Johanna

Got my Tandy package this morning- whoo-hoo- I am off to the shop to make something! I don't know what yet, but I have things i can use to cut again, right Clay? Even more exciting is that two of Clay's daughters and one of his sons are turning 4 tomorrow. Happy happy happy happy birthday to all of you, and may your house never be interrupted with a dull moment! Johanna

It was his shop, with his name on the door. He presented himself as a businessman. Some of us have gotten too casual and give stuff away before we sell it at a fair price, then we're out of business, and back to our day jobs. Steve's grandfather knew he had to earn and keep his customer's respect, or he'd be out of business. He was a very handsome man. Look how full his windows are- he did a fair amount of business, I would say! Thanks for sharing. Johanna

Isn't it wonderful getting up in the morning and going to work at something you love to do? Some of us have been very lucky to have that. My ten year old daughter sayus, "Mom, why do I have to go to school?" So that you have choices, honey. If you want to be a photographer or brain surgeon or leatherworker, I want you to be happy with what you do. Welcome to LW! Glad to have you here! Help yourself to the coffee and cookies, and make yourself at home. Johanna PS I've always admired Cliff Ketchum's work. What a mentor!

Thank you Tom for identifying the artist(s). When we post pics on here we try to make sure all credit is given where it's due. I also just fired off an email welcoming "Bob Basset" to check out the forum and how much we admired the work we'd seen. We've had a few folks become regulars after those kinds of notes, and i'm hoping the artists introduce themselves. Johanna

Who cares how you do the database coding as long as the customer doesn't see all that? Make it easy for the customer and don't make them type or say 12 digit alpha-numeric stock numbers. You may want to think about additional ways to market the products. Just because you have a website doesn't mean anyone will come. Diversity is great, but confusing the customer is bad. Might want to have different stores set up for products as different as home furnishings and jewelry. Just my two cents. Johanna

We have a Frappr map! http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...5&hl=frappr ~J

Barra, don't be silly. Those aren't "carts", they are "buggies". Ask anyone south of the Mason Dixon line. ~J

My first husband, Little Jon was from Massachusetts. I grew up in New Hampshire, so I understood him pretty well. I remember his frustration when he needed to exchange 2 dimes and nickel for a "kwahtah fuh the pahkin' meet-tuh" in Macon, Georgia. Because I'd lived in the south before, I stepped up and said "We need a case quarter, please." and she reached in her till. I have to confess I worked in a convenience store in SC for 3 months before I figured out what "nabs" were, and I thought it was pretty stupid to ask for a Coke if you wanted a Mt Dew, but hey, the gracious people of the south didn't (often) force me to drink their sweet tea. Ugh. The Yankee in me wants coffee morning noon and night. I never knew until I worked on the beach that people drank "tonic" "soda" or "pop" -the Ohio term- for breakfast. Johanna

Not a bad idea... David, I know losing your friend was awful, and I think making his wife something special was a nice way to say, "I care." In some situations words can't say what actions do, and when she holds that book and pen, she'll feel the affection that was always there. (I've been widowed twice, I know a little about comfort.) They are both gorgeous, by the way, and I'm sure she'll treasure them. Hey, I didn't know you made pens either. I knew you did some knives, but not pens. Got any pics to share? hint hint Johanna

There is a category in the Marketplace area for finished leather goods, and only one person has ever posted in there. I always thought people would say, "here is what I have listed in stock, in my catalog, on my website, ebay auction, etsy, myspace or just flat out describe the items and their prices. Break the ice in there and start posting. Ain't no shame in advertising your work here on LW and the Marketplace is already set up for it. Show pics of your work. You never know where Google will lead someone, today or next month. I subscribe to a couple of ebay sellers stores, and would love to see them at least post links on the board here. I like Matera's cuffs and watches, and that clean New York look. There is another fellow I would buy a belt from if I had the money. No, you won't get rich selling to leatherworkers, but they love looking at your work, and they'll tell their friends. It can't hurt to link with the forum. So go break the ice in virgin territory: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showforum=90 Johanna

I'm touched, Kevin. You've got so much going on right now, but you still thought about LW. I don't think everyone realizes that LW has bills too. I know you will get things squared away soon- you are a "can-do" kinda guy. I closed the shop 10 years ago, I never sewed on a machine much, and even I want to know the "secrets" to the look you get, even though I will never use the knowledge. My curiosity was piqued a long time ago because you do such fine work. Hope you get set up soon, and hugs to you and your son! Thank you for thinking about LW. We've been lucky to make some great friendships here, haven't we? Johanna

