Johanna

Luke, Office 2000 is your Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook etc. It's software to run on your Windows computer. When you boot the computer, what does the splash screen say? Which flavor of Windows do you have? Johanna

Luke, what OS version do you have? Johanna

July 25, 2007 Ban on Kangaroo Hides Puzzles Australians Here

Gremlin should be very proud of her leatherwork. I see you kept her busy burnishing too! I think it's great you have such an enthusiastic partner. You and Gremlin are sharing some special time- and it's true- they do grow up fast! One of mine was a baby just a short time ago, and now has an earpiece attached to a cord that runs somewhere in his pants doing I don't know what, and he doesn't talk much these days. Sigh. Thanks for sharing the story about Wallace, too. I had three Rottweilers, and they were not the evil beasts people thought. However, I knew I was the safest woman in town at night in bed! Nice work, Hoyden, keep tapping! Johanna

X, http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.p...=findpost&p=289 Johanna

It's easy, Bill! Copy the eBay link to your clipboard (highlight and press control c). Use the "New Post" or "Add Reply" button (not the fast reply that automatically opens at the bottom of a thread) and type your message. Then highlight a word or phrase, click the link button (you can hover your cursor over the buttons if you're not sure which icon is which yet) and a box will pop up. The "http://" is already there, and since you copied your link from your browser, hit delete, then paste your link in (press control v) and Voila! done. Or just paste the whole 2 mile long link, who cares? I don't know enough about eBay to go searching for this Stohlman art, and I can't be the only one! Johanna PS Send us extra rain. It's too dry here, and the farmers are beyond worried.

Azmal, If you don't already have them, you may want to pick up Al Stohman's three volume set of "The Art of Making Leather Cases". You already have the skills to make a briefcase like you drew, but there are lots of tricks to gussets and flaps described in his books that might save you some time and money. Ed, I'd be happy to put anything you want to share on dedicated webpage(s) with contact info, links to your site and fifteen reasons why people should buy your bags over what they see in the store or on eBay. Johanna

"Portmanteau" is the standard spelling, for the folks here who speak other languages. (It is amazing- in chat the other day we had people from three continents, and many of them could converse with each other in more than one language!) Luke- download "Image Resizer" from MSPowertoys and install it. It will add a right click option to pictures to automatically resize them, with three different choices for size. It it very easy to use, and free. SteveJ, what have you been working on lately? I've always liked buckskinner and reenactor events, do you go to those? Got any more pics to share? (hint hint!) Johanna

The possibilities of using this technology to create patterns is exciting- please keep us informed! JustWakinUp- I can't believe Tandy has never thought of doing geometric CraftAids! It would be one way to get basketweave designs with guidelines, and make quilting patterns a snap. I'm not familiar with Corel Draw either, and I know Adobe has more features than I know how to use, but even I can create patterns like this, so I don't think this is too much of a stretch for leatherworkers. Keep talking, guys, I'm listening! Johanna (the tech side of me has my head spinning with ideas!)

The most treasured gifts I have ever received are the ones that were not bought in a store, but made by hand. That bag is beautiful, and the customization adds to its charm. When the teacher uses her bag, she will always feel a smile in her heart, because her bag radiates the spirit in which it was given. I would love to learn more about your embroidery experiences, too. It looks like a whole new world of possiblities can be done now with some software and an eye for design. I remember the guys in Daytona who had lines for just sewing patches on leather jackets, so I wonder what kind of market there would be for embroidered wings? Or a company logo on Christmas gifts? The combination of fabric and leather, like you did on the bag, looks contemporary and stylish. Thanks for sharing! Johanna

