your masks in a custom box and sell as a unit, the steam punk design with the gears is a good idea . Here your market focus should be "Bridal Shower Gifts " Combining items allows for a hefty price upgrade . I am just thinking out loud here so take my words or pass them by . You have a good line of stuff and a tiny bit of tweaking will make you smile all the way to the bank . Just think "Its all about having fun " Bill
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A Decent Pair (Please Critique)
bluesman1951 replied to mikey's topic in Shoes, Boots, Sandals and Moccassins
Nicely done ! Thanks for sharing these . -
One way to get a free product review is to put it in front of as many people as possible in a tight focus group . This saves a lot of time bringing something to market to say nothing of the cost savings . Lots of people here are making one of a kind stuff happily selling the same way one at a time . Their understanding of mass production is limited . My personal opinion is that the makers of things are less likely to buy . Any way thanks for showing us your products .
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No Pattern Holster First Attempt
bluesman1951 replied to Fd3615's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
This looks good stitching fits the time period so all is well with that . Not a big fan of "speedy rivets or rapid rivets " what ever they are called . Just have never thought they were a strong fastner . That aside the instalation is clean they look good and for a lack of better words "they look like they belong with this holster" meaning they are correct looking for time period of this holster . I like your project and think its very well done . Time well spent .Thanks for sharing your work . I enjoyed viewing it very much . -
There seems to be a intrest in pattern making . I have a method that gives me good results ,dont mind sharing it . Its not the only method its but one of many I am sure . My question is : explaining this will take a bunch of pictures and here it looks like you can add only one at a time making the process very long and drawn out . Is there a way to add many pictures one after another in a step by step manner to help explain this ? Not a computer genius so if your method is complicated its not going to work for me . Thank you in advance for all your help . Bill
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I enjoyed very much the story along with the pictures . Often the work says one thing and the back story quite another . I must confess the back story to me is very interesting ,most times when I guess about folks I am far from the mark . I have been making native bags for many years and would be interested very much in your patterns . I have found the smallest changes in dimensions make a huge difference in a bags appeal over all. I like the way all the embelishments are arranged its a pleaseing symphony of components . Just enough to make the bag interesting and still un cluttered . New Mexico has a huge native population with many sub cultures from tribe to tribe and from one publeo to another . My life has had me involved in this comunity for many years. I have enjoyed all my adventures and friendships greatly . Bill
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Where has the auto spell check gone ? Clicked on everything in the tool bar and nothing will check spelling . Sick to death of stuff that dont work !!!!!!
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That fits with the experience I am having . Is there a solution ? Computer stuff drives me nuts ! Bill
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Well this is BAD TO THE BONE !!!!!!!! Any Austrailin bush man would be proud to have this in his gear . This is a real life Dundee knife built to go the distance. My compliments .
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- molded leather
- snake
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Totally Different Rig
bluesman1951 replied to byoffcr's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
What does one say when its as good as it gets ? Top of the game ! Mighty fine ! My compliments superb job ! Bill -
WOW!!!!!!! Thats a whole bunch of little perfect steps resulting in one big perfect product . My compliments first class work from start to finish . From concept to completion time well spent! !!!!! Hours of flawless work ,you are a master of your craft ! Thank you very much for showing us your work ,I am re dedicated and inspired . It was a privilege to view this and thank you for both taking the time to post this and for loving your craft enough to achive this level of craftsmanship . I am honoured to have seen this . THANK YOU !!! Bill
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Hi ,welcome to the forum . I enjoyed reading your story and of your life . There are a great many people here who will lend a hand with just about any thing . My work is nearly 100% with deer skin and native style bags ,so I will be of no help with saddles. I do a lot of braiding and lacing in the course of my work. I enjoy lots of blues music and some zydeco waltz as well. If I can be of any help just ask . Bill
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Tandy Leather Expedition Briefcase Kit
bluesman1951 replied to Hooper26's topic in Leatherwork Conversation
No I would not do this . Making your own pattern is very rewarding .Easy as well. A good hide can be had for about 120.00 leaving plenty of money for buckles and stuff . In fact if you call "The Hide House in California you can get English bridle leather for 120 a hide from wicket and craig 8/9 oz ask for Jen . Its a saddle colour so no expense is needed for dyes . In general Tandy kits suck . Pattern making is easy if you send me a Pm Ill help with that . I would rather have a side of that english bridle leather for my money than that kit ,and change to spend too. Do as you please ,love to hear how this story turns out . If you call the Hide House ask for Jen ,say Bill from Albuquerque said to call. You will have plenty of hide left to make other things for profit after making your bag . Bill- 51 replies
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- tandy
- briefcase kit
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Leather Buttons Advice For Bushcraft Bag!
bluesman1951 replied to narrowsuch's topic in How Do I Do That?
