Regis

For faceted stones you could use an ear ring or tie tack type finding. For cabachons, you could solder fixture on back before burnishing the bezel down on the stone. I'll look through some of my jewelry catalogs. Regis

Welcome Colt, There are a lot of places to get books and videos. I've bought them from HideCrafters, Tandy, and Springfield (links are in supplier section of this site). There are some classes listed on the calander here and many in Fort Worth in October. You'll also find lots of help just browsing this forum. Again, Welcome

Bruce, Did you make the press frame? Does it have weld joints or all bolts? Is that 4" U-channel or an I beam? Regis

Welcome Julie, You've come to the right place for help and discussion. You will need a LARGE coffee to read through sewing machine info. There are a number of experts here on machines and Art is here often. Once again, glad to have you join and looking forward to your work. Regis

Welcome and I'm looking forward to seeing some of your carving.

Welcome Al. And I thought no resources was a "small town USA" thing. Never imagined you'd have problem finding help or other resorces in a metro area. Regis

Welcome Jesse, This is a great place to learn those tips. Your tattoo background should help you, especially with pattern layout.

Welcome Shock. You've found the best resource and looks like you are well on you way.

Indeed, Happy Birthday to both. Nice to see you young folks in the trade.

Welcome Kevin, Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

Hello Larry. This is definately the right place to bring those questions. And, you'll get lots of help and bonified answers. Welcome.

If that's Mongomery Alabama you are talkin' about, I'm interested in classes (especially carving). Tell us more about the purse class also.

Welcome. Looking forward to more of your work.

Bobby, Welcome & enjoy. You'll find the people as great and helpful as their skill. I'm north of you, up in the panhandle. And this time of year we keep one window open for leatherworker.net and a second window open to the weather channel. Regis

I really like that directory with examples idea. That promotes artisan sales and keeps helpful communication as the primary purpose of leatherworker.net. Most sales or retail sites do a little info/education in support of sales but, not as their primary purpose. sign me up coach! Regis

Interesting test that needs to be made. Surely the makers have done testing but, as yet, are not willing to release findings. Thank you for keeping ups up to date. Regis

Clay, Great! Just so clean looking. I don't know how you get such depth on leather thin enough for folder or album cover. Carving looks like it is in at least, 7 or 8 oz. Regis

Welcome Kathrynn St. James, For ye ol' leatherwork you will find fellowship and helpfull sharng here. Haven't seen any dragons passing through but, it's nice to see royalty with a knightly following joining us. Just googled Amtgardwise as I have never heard of it. Interesting. Welcome Regis

It would have to avoid looking like "e-leatherbay". I would think that all items would need to be 100% made by presenter himself/herself. If 10 leatherworkrs participated, there would probably never be a problem. But, if 100 or 500 particpated, there would inevitably be complaints and other problems (e.g. someone getting in that makes some items and imports some poorer quality items or parts). In past life, I've participated in some juried shows and galleries. That seems to work well as long as jurried catagories are fairly narrow and not broad (e.g. carved bags, holsters, embossed pictures, saddles, etc and NOT handcrafted leatherwork). That would specialize folks in one or 2 areas that they are particularly good in and enjoy. Most would probably do that anyway. Newer folks could get jurried in one area such as knife sheath or wallet. Long experienced folks would likely specialize somewhat even though they could technically make anything. Can't imagine a newer person taking order for a saddle because they have made one in a closely supervised class. Well, I guess that is more than 2 cents,,,,maybe 4 or 5 cents [lol] Regis

Indeed, Happy Birthday!

"handle sales, bookkeeping, inventory, shipping?" Johanna, you pretty much hit the issues. Only way that I can imagine something like this working is to have a common leather store with a display case for each seller. Customers would have central entry but must understand that each display case shows the work of an independant artisan. Customization, delivery time, and payment must be between buyer and seller. Just my 2c Regis

Welcome DM.

Welcome Mark, This is a great place to join-in learning and helping. Regis

Welcome Trippin' and great question. I've had same problem and clamp down a hard plastic straight edge like Don suggested. But, it will still take practice to get even depth and perfectly flat (not tilted one way or another). Good luck and excellent gift idea. Regis

Happy birthday,,,,,,the boss will/should give ya the day off [lol]!!!