Shared by Jerome of Grayhawk Leather, South Central Leathercrafters Guild (posted with permission) Members of this list (FLASAH) have remarked about how they would like to see more competitions and for the public to better understand the value of quality leathercraft. Well here is a chance to help develop both! This is a chance to get in on the first year of what may become one of the biggest Leathercraft competitions in the USA, and all it will take to make it that is your entries! Are you game to try? It has been confirmed that entry forms postmarked August 3 will be good to go. Also competition is open to anyone from anywhere! No need for a TN address. So look over what you have and pick out a few items to send to the Fair and see how you do against the rest of us. Entry forms and rules can be found at the following link. TN State Fair Leathercraft Competition Now is your chance. Get those entries filled out and mailed by Aug 3. We have a plan for delivery of items to the fair and pick up and return shipping. The TN State Fair can be as close as a UPS shipment from your home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The South Central Leathercrafters Guild is one of the more active guilds in the US, and has many talented and dedicated members. Please contact them directly for more information, whether it's about the fair, or membership. Johanna

Oh, yuck. I remember when my insurance company wanted the same thing. It satisfied them to have a video and a list of tools and leather with approx retail value. I remember inventory was tedious, and enlightening. We found things we had forgotten about! We ended up settling on a policy of what we figured we needed in case of fire, or whatever, and a minimum liability policy to satisfy the state. I don't know anyone who appraises leather shops, or anywhere one could be certified to do that. I know a few of us could walk a shop and take a good guess. Maybe ask if a set amount can be agreed on for a price, after you figure out what your shop is worth. (That's so much fun!) The good news was that since I had documented the shop in Georgia, when I moved to Ohio, my homeowners added a rider covering the shop, not as a business, but because it is an uncommonly big asset kept in the house. They accepted the paperwork my policy in Georgia was written on as the value of the shop, and I didn't have to do it all again. (I don't run the shop as a business now, so I didn't need any more than regular homeowner's liability insurance.) But hey, for a free vacation to Colorado, I'll be happy to print you up a shop appraisal and sign it with a list of my credentials. Johanna

I could set up an area that people could browse for leather goods and makers, and categorize it by item, area, name, or whatever, put a search function in, load it with thumbnails of examples, contact info and anything else you folks think would be useful. That kind of tech stuff is easy. I've actually been working on this type of Member Gallery in my spare (ha ha!) time. I have 50 or so members on that list who want to participate. I would prefer to point the potential customer to the maker's own website where the arrangements for custom work or a purchase can be made directly between the customer and the seller. One problem: not everyone who wants leather work has a website. An online portfolio may not make you rich, but it can sure be handy, letting your customers see your work and understand your policies at their convenience, and yours. If you are serious about paying bills with leather, and you don't already have a full waiting list, you may want to consider adding a website to your marketing plan. There is no way I want us to get into jurying work, ever. Visitors (customers) can judge someone's leather credibility by their websites, posts, pictures and the respect accorded by their peers. Beaverslayer's idea of a "Buy Now" area with PayPal buttons and regularly rotating merchandise might have merit though. Let's talk about that idea some more, especially the folks who do not have websites. I wholeheartedly agree with Regis, though, we don't want an e-leatherbay! Johanna Beaverslayer wrote: I would imagine that a lot of people that stop by this site and look at all the fantastic work that we show each other, wonder whether or not they can purchase something. I have also noticed that a lot of the members on here are just a bit shy about listing what it is they do in the "Leatherwork Specialty" section of thier Bio, and also listing thier website, should they have one, and also their location as to city and state/province. This would give them the added ability of making contact with you to actually come see your work in person. well said!

That's what I was always taught. If I were going to line a holster, I wouldn't use deerskin or suede either, for all the reasons given above. That said, I;'ve been known to do a few jobs "just like the customer wanted it" because I knew the check would clear. (Only exception being something that could get them killed, like slipshod saddle repair, etc) Johanna

Ken, do you mind if I put your explanation on its own page in the "Tips & Tricks" section? The pictures complement the explanation well. Thanks, Johanna

