Chavez

Well, since we started talking about pattern making software, my vote goes to Inkscape. Being a linux user my software choice is a bit limited, however, you don't really need much more than gimp for bitmap images and inkscape for vector graphics. Both are free. Both are available for windows (although I don't know how well they perform in an alien system) and both support graphics tablet input which sometimes comes in handy. PS vector graphics is what you need to use if you want to avoid distortion while stretching that JohnBarton is talking about. While you can draw cutting patterns right in inkscape, for carving patterns you can do the following: My usual course of digitising a hand-drawn pattern or a bitmap image from the internet is: 1) Open image in gimp; 2) Remove all colour. All you need is black and white; 3) Increase contrast (or play with light curves if you know what you're doing) to highlight curves; 4) Copy the image to inkscape 5) Transform the bitmap to path. 6) You've got your digitised carving pattern.

Tommy, Someone here suggested to try tooling with the granite block on your knees. Not the most comfortable way to tool, but there is practically no sound coming from your tapping. Just make sure you take breaks so its not too hard on your back

Thank you reddevil! The template looks very nice. Can't wait to try it out=)

Hi Reddevil, Any chances of the coin pocket template? I'm starting another 6-pocket one, but planning to do one with coins after. Thanks in advance!

Thats a lovely notepad! Would you be so kind to share the template for it? Thanks!

I'd use an svg editor (inkscape or illustrator) rather than photoshop. You want vector graphics for these things. I'd recommend black river laser. Haven't tried their makers marks yet but they are nice guys (bought templates from them before), so I'll definitely order mine from them when I get my design finished.

Sorry, I meant a whole set of course. Once you try the BKs you won't want to stick to just the very basic ones.

From my limited experience, the tandy 6 is a good place to start, but the ones I have are of pretty bad quality. Barry King tools cannot even be compared to them, however, if you think about the cost, it becomes easy to make your decision: Tandy 6 set + basic swivel knife = $50. Add $4 for a 16 oz rubber mallet and that's you for the first 6 months. Barry King beginner set + a few extras + good swivel knife + BK maul + sharpening equipment = just under $1k. You'll never have to change these tools again and they will always give you great performance. Good Luck!

Thanks. I was looking at the hidecrafter's range and I was considering getting the scratch compass, but I've read that these compasses take a while to get used to and are not any better than regular adjustable groovers... I'll go for tandy or goods japan then=)

Hi! I did a bit of searching and I couldn't find much on various types of groovers. So far I've been using a regular tandy groover and I've even started getting more or less consistent results with it. How does it compare to Hidecrafter's stitch groovers and hidecrafter's & osborne's scratch compasses? Which one is the preferred tool for pros and why? Thanks!

Thanks guys. I'm considering incorporating anyway, but it seems to add a few extra bucks to expenses, so I haven't decided on it yet =)

Thanks lightningad! I love diy, but I just don't have much space for a workshop at the moment =( I'll definitely go with the photobox you are suggesting - it's got white background instead of blue like the one I found. Still don't know what to do with the lighting. I was about to throw away a broken clothes dryer, but now I think it will make a great portable frame, so I might try to mount some bayonets on it =) PS will 20 in be enough for archery quivers, or would 24in be better ? =)

Thanks Ferg! I'll try to get a few quotes then=)

Hi! I think its time I got myself a photobox. What do you think of this portable box here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Interfit-INT310-Photobox/dp/B0024NKHEA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1338186715&sr=8-9 Is it worth buying or would I be good with just the shower curtain setup? For lighting, I found this set of lights: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-Portable-Photo-Photography-Photobox-Cube-Studio-Light-Softbox-Tent-Lighting-/180875788098?pt=AU_Cameras_Photographic_Accessories&hash=item2a1d097f42 which would probably be good in terms of portability, but I don't think 2 of these will provide enough light. How many of them do you think I need? At 50W they don't seem too bright, but I have no idea if they are good for the box or not=) What bulbs do you use in your boxes? Thanks!