And never ever take on work without getting half your money up front. If they punk out, at least you won't be out the cost of your materials. Johanna

My daughter, Jane, is the same age as leathercat, Casey, and she thinks you are a super cool mom, and would I do that to her? "Oh Please, mom, you have an airbrush! I don't care what colors you use!" I told her maybe after church tomorrow...who cares if she is purple for school on Monday? Glad you ladies had a good time, and won some ribbons! Johanna

People’s Choice Emiko Yamaoka IILG BEST of OPEN DIVISION Emiko Yamaoka IILG BEST of SHOW Emiko Yamaoka IILG This was her entry inthe Open Division It was extremely carefully detailed. One of those, you think you've seen it all, then something stops you in your tracks. For me anyway. I guess everybody else too, because she earned the Peoples' Choice Award. Emiko is on the right. To the left is Michiko Matsuda, as equally talented. Mr & Mrs Theobald Keith and Tina, (yes, her shirt really does say "Bite Me".) Gerald "Woody" Woody holding up an ornament his wife Geraldine "Jerry" Woody made. Ga leathercrafters rock! Marcelo Dario, Lone Star, attended the ceremony and got a lot of attention from Roz. I did take his picture, but I'm not going to post it or you ladies will weep. He's a handsome man from Brazil, extremely talented, very taken. Rod Stanger http://leatherworker.net/ifolg08comp/pages/P1010083.htm http://leatherworker.net/ifolg08comp/pages/P1010075.htm Congratulations to all our members who won ribbons- I recognize almost all of you on the above list. Randahl, you need to get moved up, you're competing in too low a class. Oh well, Edd Lucas will get you sooner or later. If anyone want more detailed info, let me know. Johanna