Tandy Leather Factory put out a free pdf on their newsletter today, and it would make an excellent first project. It's excerpted from an Al Stohlman book, so it's 50 years old, tried and true. FoldingKnifeCase.pdf I'm posting this here because no one has posted in this section for months. Think of all the youth group leaders who are Googling looking for ideas. You may think it's silly to do a wristband or barrette tutorial, or how to make a belt or wallet, but I promise you that if you write one and post it here, people will be thankful for it. If you have your kids/grandkids in the shop, take some pics and show us what they did, and how to do it. Post a topic explaining how to set a rivet or a snap, do a mystery braid, solve a Tandy kit puzzle, whatever...just some ideas. But please folks, don't think for a minute that "small" projects like this are not interesting! We are attracting lots of interested newcomers to leatherwork, and what better way to get them hooked than to take some of the mystery out of leatherwork, and teach them "the basics". I know lots of you work with youth, and some of you have had institutional experience. What were the first things you did, what really caught your attention, and would you be so kind to tell your stories and ideas? People want to know, and no project is too simple for this forum. I've never had trouble getting my kids to want to do leatherwork or beads, and getting their hands busy has saved my sanity a few times. I have done wristbands with 1st graders (they love water, banging mallets and coloring!) What things have you done? Please share! You may help spark an interest more than you could ever guess. TIA Johanna FoldingKnifeCase.pdf

You have a keen eye for detail and design as well as function. While looking at your work, it is apparent that you have given thought to the wearer's comfort and need to move freely while wearing it. I have seen quite a few folks walking around like the Tin Man at events, unable to bend! It would be great if you could explain a little about how you incorporate the ergonomics into your designs. I think that really sets your leatherwork apart- it's attractive, and it's functional. Johanna

Beezachoppa- It was a real treat to see the process, from beginning to end. I enjoy seeing the work you do, and now I have an even greater respect for your talent. Thanks for sharing with us. Johanna

Yep, can convert pdf to doc and vice versa. 4.4 Mb ought to be okay if your friend is willing to be patient while it downloads. Johanna

How big is the file? Word docs don't usually get too big unless there are alot of graphics included. If it's under 500K, just send it on. Most email providers will accept at least 5 gigs, (mine will do 10 or more) but if your receiver is on dial up, he'll hate you for it. To compress a file (or files) highlight the ones you want (hold the control key down as you click) then right click and choose "send to" which will bring up a menu. Pick "compressed file" which will create a file with a .zip extension. Bill, if the Word Doc is cumbersome, send it to me and I'll turn it into a pdf for you. Pics aren't a problem with a pdf. Johanna

http://www.leatherworker.net/forum/index.p...findpost&p=7403 The technical aspects of setting up a store would be fairly simple, but is there enough interest to make it worthwhile? Would it benefit anyone to have an additional gateway to sell merchandise? How would we handle sales, bookkeeping, inventory, shipping? Throw some ideas out, or tell us why this won't work...let's talk about it. Johanna

Johanna

I received a PM from a saddlemaker who said his insurance company insists that his customers sign a waiver, which their lawyers wrote, when he sells a saddle or does a repair. He is paying for coverage for liability in case someone falls off of a horse and sues him, not coverage for the shop, which he has included in his homeowner's policy. Go2Tex, since your shop is covered by your homeowner's policy, I'm thinking you are investigating a similar coverage or rider? Johanna

Charley, I've been looking at leather for many years,and that snake is one of the neatest things I've ever seen. You're about to get peppered with questions and praise, and you deserve it! Thanks for sharing, charley. That really is cool, and I love the coloring and detail. Wow. Johanna

Guys, I'm going to move this thread up to the main part of the board, because saddle shops aren't the only leather businesses that must carry insurance, and I'm sure others will be interested in how you decide to protect yourself, or may have experiences of their own to share about shop coverage. When we had a custom leather shop years ago, insurance companies didn't want to touch us. They didn't have a place on the form for "leatherworking shop" and they didn't like the potential risk once we explained the business. They didn't like customers coming to our house (where the shop was!) and they were concerned about liability if our work was to "fail". (I remember bringing one agent a piece of 8/9 oz leather and inviting him to break it. He wasn't very smart, because he was impressed, and never gave a thought to a seam or rivet popping!) I hope things are different now for the leatherworkers in business. Johanna