Johanna

Regis, the Tandy Store manager in Nashville is Dave Howell, an old hand and an expert teacher. In Macon is the Georgia Leathercrafters Guild, which is a big drive, I know, but some great people. And you have all of us, as close as your keyboard, right here to hang out with, any time. One of my stepsons lives in Panama City Beach, is that anywhere near you? Johanna

The poinsettias were made by Jerry Woody of Cochran, Georgia. You would be surprised how many people feel a need to touch them to see if they are real or not, and then can't get over that they are made with leather. My mom picked up this hair barrette for me in Hawaii during a vacation and she said it was very inexpensive. It was carefully put together of leather, too. I would love to know who made it, and how they could sell it at that price. Johanna

ClayB, Holly (Wildrose), Alex (abn), Mike (Wolvie), Carl (cjbleather) so far. Well, me and dsenette, too. Anyone have any other suggestions? Clay, maybe ask Bruce Johnson? Kate? Maybe Silva? I would ask her if you didn't want to. Tell Bob Beard to register, we need him for head judge. LOL I guess we'd better first define what we're doing, and I think we want to keep the first project very simple. I will come up with some prizes. Let's figure out something- I love the enthusiasm, and I thank you all for agreeing to work on this. The Live Chat feature might come in handy. (Carl, you can do this!) You folks are the best! Johanna

If leather didn't have some grain and some marks, it would look like plastic. Some plastic vinyl even imitates the "look" of leather, like we might carve a wood texture in a hide. But there is no fooling what they call the "hand" of leather. It's the way it feels, smells, drapes, breathes. earns its reputation. From upholstery leather to veggie tanned, and everything in between, you can't synthetically imitate real leather. I think Kate demonstrated how what some might consider a "flaw" can actually be an integral part of the character of a piece. I remember Little Jon haggling to buy double shoulders and sides that looked ratty. Once he flipped them over and was sure the back was okay, he knew his carving would cover up or work around any marks, holes or flaws that other people would find objectionable. He got a few deals from retailers who figured they might as well break even. I had a customer who asked me to set aside any 8/9 oz hide that came in with a brand. He made designs around the brands. Regis, that piece looks normal to me. As long as it's not mushy when you wet it, and it's the same thickness as the rest, it's ordinary markings. Play up on them. That section might mold just a little better than the "clean" part, too. After awhile your hands will tell you more about a hide than your eyes ever could. Johanna

Happy Birthday, Monkey, may you have many more! Johanna

Wolvie- send me your list and I'll set up a private area for your contest committee this afternoon. I'm sure Holly would be a great help for a hundred reasons, and she also knows what was successful and what didn't work for other leather groups in the past. Johanna

Ibuprofen, rest and ice packs. It comes and goes, but I know if I overdo, it's gonna hurt for days. It was so bad 15 years ago I went to see a specialist, and he gave me HUGE ibuprofen pills (back then they were still prescription) and mostly that just upset my stomach. Resting the sore spot is the key. Like that's possible being a mom. LOL Johanna

Clay, Holly, Kate, (Oh, how I love lists!) So far. If you know leatherworkers who are lefties that are not on this list, post names here. Please vote. Carpel tunnel and other injuries kind of go with the leatherworker lifestyle. I smashed all the little bones in my right (dominant hand) wrist a few years ago, and it has forced me to learn to do things new ways, since my right hand does not work like it used to. Johanna

So much of that depends on the type of sewing you intend to do, and the style/brand of the machine you are using. I highly recommend learning on leather you don't care about, and taking your time. Always observe safety precautions. No one wants to have to ask to be driven to the ER so the docs can laugh as they carefully cut the threads you just neatly sewed into your other hand, and the leather you were working on. Be more specific with your question, Oscar, and you'll get more exact feedback. There are probably guys here who have modified the wife's home machine with an old engine they pulled from a Datsun and can sew leather or lace. Johanna

