Johanna

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

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