Sylvia

Very cool, Cheryl.

Miss V: You are always welcome and encouraged to play along. Chancy just indicated HIS favorites since he is sort of "host" these things at the moment. (Which we all just take with a grain of salt.... since we know he is just bonkers anyway. ) The May challenge is less restrictive on the tools... so begin your dragon hunt....I can't wait to see what you offer up.

https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/p-1658-standing-buffalo-video-tracing-and-photocarve.aspx?

Fair enough. I resisted facebook for years and was flabbergasted that all my favorite "coupon" sites forced me to "like" in order go get a dang coupon for something I needed. Then we had grandkids in Alaska... and I realize I was missing out on some of the smallest things... like pictures... talent show videos... kooky things little kids do. So I reluctantly joined.

Hi Jayjay: It's a challenge, not a contest... and yes show your carving by May 31. Remember this is for fun and to get you to stretch your skills and break out of what you would normally do. Have fun! Syl

lol good one.

Another "gait" is pacing in this case the horse move both right legs forward and then both left legs. It's unusual but a very comfortable ride.

I have a customer that wants something with a Chinese dragon. not japanese or european.... but for a challenge any dragon might be fun.

Really nice job. You might want to put one of those "like me on facebook" buttons on there too.

Bruce: Now that was interesting bit of info you gained from the old timer! It makes a lot of sense. I read somewhere that if making mocs to cut the leather perpendicular to the spine to keep it from twisting. I notice that some of the guitar straps I do have a distinct curve and I cut them parallel to the spine. This is usually fine because the curve will follow the body as it goes over the shoulder... but I wonder now if the left side will curve in the other direction.

I honestly don't think there is anything that would take the place of leather. Anything poly, plastic, foam, are all petroleum based so that doesn't work either. perhaps you can make some of that home made clay-dough with flour, water, salt and something else. But you would want to make sure that it is very well sealed once it's baked. Plaster might work if you carve that then saturate a pieces of fabric with starch then overly the carved plaster with the cloth and sort of wet form it into the shapes. Again this is going to be stiff... but you might be able to stuff the back sides with cotton batting and use some sort of natural woven cloth as a stabilizer to keep it in place. I originally thought layers of Felt would work but true felt is (you guessed it) 'animal based' and the synthetic felts are uh huh... petroleum based. If your customer is not opposed to non-kill animal products like wool... that might work. Wool felt once dampened can be compressed and it will retain the shape when it's dry.

Aaron: What's the max thickness of leather you've done?

That is because she doesn't work leather... so all she knows is the noise and that your back is turned towards her. Calmly explain that it's better to work the leather when it's at the ideal "case" than to have to re-wet it when you come back to it later. Then immediately go out and buy her a hobby. A beading loom might be a good choice, because if she gets good at it you can incorporate her work into some of yours. Belly dance lessons might be good for obvious reasons... one gets her out of the house without YOU... two you get to see the benefit. But be warned those costumes are EXPENSIVE! (see? I'm always thinking!)

Your correct response should be.... "Enough to buy you a pretty bobble, my dear." As the wise comedian Ron White says... "Diamonds..... That'll shut 'er up!"

Just a note: Vinegaroon will ONLY work on VEG tanned leather. (It reacts with Tannins) Since you don't know the origin or type of leather... I would avoid that technique.

Thanks! Payment sent!

It's kind of long... but interesting. And it may take a while to load on slower connections.

Yes. it does have a grain. Remember that it was once "bending" around an animal.

ha ha ha ha... I just translated Sueur.... it means "sweat" as in perspire. I think "Sueur Paris" is french for "Made in Paris" or perhaps "product of paris" probably more literally. "Sweat Paris" So... hmmm... There is an American Company that makes Cordovan leather called Horween out of Chicago. http://www.horween.com it lists two French stockists... meaning people who supply the leather or use it in their finished goods. FrenchTrotters 30 rue de Charonne Paris, France 75011 33(0) 147 008 435 http://frenchtrotters.fr/ Three locations in Paris. Paraboot 6 rue du Bourg l'Abbé Paris, France 75003 33 (0) 1 42 72 70 97 http://www.paraboot.com/ You might try the other "stockists" to see if you can find a supplier closer to home. Syl

Can you remember if it said "Paris, France" because there are other towns named Paris.... one of them is in Texas, USA. I also wonder if it isn't actually produced in a French speaking country rather than France. Just some ideas to aid in your search.

I don't know if you've noticed yet... but Tandy tools are coded. A is for bAckground B is for Beveler C is for Camoflage F is for Figure Carving etc. It's easy to think one is another if you are just looking at the heads but there are subtle differences.

Well, if it were me.... I would Deglaze redye refinish Look for Fiebings or Angelus Deglazer then dye with "OIL dye" allow it to dry for at least 24 hours, buff, buff, buff... until you see no more black on your rag... then finish with a clear finish.

It depends on how old your information is, I guess. It may have changed it's name. Good luck though I hope you find it.

Domino wins in my boook... for following the rules and really showing that A104 who's boss.