I'm a member of PSLAC, and I gladly link to their site at the bottom of every page of this forum (Rawhide Gazette is their newsletter). It is worth the $10 membership fee to browse through the members only files they have collected, and you can even buy the older newsletters on cd for a reasonable price. PSLAC started out as a buying cooperative, I believe. Bob Stelmack has devoted a lot of time to making sure the art isn't lost. The IFoLG show for 2008 will be here in Ohio, about two hours from my house. (We will have to have a party next year for weary travelers!) Wolvie, your head is not on a chopping block. Wood dulls my knives. It's a great idea, only I've got too much going on right now. You seem like a good planner. See if you can talk Carl and Clay into judging, and I'll ask Bob Stelmack (of PSLAC) if he will help, too. You've got some good ideas. Now write them down instead of copying my post! Shawn, your guild, the Prairie States Leather Guild, is becoming another good online resource for leatherworkers. The South Central leather Guild is another. Both of these guilds recognize the benefit of sharing fellowship and fun, as well as taking strong educational roles and archiving information. Along with FLASAH, they have done the most this past year to further the art of leathercraft. The Central Indiana Leathercrafters are doing a show in Indianapolis in April, but it's not "IFoLG" recognized. I am planning to go. Anyone can enter in a show like that. The trick is to get a group of people who will sponsor it. There used to be The Midwest Federation of Leather Guilds (any guild within 600 miles of Chicago could join) and they held an annual show for years. I'm not sure what happened to the Midwest Federation, but some guilds reorganized, and I can't recall any recent shows. (Maybe Carl could fill us in, or Blanche) I don't know why a similar show couldn't be organized, and if guilds/groups work together. I would like to work for a combined online library shared by all. There are a few people dedicated to preserving what yesterday's masters wrote and said, and documenting the outstanding leather workers of today. Bob Stelmack (PSLAC) Joe Holman (PSLG) Dave Howell and Jerome Wharburton (SCLG) Verlane Desgrange (Do you look at the Siegels catalog?), Ruth Barkely, who has the tedious job of sorting through Yahoo lists for nuggets to add the the LKB and others that I'm momentarily forgetting. I'm trying to do my part. There are archived Pitt Pounders newsletters available, and pics of the 2006 IFoLG show on their site: Pitt Pounders. So Wolvie, don't feel bad. I'm a dreamer. too. But if enough people care, and are interested, anything is possible. The IFoLG is proof of that. People participate because they want to, not because of any economic incentive. (Oh, yeah, and we have a great time!) Johanna

Well, ahem, there once upon a time was a company that considered "putting on the show" and establishing the world class standard. They invented the prestigious "Al Stohlman Award". Then there was a guild that grew so big that putting on an international show was discussed, but there was too much apathy to pursue it seriously. The Al Stohlman Award was turned over to the one magazine that caters to carvers, but is not available on your local newstand, so companies have trouble justifying the expense of the advertising. Leatherland is not very well organized, with the exception of the cooperation of the IFoLG member guilds. Part of it is economics. Even the big IFoLG shows are attended by vendors more out of courtesy and and the desire to see old friends, not any hope of making a profit or breaking even, after expenses. The teachers/instructors would say the same thing. The host of a show has to front some money to make it happen. To host a show like the IFoLG is known for- up front cost will be say between $4000-$8000, depending on what you can negotiate, and you hope to break even through the raffle, not the registrations, t-shirt sales or banquet tickets. Then, personal economics, scheduling and distance affect attendance. Can the average leatherworker afford to take few days off from work and drive or fly to the host city, stay in a hotel, eat out, rent a car and so forth? I am saving money to go to Texas because we have 4 kids, and rooms and restaurants...well, any family can do the math. It adds up. The IFoLG tries to alternate years where possible over the Mississippi River because people like me have never been to the western shows, and people like Clay seldom come east. That's the geographical problem. I think we could easily do contests or comparisons online with people voting for their favorites. I could ask around for donation prizes. I'd need a few of you to volunteer to judge so no one knows who did what until winners are announced. Wolvie, you're in charge of getting a few people to judge and suggest some ideas for patterns, guidelines, dates etc I'll set up an area where you guys can hash out the details privately, then you can announce it on the main board. If you're interested in leatherworker.net competitions, post here or PM Wolvie. Meanwhile, I need to get back to work on the member galleries. Don't forget to send me pictures and a bio so I can include your business, hobby or smiling face! gallery@leatherworker.net Johanna (still waiting for Dan's stuff! LOL)

