Sylvia

CC: Depending on the guitarist...... there's gonna be sweat. You'll want something like your sheen to protect from that. You can dye through saddle soap so basically it would be the same as fresh veg tan. With my distressed strap, I dyed then sanded the wrinkles you saw... then re-oiled... allowed that to dry... then put resolene on it when that was dry, I re-sanded lightly.

Traditional Buckstitch is done with white or cream leather thong (lacing). Tandy has discontinued carrying it but you might get lucky and find some in their clearance bin. There is one source still available... just have to remember who it was. Ok, here you go... http://y-knotlace.com/yknot-store:21568/show/id:25676/ You'll also need a "Thonging" chisel or two (typically 1 tine and 4 tines) and a locking lacing needle. Have fun!

I'm pretty sure you can rewet a raw hide to finish the work. I know of another forum that has some pretty good instruction. Check your PM (upper right) I'll send you the link.

If you are referring to something similar to what you see on Native American regalia... it's deer skin, typically brain tanned... and the fringe is cut in a long spiral.. then stretched. Do you have an example of what you want to do? Maybe that would give us other ideas.

You may find your Teen will balk at the idea at first, but if it becomes a chore that he or she does on Tuesday and Thursday evenings... it won't interfere too much with their social life and if they get a small wage for their efforts they will be more amenable to the idea. If you choose to do this, the first few shipments will require your overseeing the process, print your shipping labels and packing lists, show them how to set up their work area and to check off the items as they go in the box. (when it comes time for them to have a real job in the real world... they will have something to put on their resume. :D ) You can recruit your little one too. He or she can help with some things like sweeping up the shop, emptying garbage, sorting scraps, etc. Make sure they know that the more they help dad during the week, the more time you'll be able to spend with them doing something fun on the weekends. Be sure you let them know they are doing a great job... that little bit of praise will go a long way toward their self esteem.

I think I have an idea that might work. You have those conchos carved in... so why not carve or stamp a Diamond Shape (like on a deck of cards) in between each of those. Heck you could alternate each of the cards symbols in between the conchos.... so it would be Concho, Diamond, Concho, Club, Concho, Heart, Concho, Spade.... that might be a bit much but you could just go with diamonds or spades....

Chancy Have you considered making leather bullets? Wet form them and glue/sew them on? I personally like the sides the way it is now with the carved conchos. Sometimes less is more.....

Good Golly, Art... you feeling ok? I imagine most good folks would realize these things happen and move on with life without feelings of being "miffed?" And if they are a reasonable and positive person who feels they need to, they could just give Tim a call to see if he is willing to honor the Father's day price. If he is great.... if not, oh well. Syl

Wow! $110 for Father's Day? That's a good deal. (Normally $140) I still can't afford one right now.....

Ah... the ever present Work-Live debacle. The only way to do this is to decide that you must have some time off. These are days you choose to NOT work. That means no regular job AND no leather work or related things. I recommend scheduling yourself 2 days OFF a week... and recruit others to help you so you can take the time off. If you would normally ship 6 days a week for instance. Change that to 2 times per week. Just simply say... I ship Wednesday and Friday and let it go at that. That alone will help you "find time" during the rest of the days. But remember if you make a schedule... you have to stick to it. If you have a teen in the house... train them to do the shipping part. They will gain knowledge of how it is done and you will gain a helper. If you are the food preparer in the house.... use your crock pot more. It doesn't heat up the house and 10 minutes in the morning while you make your coffee can yield a pot roast supper in the afternoon. Also think about how you can turn this "roast" into a second meal the following day. You'll not only save time, but you'll also save money. Use your regained time off to do something fun. Go to a movie, go for a hike.... get out and go fishing! Good luck.

Ray: Just like any machine it takes some time to learn to run. As the others have said... start slow, practice on scrap, keep the fingers out of the way.... but don't be too afraid of it. It's just a machine. As for High Speed internet. You might want to consider Satellite DSL. Here's a link to one provider. http://www.hughesnet.com/residential-satellite-internet/plans.cfm 1mbps is plenty of bandwidth to watch some videos online. sylv

LOL! Cute little buggers.... and I think it was prudent of you to increase the distance between you and the little guy.

LOL yes even the oldest sewing machines foot controller will do the very slow stitch.... they are all variable resistance controllers. Only the "industrial" clutch motors are full speed or off. And, no you are only supposed to do simple things until your skills are strong enough to do the more elaborate ones. In the old days of live-in furniture maker apprentices... the apprentice's first projects were small... a tool box... a stool... until they were skilled enough to be trusted with a small table... years later they were skilled enough to do elaborate pieces. Baby steps... stretch your skills a little each time. Don't dive into the deep end... until you can swim.

I really like the yellow and black one with the little corset

I've not found a "mat" finish yet. I don't brush my sealers on anymore. I airbrush them while they are laying flat on a table. Much less of a pain in the hiney that way. I don't bother with any of the black dye anymore either except as a thin top coat over Vinegaroon.

Try to keep it simple CC... don't get too elaborate... because it will only end up frustrating you, yet again. The covered bridge could be drawn with a ruler, fairly easily. You don't have to include the picnic part.

Living in the heart of summer: I suppose that could mean many things to many people. I'm going to list a few that say "summer" to me. Maybe that will help. Camping fishing swimming wading gardening, flowers, fruits of the garden copper tone babies Kids running through sprinklers Lemonade stands Cherries and berries Covered bridges ocean, lakes and river scenes

I guess folks are having issues getting started on this one.

You know what? If that is one inch or so... I bet Jerry and Joyce at http://www.blackriverlaser.com could make you a couple on their Maker's mark blanks. You would have to use a hefty handle or arbor press type thing to get a good impression... Call or email them and make sure you say you are a leatherworker.net member.

No... the proper way to repeat this cleaning is to boil it in gasoline over an open flame. *Kaboom!* (no more holster or ignorant customer) ***Please do not try this at home... this was only for humor purposes!***

Bob? Could you please list the dates for us??

glad you figured it out. I always dye first then stitch now.

Why not just cut a bunch of 2.5" chunks from a nice sized limb and drill a whole and put a stick into it?? You can make some wedges to help hold the heads on the handles.

Very nice.

Gentlemen: From reading and OLD turn of the 20th century book... it says to draw off the clear liquid after your vinegaroon has settled. Used a turkey baster.... or siphon it off, into a different container.