Dallas Cowboy, Thanks for the info!!! Your googling skills must be much better than mine! Went for 4 dvds so shipping wasn't too bad=)

The hosting prices you are quoting seem ridiculously high to me. I'm looking into websites now and hosting for a year comes up to about $40. Limit on pages seems ridiculous and I think you might be looking at a wrong kinda hosting. For site contents I've had a look at Joomla and WordPress so far and WP seems like it has everything you'd ever need for a website. Joomla is way too complicated but WP is very simple if you have some HTTP & php knowledge. Even if you don't its still quite easy to navigate. If you have some free time, I'd suggest migrating your site onto WP and forgetting all the trouble. If you want someone to design a site for you as you don't have time, it would probably cost about $200-300. That's your annual fee for your current weird hosting anyway, so it will pay off in 18 months time. Though I'm not a hosting or website expert =) Re the farmers market - don't just look at the costs, look at revenue too . If its 15 bucks a week, how much are you going to raise in revenue at the market? Keep in mind that people will be more likely to buy what they can see and feel (not just a pic on the internet) and that your website will still be running and selling while you're busy at the market.

Hi! Product liability insurance is something I'm interested in too. Does anyone on this forum have it? Personally, I'm against any unnecessary insurance (any insurance is gambling against the odds imho), but there are cases where you're better off with it. For general items: what if somebody's kid chews up their wallet that they bought from me and gets sick? Silly, perhaps, but looking at the modern trend for lawsuits, I can see somebody trying to sue me for not specifying that the wallet should be kept out of reach of hungry children. Even if they don't stand a chance in court, I would still need some cash to pay for a lawyer to defend myself. For things like dog collars its even worse: you won't sell many if you tell everyone to use them at their own risk! But if it snaps, I'm sure it will come back to me =(

Thanks for the photos! Now lets see if I can raise enough cash with sales to get a plane ticket across the pond and visit the next year's show =)))

Thats 2 really nice wallets! Would you be so kind to put more photos of the smaller one, especially the coins pocket? I've just finished my 6-card wallet, and it turned out fine-ish, but I'm struggling to get the coin compartment to look nice for my next wallet. Yours looks amazing + there is even some space for another card! Thanks!

Hi Particle, That's a very nice effect! How big & loud is an airbrush compressor? I was considering getting an airbrush but decided that it would be too loud for my flat. However, looking at your piece I'm starting to reconsider my decision =)

Hi again. Does anyone know where I can order the dvd? I only managed to find it on the SD trading website but they're out of stock =( Thanks!

Hi! I have a bottle of brown eco-flo all-in-one which has only been used once - before I've tried fiebing's. Is there any good use for it or will I be better off flushing it down the toilet and keeping the bottle for diluted dye? Thanks!

I think all of us, newbies, fell into the "kit" trap at least once. My eco-flo all-in-one is also scrapped=) So are fiebing's dye prep & edge kote. So are the starter stamps, mallet and the swivel knife. The overstitch wheel is still in use though=) The kit stuff is ok to try leatherwork out but if you want any semi-decent results, you need to upgrade. Looking back, I'd never spend £1-2k on tools to try them out half a year ago. Now when I know that I'm taking leatherwork further, I don't mind investing into quality tools & hoping that I'll recover some of the costs with sales. The 4-in-1 awl is ok as a scratch awl. I use it to widen the stitching holes for backstitching or double stitching (a diamond awl is more likely to cut the thread if you use it this way). Replacing the swivel knife helps a lot by the way=)

Let me guess... Tandy 4-in-1? If it is, then you should change the diamond awl bit for a scratching awl and never use it to punch holes for stitching again. Then throw the 2 diamond awl bits away and buy a good quality awl from a reputable tool maker. Otherwise you'll spend hours shaping & stropping the 4-in-1 diamond bit just to end up with a poor tool anyway.

Thanks! Glendon, how do these mats react to punches? What are the chances of driving one through such a mat?