Clay

Here is the scan of the pattern. It still needs to be cleaned up and inked. Clay

Blake Thanks for the helpful tips. I apreciate it. My wife told me to walk away for a little wile and think about something else. I played with my kids for a bit then went back and tried it again. I have a draft now that I can clean up and I think it will work. I will post a scan of it. Thanks again. Clay M.

has any one ever been aflicted with leather workers block? I have been trying to draw a simple three flower pattern for a 4 and 1/4 inch by 8 inch day planner. I have drafted several different attempts and they are all looking the same and they are awful. I cant seem to get the right pattern going and it is making me go nuts. Have any of you all ever had this problem and if so what did you do? I am loosing my one day a week to work on stuff!!!! Clay M.

What a great topic. It is interesting to see different views on this. Personaly I was taught to use an awl and I like it better than punching holes or drilling be it right, wrong, traditional or not. The thing to keep in mind with an awl is that it is like the swivel knife blade it has to be very sharp and smooth to work properly. An awl used off of the shelf is probably not sharp enough and may be the reason why people get discouraged with awls and make the user want to try other methods of making the holes. As for lacing I prefer to use a lacing chisel for the same reason that was stated about using an awl, the leather is not removed, it is cut and compressed. It looks beter to me and it will also help prevent the lace from twisting as you are lacing the project. Thanks for the informative topic!!!! Clay M.

Bdette, I have been trying to learn to draw my own patterns for a while and I recently found abook that you might be familiar with or at least maybe the author. It is Avanced Drawing of Scrolls by Ron Smith. Ron Smith is a master engraver and has done some amazing work. It was writen for metal engravers, but it is very informative and crosses over to leatherwork easily. I think that it has already helped me with my pattern drawing. A search on the internet should give you several options on purchasing it. Clay M.

AWWWWW Thanks Guys!!!!!! It was another great day at work......

Try Indian Jewlers Supply they make a laser cut steel stam in various sizes. their number is 1-800-545-6540 Clay M.

Wimps, all of ya!! Try raising three step kids in their teens (that sometimes like you and call you by your name but mostly hate you and tell you so to your face) and having triplets that are two and a half!! My home is a tranquil and loving place.....NOT Clay M.

WOW that is amazing. How much time do you have invested in this? I agree with you that the helm doesnt quite fit the armour. In my opinion if it has been colored alot darker it would work better, I mean no disrespect but it almost has a humorous quality to it, like a ticked off big bird. Still the craftmanship and detail is remarkable.. Clay M.

I dont think that you did a very good job duplicating his old wallet...I mean where are the loose threads and your corners are still there and you can make out what is carved on the front. I hope that he was not mad at you for not duplicating it exactly... LOL just kidding!! You made a great wallet that is no duplicate of that old worn out thing!! Great job Clay M.

Hi guys, Yep I am up and running here in good ol' Rapid City. I learned the other day that the locals dont call it Rapid City, just Rapid. The store is set up and open for business and I am getting a few people in and I am happy about that as the paid advertising has not gone out yet. We got a little blurb in the local paper in the business section last week..nice!! I finnaly got most of my family here and the rest will be here next week. Got the internet today and have been playing catch up.. Well take care all and like I said before if you are ever this way stop in and pay me a visit.. Clay M.

MatthewD, The internet orders are sent to the nearest store to where the order comes from. There is a place on the order page where you can give special instructions or information to be included on your order. The best service for you though is probably the store in Chattanooga. It will save you two to three days shipping time..Also it is a wholesale location and will have a larger inventory meaning less chance of a back order. Clay

Is any one coming up to Sturgis, SD for the bike rally? If so come visit me in Rapid City, I just opened a new TLF store there. The address for the store is 514 Seventh St. Rapid City, SD and the phone is 877-800-1853. Clay M.

Johanna, Let me be the first...no second, umm third? fourth maybe fifth, wait I'm counting, is it tenth? aaahaa! The eighteenth person here to say HAPPY BIRTH DAY!!! Hope the your day is filled with laughter from you friends, love from your family and hugs and kisses from your children. Clay M.

I have not purchased any of Jeffs templates but I have seen them at the show in Sheridan and they look really cool and I think that they would work great for a person that wanted to do a small production run type of project. Clay M.

If I am not mistaken he is from Germany.... Clay M.

Ed, Here is what I would do, it is not by formula or sientific but it works for me. Take a piece of heavy paper and cut it to the same dimensions of the full piece that you are making. Fold it in half and then take a large circular item (around two inches across)and place it in the outside corner (where the two sides come together not where the fold is) be sure that the edges of the circular item and the edges of the paper are lined up. Draw this curve on the paper. Cut this off and then (still folded) mark a point about one half inch up from the bottom of where the flap edge will be. Freehand an arch fron the marked curved corner to the other corner (where the fold is) of the paper. It might take a couple of tries to get the arch just right. Cut and unfold and you should have a similar pattern to the flap on the briefcase you showed. ClayM.

To get good depth, there are several things that you can do. First is the swivel knife cuts the should be 1/3 to 1/2 the thickness of the leather and they should feather out to nothing as they come to the center of the vinework. Then the beveling is usually done with a steep angle beveler. If you do not have a steep angel beveler you can get the same effect by tilting a regular beveler forward as you walk it. You don't need a heavy mallet or maul, but the impressions do need to be to the same depth as the cuts or more and also feather with the cuts.. I use a 16 oz maul most of the time when I tool. The third thing the gives the depth is the background. What ever tool you like to use for the background should be used so that the background is well compressed and even. I like to use the bargrounders with the tiny, tiny seeds. But I also use a A-104 alot. Hope this helps a little, Clay M.

Great pictures ClayB. I am going to miss not being there next year.... Clay M.

I am not sure if you can mix anything with the leather glow but you can dye or color the leather first. I recently learned to use a watered down acrylic in the burnt sienna color as a wash, It makes the leather look leather colored. My advice is to experement and keep track of your mixtures and results on paper so that you can repeat any good results. Clay M.

Hi all, I just wanted to give some more info on Jim Linnell's Class In Kansas City. It will be a figure carving class with a demo on Jims way of painting with the acrylic colors. The fee will be $25 and will include the leather. For more onfo or to reserve your spot please contact Jim Brazeal at the Kansas City Tandy Leather Factory store Toll Free: 800-319-2704 or send an email to kansascity@tandyleather.com Clay M.

Holly, Here are a couple of patterns that I came up with. The second one is not inked and could use a little touch up. Let me know if this is what you had in mind. Clay M. also let me know if I need to email them direct to you...

Regis, Do you mean dipping the leather into the dyes or do you mean dipping snuff as in Skoal or Copenhagen chewing tobacco?? LOL No I have not tried dipping the leather into the dye if that is what you mean. Clay M.

Regis, The ECO- FLO dyes and finishes are a new environmentaly friendly product from Tandy Leather Factory. They were just introduced a couple of weeks ago. Clay M.