DoubleC

Thank you Chief. it runs through Feb. and I have some big plans for it like taking my stitching horse there when it gets here to do some hand sewing while folks are there, and next week I'm going to give away a free $5.00 gift certificate for my shop and draw at the end of the day. The other vendors like that idea and we're going to take turns I think. Or maybe just do a free one for all the vendors every week. And make the people be back there to win, just tons of ideas swimming through my head so probably won't get them all done by Feb LOL.

I think they are beautiful. yes there are some things like the lacing that you'll find gets easier, but I only hope my first set turns out as well. Cheryl

like I just told Bill I know it's about more stuff. and your ideas are good but I can't afford to invest anything else in the booth. I just put that banner up so people would know my name. I have an antique stitching horse coming and going to take it there and work on things while I sit and that will help a lot to attract attention I know. Maybe this Saturday I'll scatter things around instead of just putting them all together. I'll see how that looks. thanks for the ideas Jonathan. Cheryl

es it's always about stuff isn't it bill? I do need more stuff but I don't know what else to make up a this point. might try some trees and snowmen like suggested before for the upcoming season. I must have 15 bracelets and maybe I'll take them lout of the basket and scatter all these things around instead of collecting like things together. It would definitely look like more stuff. I'll see what i can do for the third one. Thanks, cheryl

Journal cover with book marks on it.

Thanks you guys. The tree sounds interesting David to go over a door knob. Will have to try one. Oh boo on work, yea to fun, LOL. Cheryl

Thanks Zina, Cheryl

Thanks David, Cheryl

Yes Mike I really am. The people love my service dog, and are so friendly, and I just like being some where that ISN'T home and feel comfortable. Thank you Mike. Cheryl

UH, not so sure 'bout all THAT, but I am happy about today Mike. LOL. Cheryl

Thanks Billy, Cheryl

Thanks Mike

Well today went a lot better than last week, bright sunny day, cheerful people, AND the girl from last week that took my card came back and ordered a custom guitar strap for her brother. And the other crafter still wants one for her Dad, is just waiting on final word on how he wants it, besides 'soft.' LOL. Was a good day, not nearly as anxious as before and next week I'm doing a drawing for a $5.00 gift certificate now that I cleared it with the organizer. The other vendors like the idea and I think we're going to take turns doing it. Maybe things are going to finally take a turn in the path I've been waiting for. Thanks all of you for your support.

At my age I'll just have to assume that's a good thing, LOL.

Hi Chavez. I line all my straps and no one has complained yet about sweat. And the one strap I replaced was a completely overlaid cobra strap that the guy had used for 20 years and sweat from his neck had actually eaten up the edge in that area of the cobra leather. But the veg tanned underneath was still fine. I'll be honest with you, if the musician takes the least bit of care of his strap I don't think the sweat will damage it. I have a horse and do you know how long bridles, halters, etc last? Clean and condition them once in a while and I think the straps will be good to go for a long time. I line mine so I can put foam on the underside of mine not to make them last longer. Cheryl

Thanks Kevin, will make it easier to find now that I'm carrying it all the time. We're having out first snow and the case will help keep it with me. Cheryl

I have recently made up a written policy for this very reason. I am the world's worst at collecting money. I have on there a 50% non refundable cutting fee for a custom order and if it's personalized like by initials or a name, that sort of thing, it's 100%. Something like that is almost impossible to sell. I guess it depends on how much you care about what these two guys say about you and I don't really think they can hurt your business much if you're working that far out. I agree, I don't think either of them are good reasons, so I'd advise you say no. But then that's easy for me to say. Cheryl

Hi Ferg. I did a challenge here a while back and did my horse in her field with a little trout stream going by. It was a challenge on perspective with a theme in it. I was able to indicate deeper areas of the stream using my pear shader in places and I didn't use color, I mean in the sense of blue, white, things like that. It might work to carve your wave and then use a thin white wash over the blue for the whitecaps while using one of you matting tools to leave a burnish for the deeper parts of the wave. Also the top of the wave is naturally going to be closer to the sun and brighter while the bottom will be shadowed from the crest of the wave looming over top. I'm probably not being very clear but this is how I did a perspective picture without using the natural colors of the items. There are more artistically inclined people here than me and I hope they can give you some more ideas. Cheryl

Kevin, what a great idea for chap stick. Very Cool!!!!! Cheryl

Hi David. I did the pattern first on thin cardboard freehand looking at a simple design online. Then I cut it out, that's where I got the 2 leaf design, but I didn't like it by itself. Those are 6. If I could just focus my attention, I could have a little assembly line of these things going like you suggest. I left all my tools and leather together for today so I could start the process just like you suggested. I just got worn out yesterday trying to make the design word for something I wasn't ashamed to sell. We're on the same page with this so thanks. Cheryl.

Well I just made my first leather ornament for the craft market. I had this embossed veg tanned green leather that was just crying out to be holly leaves. So I cut out three sets of two leaves, decided they looked too skimpy and glued them all together to make the ornament. By the time I got done I probably had an hour in something I can sell for 3 bucks, LOL. I'm doing something wrong. Then I updated my Etsy site with all my new things and I'm worn out. And of course my pictures were awful. At least at the market people can see what they really look ,like.

Very nice chief....good luck at your fairs. Cheryl