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

Oh, tell the truth, Ashley. You have a two ton press with a basketweave plate in your garage, and you are cranking this stuff out for mass production in overseas markets! Seriously, that is really pretty work, excellent stamping and coloring. Thanks for sharing. Now I'll go wipe the drool off of my keyboard. Johanna

Singing is a good idea. I have always sung my kids to sleep. They even make requests, now. I think it would be more fun to sit on the porch and watch the chicken, though, even if that is animal cruelty. Art, you are correct about the teamwork. If they ever figure out that by cooperating they will get over more, I might as well hang it up. Johanna

Go to the top of this page and click "leatherworker.net" (not the banner), and you will be taken directly to the home page. Our Sidney Wood graciously allowed us to use his three part tutorial on Pineapple Knots (they are pdfs). Yes, you can dye rawhide, too. Johanna

I've been a fan of Dave's work for a long time, and every now and then, just to tease him, I threaten to come to his shop and take pictures and make him talk. For more pics of his designs and braids, be sure to visit his website. Thanks for sharing (and checking in!) Dave! I've been wondering how you are, and hope all is well! Johanna

And make the letters be their own spacers. If you need to do "Donna", make the second "n" a "z" just so they all line up like they should. Just remember to change out the letters as needed. If the alphabet stamps are the standard ones, the back has the letter on what would be the bottom of the letter. I've had to get myself in the habit of double checking to make sure my letters didn't turn out upside down or sideways! Do a search on the board for "alphabet stamps", some of the members had some good ideas how to avoid the little boxes we all get now and then in another thread. Hope this helps. Johanna

Dale: I have thought about duct tape, but with my leather skills and tools, I could fasten them to the wall quicker. Art: I don't have a chicken, but the neighbor has a hyper poodle. Will that work? Ken: my husband has promised that they will grow up and leave, but he also said the teenagers would quit talking to us and lock themselves in their rooms. They didn't. Holly, if I got a job at Cabelas my husband would be ecstatic, and I'd never get him out of the store or actually receive a paycheck, but we'd have an arsenal, for sure. Tonight one of the kids had a meltdown over watermelon, insisting that her brother got more than she did. Silly me, I forgot to measure it or weigh it on a scale before I served it. Johanna

I know some carvers who wet the leather by immersing it and then keep it in a plastic bag in the fridge between work sessions. The leather looks mushy to me. I know others who put water on with a damp sponge or spray bottle as needed, and don't worry if the leather dries out in the meantime. I am interested to hear what you folks think, and why you do what you do, concerning casing. For the stamping i do, the spray bottle method has worked fine for me, but that's how i was taught; it's not like I ever knew any other ways. Johanna

I think the children are trying to find my last nerve and stomp on it. I have run out of creative ideas, travel plans and money, and I don't want them sitting on their behinds watching tv all day. What do you folks do in the summer to keep the kids busy that doesn't cost a lot? Whenever one of them complains or whines, they get assigned work, so the house is fairly clean at the moment. Any other ideas? Johanna No, I am not taking them into the leather shop. They are all on restriction for breaking rules from the last time we went downstairs together and tried to make a simple dog collar. Luckily, the blood didn't stain the leather.

Happy birthday! Is there going to be a party? The rotten kids put all the candles I deserved on my cake this year, and I thought the smoke alarm was going to go off. Hope it's a good one! Johanna

I have not seen too many people immerse leather, usually a spray bottle does the trick. YMMV Johanna

Guess what, Dan? You have a talent for floral carving, too! I'll let the pros tell you all the things you did correctly, and just say that I think it looks doggone good! Johanna

Hi, Grumpy! Could I beg, plead, or coax some basketweave tips from you? I liked looking at your other work, too, but the symmetry and coloring of the basketweave hammer holsters really caught my eye. I'm sure I'm just one of many who would love to know more about how you do that kind of work. Johanna

Ditto to what MatthewD said! I love the creativity, attention to detail and the obvious thought that went into the pieces! Do you have a website? I would love to learn more about your work, and where you draw your inspiration from. Johanna

An art library for members is a very good idea. Everyone would have to agree not to post trademarked images, and that whatever original designs they share could be freely used. David, I can override the attavhment settings and incluse a bmx file. Please send it to me at admin@leatherworker.net and I will post it on your topic. Johanna

A leatherworking store? Hmmm... This is the closest I've done so far: http://www.leatherworker.net/teasers/index.htm and it only showcases member websites. Me, I would pay more for a handmade custom bag, but I'm one of the minority of consumers that know the difference. My designer handbag friend has brought me many a purse to sew, rivet or repair (cheap construction, shoddy materials) and my own handmade items just need a little Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvenator once or twice a year. I would not choke on the price of Ed's bags, because of the quality, but the average consumer might, and buy a nylon one from a box store. The only way to change that common perception is education. Johanna

I think you did a hell of a save! I'd love to see more pics of your work, too. Johanna

Carl, That is heresy, and you'll surely be swiftly punished, but your kind words made me smile. You are proof positive that an older dog CAN learn new tricks! Thanks everybody for your good wishes. I never expected to be wished a happy birthday from around the world! It is a privilege to be here with all of you, old friends and new ones. Johanna

Romey's Knife Sharpening part one Romey's Knife Sharpening part two