IFoLG COMPETITION RESULTS for 2008 2008 OPEN DIVISION 2008 Category A: Pictures A-1: Pictures, uncolored flat, under 100 sq. in. 1 Christine Storms CIL 2 Eugene Cooper CIL 3 Randahl Gustafson Lone Star A-2: Pictures, uncolored, flat, over 100 sq. in. 1 Randahal Gustafson Lone Star 2 none 3 none A-3: Pictures, colored, flat, under 100 sq. in. 1 Randaha Gustafson Lone Star 2 Linda Zavala Prairie States 3 Joe Talbott Pikes Peak A-4: Pictures, colored, flat over 100 sq. in. 1 Michiko Matsuda IILG 2 Sharon Buck Everglades 3 Mary Ann Kunig Buckeye A-5: Pictures, embossed, under 100 sq. in. 1 none 2 Randahl Gustafson Lone Star 3 none A-6: Pictures, embossed, over 100 sq. in. 1 Riley Cornelius IILG 2 none 3 Randall Gustafson Lone Star A-7: Pictures, 3-dimensional under 100 sq. in. 1 Michiko Matsuda IILG 2 none 3 Sharon Buck Everglades A-8: Pictures, 3-dimensional over 100 sq. in. 1 none 2 none 3 none A-9: Pictures, leather framed, no limits 1 none 2 Lola Lee Loveall Lone Star 3 Steve Cox Bluegrass Category B: Cases B-1: Large carry & sporting cases. 1 none 2 none 3 E. Holke Prairie States B-2: Small carrying & sporting cases 1 Anton Chance Georgia 2 Tina Croff IILG 3 Randall Gustafson Lone Star B-3: Holsters & sheaths not attached to belt. 1 James W. Schawo Calumet 2 Tina Croff IILG 3 Brent Howard Hoosiers B-4: Holsters & sheaths attached to a belt. 1 none 2 Robert McCoy Bluegrass 3 Oakley T. Reed, Jr. South Central B-5: Purses, carved. 1 Tina Croff IILG 2 Mathew Branon Gateway 3 John W. Walsh Buffalo Trace B-6: Purses, stamped. 1 Chris Gilliland Prairie States 2 none 3 James Tullis Lone Star B-7: Purses, other 1 Michiko Matsuda IILG 2 Randall Gustafson Lone Star 3 John Jarvis CIL B-8: Books & book covers. 1 Steve Carter IILG 2 Scott Cox Bluegrass 3 Dave Smith Lone Star Category C: Pocket Items C-1: Billfolds or wallets, carved. 1 John Lynch Leather Artisans 2 M.M. Yzquiprdo Lone Star 3 Eugene Cooper CIL C-2: Billfolds or wallets, stamped 1 Helen Dean Georgia 2 James Tullis Lone Star 3 C. Douglas Pickering CIL C-3: Billfolds or wallets, other. 1 none 2 none 3 James Tullis Lone Star C-4: Pocket items, carved, stamped, or other. 1 Scott Cox Bluegrass 2 Marla Rieck CIL 3 Brent Howard Hoosiers C-5: Clutch purses, carved. 1 Brent Howard Hoosiers 2 none 3 James Tullis Lone Star C-6: Clutch purses, stamped. 1 none 2 none 3 James Tullis Lone Star C-7: Clutch purses, other. 1 none 2 none 3 James Tullis Lone Star Category D: Wearing Apparel D-1: Belts, carved. 1 Michiko Matsuda IILG 2 Douglas Winkler Blue Grass 3 Danny Kimbrell Bluegrass D-2: Belts, stamped. 1 Douglas Winkler Bluegrass 2 Eryk Smith Georgia 3 none D-3: Belts, braided. 1 Danny Kimbrell Bluegrass 2 none 3 none D-4: Belts, other. 1 none none 2 none none 3 none none D-5: Wearing apparel. 1 Linda Rostedt Buckeye 2 none 3 Galo Garcia Gateway D-6: Accessory items 1 Tina Croff IILG 2 Helen Dean Georgia 3 Emiko Yamaoka IILG Category E: Large Complex Items. E-1: Saddles, carved or stamped. 1 Jeff Swanson South Central 2 Tom Wilhelm Buckeye 3 none none E-2: Horse gear. 1 Nicole McClure Bluegrass 2 none 3 none E-3: Furniture. 1 none 2 none 3 none Category F: Household Items F-1: Molded & leather items formed over other medium other than leather. 1 Jay Vannoy Buckeye 2 Galo Garcia, Jr. Gateway 3 Christine Storms CIL F-2: Sculpted leather items cannot be formed over any other medium than leather. 1 Galo Garcia, Jr. Gateway 2 Linda Zavala Prairie States 3 none F-3: Household items. 1 Emiko Yamaoka IILG 2 Tina Croff IILG 3 Tommy Hillgren Lone Star F-4: Miscellaneous. 1 Scott Cox Bluegrass 2 C. Douglas Pickering CIL 3 Oakley T. Reed, Jr. South Central 2008 ADVANCED DIVISION 2008 Category H: Pictures H-1: Pictures, uncolored flat, under 100 sq. in. 1 none 2 none 3 none H-2: Pictures, uncolored, flat, over 100 sq. in. 1 David Theobald Pitt Pounders 2 Katherine Luby Buckeye 3 none H-3: Pictures, colored, flat, under 100 sq. in. 1 Bea Wayman CIL 2 Robert Ambriz Lthercrft. Gld. 3 Sandy Nowacki Buckeye H-4: Pictures, colored, flat over 100 sq. in. 1 David Briggs Pitt Pounders 2 Harold Bligan CIL 3 Sandy Nowacki Buckeye H-5: Pictures, embossed. 1 none 2 Clay Banyai Columbine 3 Bea Wayman CIL H-6: Pictures, 3-dimensional. 1 none 2 none 3 Mike Meyer Columbine H-7: Pictures, Leather framed, no limits. 1 none 2 none none 3 Bonnie Dunnewind CIL Category I: Cases I-1: Large carry & sporting cases. 1 Jeff Carnes Pitt Pounders 2 Charlie Crow St. Louis 3 Katherine Luby Buckeye I-2: Small carrying & sporting cases. 1 Arihiro Inoda Lone Star 2 David Briggs Pitt Pounders 3 Bob Kennedy Bluegrass I-3: Purses carved or stamped. 1 none 2 none 3 none I-4: Purses, other. 1 Sharron Schedler Bluegrass 2 none 3 none I-5: Books & book covers. 