The one you are looking for is a braid called a Chinese Button Knot . Can be found in tutorials at KHWW.com Thats knotheadsworld wide . very good looking round knot . Bill -
Scrap Bin Zombie Wallet
bluesman1951 replied to Kevin King's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Lol This just proves with imagination all things are possible . I have 40 lbs of scrap you could turn into a million bucks . I like a mind that is way out of the box. One person looks and see's one thing while you look and see way different things . To quote a movie line "You have a beautiful mind twisted perhaps but beautiful " I am inspired now I will revisit my scrap box with new eyes . Thanks for showing this !!!!!!! Bill -
A Few More Done
bluesman1951 replied to Frank's topic in Gun Holsters, Rifle Slings and Knife Sheathes
Hard to find words here . There is a group of leather workers who are at the top of their game and you are solidly seated at that table. Good as it gets , hardly seems to cover this work . I cant do stuff that good in my dreams so I am jealous to say the least . LOL Thank you for posting this and sharing your work with us . I consider myself lucky to have seen this work . Its a real treat ! Thank You ! Bill -
Travel bag for passport and card .
bluesman1951 commented on scraft's gallery image in Our Leatherwork Galleries
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- leather bag
- travel bag . leather case
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Interesting idea ,I would make the ties a little thinner beyond that its a very cool idea should sell well . Food for thought :What can be done small ,can be done big as well . Another direction and a second idea . The wire has potential in so many ways also some brass and stone. This is one of those 4th of July ideas ! Once it takes off it shoots ideas in all directions . Have fun with this and may it be a cash winner for you . Show it to some women and if you get a "Oh Thats CUTE " its money in the bank !!!!!!! LOL All my best , Bill
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Hi Thanks for showing this beautiful work . I am convinced that you have all the orders you need ,but should you be considering taking on a new client I know a man with 6 Spa and Billard stores that would like to have something this beautiful in his store . If you are interested send me a email and I will arrange a introduction . Thanks for sharing this fine work . Bill
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Added A Peice
bluesman1951 replied to bigorange's topic in Purses, Wallets, Belts and Miscellaneous Pocket Items
Nice project ! Hint : I bought a box of surgical rubber gloves form the medical supply house and use them for stain and gluing adventures. Keeps chemicals from getting absorbed thru the skin. They are a nice thing to have on the bench . Bill -
Hi thanks for sharing your web site and your beautiful work . Thats a right fine web site sir . My compliments . look forward to seeing more of your work . Bill
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I can help you a bunch with your patterns . A bag has top bottom and side dimensions . On a large piece of paper draw a center line ,next from the center line measure out 1/2 of the expected bag width. Ten inch bag make your parallel lines 5" either side . Now draw a bottom line for the base thats the bottom of your bag . Now from the bottom come up until you a mid point thats how deep your bag will be . Next step is important figure out how wide your Gusset will be and add that from your mid point to the end of the flap . Now you are ready to make the curves and shape of the bag . Fold your paper in half top to bottom . Get a flexcurve and from the center along the very bottom start bending the flex curve until you have a pleasing taper on the bottom half. Do the same thing on the top starting at the folded part and use the flex curve to make the flap shape down to the mid point . Open it up and see what it looks like . If you like the shape fold your pattern at the mid point and that will give you a basic front view . Fold it in half and you will get a view of how your flap will fit with the bottom of the bag . If you are satisfied and all is well with the shape open it up to just the vertical fold now take your sissors and cut your pencil lines leaving the lines . Time to glue your pattern to some very stiff poster board and cut it out again barely leaving your lines . Now with some sand paper sand the lines till the whole edge is clean and straight . You should now have a good symetrical hard pattern ready to use . I really hoped that all that made sense I tried to make it step by step . If you are lost send me a PM and I can send pictures to help with the process. I am currently making patterns so for the moment its no big deal. Ill show you what I am doing with mine and if it helps then all is good . Bill
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Briefcase - A Learning Experience
bluesman1951 replied to Paulsleather's topic in Satchels, Luggage and Briefcases
Very nicely done. Elegant looking case . I would like to know why you ended up with the huge thickness . Is there no way to design around that perhaps by hiding the gusset attachment on the inside . I like this a lot and in my opinion its shelf ready anywhere . My compliments on a fine project . Bill -
Well you have lots of choices . I have a sit on stitching horse nicely done . I have full sized plans and plenty of pictures if you have a intrest send me a email address . You cant attach a bunch of pictures here . So the balls in your court now and you have lots of choices and possibilties . Bill