PSLAC is a respected resource, but I don't think they are members of the IFoLG (International Federation of Leather Guilds). When you enter in an IFoLG competition, you must belong to a member guild. Lonestar has members from all over the world, and the Pitt Pounders also have out of state members. http://www.leatherworker.net/leatherguilds.htm Also, you can belong to more than one guild. There is always good natured bantering when the masters decide which guild to put down for competition entries. ("Pick our guild!" "No, ours!") The Pitt Pounders do a monthly newsletter which can be read online (shameless plug- I think the world of those folks, and I do their site www.pittpounders.org ) and Lonestar is hosting the big show this year. Johanna

And when they are older, and bored, you can keep their little hands busy and out of trouble by teaching them to braid, too. It saved my sanity a couple winters ago during an ice storm when the power wasn't on much. Holly, he is one handsome little boy! Johanna

That silver worked out nicely to accent the sword. He should be very pleased indeed. Johanna

Glad you could join us, Grumpy! Your basketweave does look wonderful, but so do your leaves. Thanks for sharing and hope you enjoy yourself here. Johanna

I really like the way Jack Justis uses the design in his pool cue cases. It looks very elegant. This page shows some variations of the traditional design, and the site explains the history and symbolism of the fleur-de-lis and other designs found on a family Coat of Arms. http://www.fleurdelis.com/fleurs.htm Johanna

That's one of the problems after you have judged a few shows. You can pretty much tell who did what, even though the names or marks are to be covered and the judges aren't supposed to know who entered what...but you can't help it. You recognize a style, and know so-and-so must have done that one... Johanna

Very nice, Oscar. I like the wood effect on the bible. It doesn't look like the traditional swivel knife cuts...how did you do that? My compliments on the coloring of both pieces, too. Johanna

Patrice- email them to admin@leatherworker.net and I will put them up so they can be downloaded. The reason they didn't email to the Yahoo account is because they are too big. Guys, don't put your real email addy on the open forum, or you will get extra spam. Anyone can click on your name and send you an email or Private Message (if you allow that). Editing posts now. Johanna

The safety beveler link that Wolvie posted is a better skiver than the Super Skiver, IMO. It is easier to control, blades are ordinary razor blades and not expensive of difficult to replace, and if you are needing to skive areas larger than the safety beveler can be expected to handle, you may want to consider buying hides of different weights to eliminate the need for skiving large areas. If you are just skiving folds, be gentle. Any skiving will weaken that point. For example, I skive a bit where I fold a belt for a buckle, but not too much in case they decide to hang a 10 lb. Texas special from it later on. Johanna

Regis, you shouldn't try to cut wet leather because you'll either get unexpected stretch, or the knife will jump and you will bleed on the leather. Only skive dry leather, and always push the blade away from you. Johanna

Try Neat lac thinner in an inconspicuous area. Sometimes acetone will work, too. (nail polish remover) Paint the bathroom and appliances to match? I would simply hide the whole area with the unfolded laundry my family ignores, and no one would ever know. Good luck, Holly! Johanna

If I were making holsters, I would be buying sides. I would cut belts and straps from the back edge, and holster patterns interlaced everywhere else on the hide. Holster parts can be wiggled around a side with a flaw or two, and interesting brands can sometimes be incorporated into the design. I am not sure making holsters justify the extra $ per sq. ft. for a "clean" double shoulder. It should be noted that I am cheap, too. Johanna

I would paint that sword with Neat Lac and do the black dye work around the design with a triple ought brush, being very careful not to let the dye bleed on the sword. It's just plain wrong to carve something like that and dye it black. If the customer hates it, which he won't, you can always dye over the Neat Lac with oil dye and it will be fine. Johanna

There is a book by Al Stohlman called "Leasthercraft Tools" that goes into even more detail than the video, available at any Tandy or Leather Factory store or dealer. It's a great reference guide for the shop. The book is well illustrated and covers all the regular tools. Johanna