1 Clay Banyai Columbine 2 Randy Cornelius Buckeye 3 Allan Scheiderer Buckeye Category J: Pocket Items J-1: Billfolds or wallets, carved or stamped. 1 none 2 Sochiko Toyoshima Columbine 3 Dan DeWilde St. Louis J-2: Billfolds or wallets, other 1 Gerald Woody Georgia 2 none 3 none J-3: Pocket items 1 none 2 none none 3 Bob Kennedy Bluegrass J-4: Clutch purses, carved or stamped. 1 none 2 none 3 Allan Scheiderer Buckeye J-5: Clutch purses, other. 1 none 2 none 3 none Category K: Wearing Apparel K-1: Belts, carved. 1 Harold Bligan CIL 2 Charlie Crow St. Louis 3 Jim Frederick CIL K-2: Belts, stamped. 1 David Briggs Pitt Pounders 2 Ernie Wayman CIL 3 Charlie Crow St. Louis K-3: Belts, braided or other. 1 Mike Meyer Columbine 2 none 3 none K-4: Wearing apparel. 1 Jeff Carnes Pitt Pounders 2 Tim Kleffner Lone Star 3 Bob Kennedy Bluegrass K-5: Accessory items 1 none 2 Gerald Woody Georgia 3 Bob Kennedy Bluegrass Category L: Large Complex Items. L-1: Saddles, carved or stamped. 1 none 2 none 3 none L-2: Horse gear. 1 Gerald Woody Georgia 2 none 3 none L-3: Furniture. 1 none 2 none 3 none Category M: Household Items M-1: Molded & leather items formed over other medium other than leather. 1 none 2 Mike Meyer Columbine 3 none M-2: Household items. 1 John Dennehy Columbine 2 Sochike Toyoshimo Columbine 3 none M-3: Miscellaneous. 1 David Theobald Pitt Pounders 2 none 3 none 2008 MASTERS DIVISION 2008 Category Q: Pictures Q-1: Pictures, uncolored flat. 1 none 2 none 3 none Q-2: Pictures, colored, flat. 1 none 2 none 3 Clyde Gilliland CIL Q-3: Pictures, embossed. 1 Karen Siems IILG 2 none none 3 none none Q-4: Pictures, 3-deminsional. 1 Kathy Flanagan Columbine 2 Ernest Harris Calumet 3 Richard Passey IILG Q-5: Pictures, leather framed. 1 none 2 none 3 none Category R: Cases R-1: Large carry & sporting cases. 1 Marcelo Dario Lone Star 2 George Hurst Lone Star 3 none none R-2: Small carrying & sporting cases. 1 Clyde Gilliland CIL 2 none 3 none R-3: Purses, all. 1 none 2 none 3 none R-4: Books & book covers. 1 none 2 Marcelo Dario Lone Star 3 none Category S: Pocket Items S-1: Billfolds, or wallets, carved, stamped, or other. 1 William Brown Buckeye 2 Ute Yaeckel Lone Star 3 John France IILG S-2: Pocket items, all. 1 none 2 none 3 none S-3: Clutch purses, carved, stamped, or other. 1 none none 2 none none 3 none none Category T: Wearing Apparel T-1: Belts, carved, stamped, braided, or other. 1 George Hurst Lone Star 2 Clyde Gilliland CIL 3 none T-2: Wearing apparel. 1 Cyndde Griffith Buckeye 2 John France IILG 3 none T-3: Accessory items. 1 Clyde Gilliland CIL 2 none 3 Charles Crenshaw Buffalo Trace Category U: Large Complex Items. U-1: Saddles, carved or stamped. 1 none 2 none 3 none U-2: Horse gear. 1 Walter Priddy Buffalo Trace 2 none none 3 none none U-3: Furniture. 1 none none 2 none none 3 none none Category W: Household Items W-1: Molded & leather items formed over other medium other than leather. 1 Roderick Stranger IILG 2 Kathy Flanagan Columbine 3 none W-2: Household items. 1 Richard Passey IILG 2 none 3 Charles Crenshaw Buffalo Trace W-3: Miscellaneous. 1 Roderick Stranger IILG 2 Marcelo Dario Lone Star 3 none 2008 SPECIAL “Z” DIVISION 2008 Z-1: Juniors. 1 none 2 none 3 none Z-2: Seniors. 1 Lester Luce South Central 2 Monica Nibbe Calumet 3 none Z-3: Beginners. 1 Dom Siracusa Everglades 2 Linda Rostedt Buckeye 3 Thomas Putinsky Buckeye Z-4: Handicapped. 1 none 2 William Drope St. Louis 3 none Z-5: Partnership. OPEN 1 none 2 none 3 Tom Wilham Buckeye Don Martin Buckeye Z-5: Partnership. ADVANCED 1 David Theobald Pitt Pounders (his son) Theobald Pitt Pounders 2 Jim Frederick CIL Bonnie Dunnewind CIL 3 none Z-5: Partnership. MASTERS none Z-5: Partnership. SPECIAl None BUCKEYE AWARDS 2008 Competition 2008 OPEN DIVISION – BEST of CATEGORIES A: Riley Cornelius IILG B: Michiko Matsuda Lone Star C: Brent Howard Hoosiers D: Michiko Matsuda IILG E: Jeff Swanson South Central F: Emiko Yamaoka IILG ADVANCED DIVISION – BEST of CATEGORIES H: David Briggs Pitt Pounders I: Clay Banyai Columbine J: Gerald Woody Georgia K: Jeff Carnes Pitt Pounders L: Gerald Woody Georgia M: David Theobald Buckeye MASTERS DIVISION – BEST of CATEGORIES Q: Karen Siems IILG R: Marcelo Dario Lone Star S: William Brown Buckeye T: Cyndde Griffith Buckey U: Walther Priddy Buffalo Trace W: Roderick Stranger IILG Tribute to Dick Giehl George Hurst Lone Star Basket of Leather Edison Williams, Jr. Buffalo Trace Peoples' Choice Emiko Yamaoka IILG BEST of OPEN DIVISION Emiko Yamaoka IILG BEST of ADVANCED DIVISION David Briggs Pitt Pounders BEST of MASTERS Marcelo Dario Lone Star BEST of SHOW Emiko Yamaoka IILG 2008 BEST GUILD DISPLAY Lone Star

