SmilinJim

HI folks I'll be online tonite around 8pm central if anyone is interested. Only way to make it work is if we use it. Jim

That is truly awesome. Nothing else to say but post more.

Hi I just ask a lot of questions. To me my leatherworking hobby is like my choice of work. I'm a surveyor and I had to work for a surveyor for about 5 years before I could take out a crew on my own. Only then did my time as an apprentice really start. I had another 6 years before I could take my test to become a surveyor. Same with this. I'm asking questions and making mistakes but still trying. I haven't gotten anywhere near the apprentice stage yet. Thats why I would like to see a good chat session take place regularly. A place to ask and learn from the more experienced and the pros. Thanks for your tips and there will be more questions. Thanks Jim

Hi folks I had a great time in chat with ClayB and Tom Katzke last nite. Need more people to join in. How about a regulat Sat nite schedule. Give some feedback pro or con. Can't act on it if no input Jim

Sounds like a good start. Since I'm one of those old folks that doesn't have to go out on Saturday nite and drink and .... well, I do remember those days though. For me the time is good, 8 central. How about it folks, any more ideas? Jim

Could a regular time be scheduled? I think it would be great for a regular session to set up. Saturdays at 7 or whatever. Get some feedback and time suggestions. One time may be good for some but not for others. Post what you think. Jim

More Brain Stuff . . . From Cambridge University. O lny srmat poelpe can raed tihs. cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs psas it on !! Psas Ti ON !

Though not as extravagant as the vests, these are easy and some of the local stores luv em. I have several other variations. Where else can you get $$$ for a 9 inch piece of leather scrap with a few rivets.

A couple of new covers. Nothing real fancy but I like them. Jim

Tuff Test !! You are driving in a car at a constant speed. On your left side is a valley and on your right side is a fire engine traveling at the same speed as you. In front of you is a galloping pig which is the same size as your car and you cannot overtake it. Behind you is a helicopter flying at ground level. Both the giant pig and the helicopter are also traveling at the same speed as you. What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation? (Scroll down when you've got the answer) Answer: Get off the children's carousel and stop drinking!!

Sorry for the delay Blake. Been workin 'out of town' actually in the sunny city of Auburn Ala. I'll post what I did when I get back but it's really nothing. My motto is 'Simple solutions from a simple mind' Jim

Thanks for the article. Post as many as you want. I want to learn as much as I can so I'll take any and all. Thanks Jim

Hey folks A suggestion only. I got the Stolman holster book and its great. However, make a mockup of the shoulder rigging from poster board first. I used his pattern and cut leather but it was too small for me (and the guy I was doing the holster for). Had to manipulate a little. Just the thing we're supposed to be able to do, right. I did one for a Smith .357 and it was heavy, had to change the cut again. Experiment, but my experience says to do a mockup first. Might save some expensive leather. Jim

I do quite a bit of 'different' carving. For truckers logbooks, field books, card cases, instrument cases etc (mostly guy in the field stuff) So you may want to look at www.deviantart.com, www.artuproar.com or www.thepinupfiles.com. There is a lot of inspiration out there.

I posted some instrument cases that had some 'naughty' designs and they were moved to the adult section. These are the notebook covers for everyone. War Eagle Blake and Roll Tide too. Also did a 'wallet'. I took a keycase template and used it for a pattern. Bonded a split between so I would have 2 pockets. Works as a small credit card, drivers license case. It's all I carry. Keep everything else in the vehicle. Wild Rose may recognize the pattern on the outside. Been in my hip pocket for a while so excuse the wear. Jim

I'm doing 4 patterns for my wife and her 3 sisters. I want to do jewelry boxes and the ones I'm trying use have a curved top, sort of like a chest, not flat. Any suggestions on finishing the edges of the leather. I will cover the entire box but not sure how to finish the curved edges. I really don't want to sew or lace the edge. Anyone with experience beveling maybe. I haven't done that. Jim

Hi Blake I'm from west of Birmingham. However, "Roll Tide", but been working in Auburn lately, construction. I don't know how large of a template can be made, guess its time to experiment. I'll get out the ones I've done and post some pics. Most are sort of simple but you could make as complex as you wanted. I've been wanting to try something with the alumilite and this may be the way. I've used the polymer clay to mold holders and such for my mp3 player for my car and for my daughters Ipod. It's just easy to work with but I think it would be too unstable for a large piece. Jim

Hi We did the casting resin thing too. Sticks to everything, forever, unless its a polyurethane. I cast some coins and name tags in several blocks for the kids when they were born and we did a table top. But what the .. try it. You may make it work. There are several other types on the market these days, maybe one of them would work. I saw one called alumalite. Might be a way there. Keep us posted if you try. SmilinJim

Hi Folks I did something sorta similar. My wife works with crafts and I cut a small pattern, didn't tool, and let it dry. Then I used a thin sheet of polymer clay on top, let it dry then removed from the leather. Baked it as the instructions say. Then I added a thick leather backing to it. You then have something similar to a craftaid in that you do get impressions into the cased leather. Works great for small projects. Haven't tried it on larger ones yet. Hope this helps a little. SmilinJim

Hi wildrose A question or two. I want to do some jewelry boxes but I want to cover the entire box. The boxes I have in mind have a curved top, more like a chest. I know I can glue the leather to the wood but how about finishing the edges, other than lace. I want to do 4 boxes, one for my wife and one for each of her three sisters. The theme will be the seasons, spring summer fall and winter, for their ages. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Like your art. Post some more. Jim

Hi folks I'm an older (58) southern gent from the great state of Alabama(Roll Tide). I've been doing the leather thing for about 8 months now. My dad, way back when I was a young teenager, made quite a few leather goods at the mines where he worked. He taught me a few things and I still have his tools. I didn't pay enough attention back then. Over the years I've done few things but didn't really get into it until last fall. It's been a great experience. I like doing larger scenes such as journal covers and such. I've posted a few things on the Show Off site here. Please, any comments, positive or negative, are welcome. I've got a long way to go I think. I like looking at other peoples work so please keep posting. I've already got some questions but I'll direct those to the individuals. Thanks Jim

A few different sized holsters.

I did a journal cover for my daily dairy and have made several others. Some are being worked on now.

These are some file folders/paper folders, the guys like these in the field, construction, they hold up well

One of the file folders I've done. This is first post so I hope I get it right