Johanna

Oh, Hilly- make sure you say "Hi" to me in April at the show! I'm so excited to get to put faces to names of friends! Ed- You're right, glovers needles are intended to pierce lighter weight leathers, and yes, they are very sharp. They do work great for handstitching, though, and are easier to use than a sharpened harness needle. I'm guessing Hilly and I have similar problems sewing because we lack regular hand strength. Sewing with pliers takes up time, and it's awkward. Hilly, are you stabbing the hole with the awl, sewing a stitch, stabbing, sewing, or are you poking all your holes ahead of time? Some leathers seem to want to close faster than others, so if you can get into the habit of using the awl while sewing, that might help. Johanna

Hilly- I like "glovers needles" for handsewing. They are slightly thinner than harness needles, but still sturdy and have a very sharp point that allows them to glide through the awl holes. I'm curious to see what everyone has to say about "dirty thread". Johanna

It's great to see this board being used as it was intended. Of course we like to hear about classes and see pictures! A sandal making tutorial would be great, too, Froghunter, we'll be glad to hear more about making sandals and shoes...wouldn't we, everybody? Johanna

Lovely Links page. Johanna

You're not the only person expressing some frustration over the lack of a class and event schedule. Maybe you could call David Reis of the Leathercrafters and Saddlers Journal? If you find anything out, please post it here so everyone else can make plans accordingly. Thanks! Johanna

Roo, you need your own workbench. Working off the kitchen table means you can't just set something aside for a few hours or days, and if your kitchen is like mine, there is no privacy or the quiet to concentrate. (Rotten kids!) Is there any place in the house you could work and call it yours? And yeah, leatherworkers get the blues now and then. Sometimes taking a break helps. Some people find something new to do or read about and get enthusiastic again. I know a lady who quit and does pottery now, too. I burned out right before John (my kids' father) died seven years ago, and I haven't made anything in the shop since. Don't let burn out happen to you, Roo. Focus on what you're interested in, and turn down all the jobs you don't want for awhile. Start a project that you've always wanted to do but never found the time to. Stay tuned to LW so you don't forget you're not alone. {{hugs}} Johanna

This Spring show is being sponsored by the Calumet guild, which is an IFoLG guild, but this is not an IFoLG sanctioned event. The show is similar to IFoLG shows- same vendors, teachers, competition rules, but it is not under the IFoLG umbrella. When you call for reservations, mention Calumet. Guilds usually negotiate a price with the hotel for the conference rooms based on the expected attendance. When you rent a room from the hosting hotel, it counts towards the guild's quota. Without this kind of support, guilds cannot afford to sponsor shows, so if you are tempted to save ten bucks at the motel across the street, remember that your room rental counts towards the host guild. It's important that we show our support for these local shows, or the guilds won't be able to continue to have them, and that would be a doggone shame. Contact Brent or his MIL, Carol Higgins, if you can make a raffle table donation or otherwise lend a hand. Brent, please post the hotel info as soon as you have it. Johanna

Johanna hurries up and orders a couple belts for her old man before rdb raises prices!

Alert member Leatheroo found this book on the Gutenberg Project, which converts copyright free or expired materials to public domain digital copies. It's written for rope, not leather, but who cares? The mechanics are the same, and the information looks very interesting. Good find, Roo! Thanks for sharing! Johanna You will need Adobe Reader to view this file. Click here to get it. knots.pdf knots.pdf

I guess I would just take it back to the place I bought it and ask for an exchange. We all have enough work to do without having to sweat over stropping. Johanna

Sorry, Cecil- the file is a scan of a book under copyright, and we don't have the author's permission to post it. Johanna

Hey, Kevin, can I use this tutorial for a special web page? Nice job!! Johanna

ain't it wonderful? I would say pick the main topic...in that case it would be dyes & finishes, because it wouldn't matter if it were a holster or a purse for that specific question. It makes it hard when people double post though, because then one of the greenies has to merge & move the posts. Johanna

Do you have a Frappr account? You may need to clear your cookies, close your browser and try again. The Frappr maps are not very user-friendly, we've found. Sometimes the software is downright unpredictable. You can try borrowing Beaverslayer's tinfoil suit, but don't touch his hat, whatever you do! The last time somebody knocked his hat off...well, we're still recovering from that one! Johanna

Some of you have asked me what you can do to help leatherworker.net. It is great that so many of you care about this site, and its goals of education, entertainment & fellowship. PARTICIPATE Post new topics, reply to existing topics. Share pictures, join in chats, ask questions and tell your stories. We have such a variety of leatherworkers here, in all ranges of experience and specialty levels. that it is easy to make new friends and learn from each other. CONTRIBUTE If you can spare a few dollars, click "My Controls" at the top of the page and "Purchase Paid Subscriptions" on the left. Any size donation is accepted, and all money is used to pay the site's bills. No one here gets paid a salary, this site is a labor of love. Contributing members get a few extras, like bigger mailboxes for PMs, and their names are in blue. Any help is appreciated. EDUCATE If you can do a tutorial, or share a video, or host a chat session, you are giving a huge gift to leatherland. I am available for any technical assistance you need. The staff will change your member title to "Instructor" and you will be able to see the "School Room" forum, where instructors can compare notes and share ideas for leatherworking classes, chats and demonstrations. You can always PM me here, or write to admin@leatherworker.net for more information. TELL YOUR FRIENDS and associates about this site. Send them a link and invite them to join. I'll put on more coffee and find them a seat. Link to us on your website, and we'll link to you here. Let your local leather guilds know that they can use a private chat room for meetings, or a public one for recruiting. We are delighted to meet new folks from all walks of leather, so spread the word! Thank you everybody for the support and extra encouragement following the January 3 crash. I get choked up thinking about all the kind words from leatherworkers around the world. It's good to know that people really care about what we are doing here, and are loyal and regular about logging in. If I ever need to justify the sleepless nights and the dents in my forehead from falling asleep at the keyboard, I can just reread the mail. You folks are the best! Johanna

I've got this show on my calendar- who else is going? I'll have to make myself a leatherworker.net name badge for these shows so I don't miss anyone. I think this is the largest leather guild in the world. Johanna

If you don't get a break when you call him directly, I will order the tools and ship them to you. That's way too much money for a small package, even if it needs to go to the other side of the world. Let me know if I can help. Johanna

http://www.swaineadeney.co.uk/

The link isn't working for me. Johanna

The worst part is that we saved all but a couple days worth of posts, and we just can't see them. They are here. *sigh We haven't given up on trying to restore them. Johanna

I spray it with water, and it usually holds the twist. I've think it's called "Cheyenne fringe" when it's done that way. Welcome to leatherworker.net! Hope you enjoy yourself here. Johanna

Yep, everything Clay said but I use single punch chisels on the corners. Can't wait to see it, Tina! Johanna

Just to clarify- Betty is selling a book by her dad, Harry Adams, called "The Saddlemaker's Shop Manual". This book is considered a classic favorite for anyone wanting to make a living with a saddle shop. Email or PM Betty directly by clicking her name above, and choosing from the options. LW has no connection or interest in the sales of these books, other than to let people know this is a book worth the money. Johanna

It looks very stylish, and the braided rein between the clips adds functional elegance. I like the contrast with the natural leather and the black, too. Thanks for sharing! Johanna

Very nice, Victor, as usual, and nothing is wrong with black and gold- those are STEELERS colors! Thanks for sharing! Johanna