If I only had a dollar for everytime someone has said that about me! It's always MY fault. ~J

Okay, jacks and jennys make mules and hinnys. Can you tell them apart? They are sterile, but do they count as males, females or androgynous creatures? Do you yell "Whoa Boy!" or "Easy Girl!"? I'm curious because they used mules to pull the canal boats, not horses. There is no mention of donkeys in the history, but there had to be some, right? With no jacks, you don't get mules, right? The local history is full of mule stories and they sound like stubborn critters! Twelve and thirteen year old boys tended them and traveled from Cincinnati to Toledo, Lake Erie. I don't mean to be hijacking this thread, it's just something I've always wondered about. ~J

I've never had to pay for anything off the scrap pile at any monument yard. Sometimes the nice men will even put them in the truck for me. They always have a few that chipped, or they made a mistake, or there is some flaw you don't give a flip about. Someone should go to my old house in Georgia. We had so many we used them as stones outside the doors, like thresholds. I have a huge red granite one performing the same function on the south barn door here in Ohio. There are a couple in the shop, but they take up space, and how many do you need? (For me it would be the only one directly under the light!) Glue a piece of Poundo board to the bottom if you don't plan to use it as an inset to your bench. It cuts down on the noise, makes them easier to slide when they need moved and somehow stabilizes the stone so it is not as likely to fracture. Johanna

As you know, Randy, some customers don't really know what they want, and will use incorrect terms in their descriptions. People used to come in the Tandy store and ask for rawhide strings, but what they meant was latigo, that kind of thing. Perhaps they don't want mulehide after all. I'm guessing to them "mulehide" means tough and thick, not "mule" hide in particular. Take them some scraps of the leathers you would consider for the project and let them feel it and look at it. Bet you know what they want better than they do. By the way, what is the difference between a donkey and a mule? (I'm a town girl, can you tell? ) I was thinking "mule hide" sounds rugged and durable, "donkey skin" sounds cheap. But isn't it essentially the same thing? Johanna

After you look at the Stangers' site, you'll be able to pick out their pieces from the gallery easily! Johanna http://www.leatherwood.com.au/

Not to derail the thread, but did you see the two pieces Rod & Denise Stanger sent to the IFoLG show? Stunning, as usual. Rod understands and uses color to set his work apart. Johanna

Roboform has a good reputation and a proven history. Are you on Vista or still using XP, Bill? Johanna

Bobocat- thank you for sharing your work. It is quite unlike the styles we see here in the US, and we admire the quality of your art. I also wanted to thank you for referring some of your friends/colleagues to here- tell them not to be shy, just jump in and post. We enjoy learning from you, and would like to see your friends' pics, too. Johanna

Wow, the DonnaKay looks like a sweet blues guitar. Love the deep cutaway. I have a 30 some year old Guild that I love to pieces, but I would love to play that DonnaKay, just once. Your brother's sculptures are pretty cool, too- reminds me of The Dragon Lady's work with all the detail. Everyone here likes to look at fine craftsmanship- thanks for sharing, Tim. Tell him the folks here at LW said to Johanna

BillyP- the next time I go to visit my family in Charleston I'm gonna look you up, get a tour of your shop, give your dogs head scratches and buy you a beer. You just summed up the whole point and purpose of LW. Thank you. Johanna