Johanna

Because you don't actually have a domain name Google doesn't rank your site like the others. You could improve the site with more descriptions and smaller-in-file-size pics. The page took a long time to load on my fast cable connection. If you don't feel like doing the upgrade yourself, PM CitizenKate for a quote. Johanna

Step one is to fill out your profile here, and include your web site. #2. Create an account in our directory and fill in all the info so people can find you. You can cross link with sites that have similar content to improve your site ranking. Step three is to submit your site to Google using "webmaster tools". While you're doing that, I'm off to look at your site. I'm going to be looking for keywords, good images, picture tags, contact info and other things that help your site be found on the 'net. ~J

Just made my hotel reservations- they still have rooms and they are honoring the CAL rate. See you all tomorrow night! Johanna

Arrangements are incomplete, but condolences to the family can be sent to Steven. Our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Harold Siegel. Johanna

Get an artist's gum eraser. It will take the adhesive off the leather without damaging it. You can find them in any craft or hobby store. HTH Johanna

Your daughter is beautiful. My daughter, Jane, is 11, and she loves to do things in the shop. If your daughter wants to be a pen pal, Jane would like to try. Thanks for sharing. Johanna

Take a look at http://paintingcow.com (Kate built that site) Is that what you had in mind? The CMS is open source, but she built a custom theme. How big is the pdf and is there more than one? Johanna

I have no recollection of seeing any staples on Doodle Pages, ever. I know ones that have been rolled, not folded, are considered to be worth more. When I was a Tandy mgr. in the 90s, Doodle pages came on a big pad and we tore the sheets off as needed. When empty, the back (cardboard) was great for pattern templates, too. Johanna

Dianne- when we see the related topics at the bottom of a thread, we sometimes forget to look at the date. This thread was started a year ago, and there were some temporary problems with the site. Of course it's working fine now, and so is the OP's computer, more than likely. I could remove that mod that resurrects old threads, but it's fun to read them sometimes, and many people have told me they've found more useful information about the subject they've searched for, so I hate to kill the feature. We just need to keep an eye on dates, that's all. All the best, Johanna

Well said. Many people have said to me. "I'm not a professional- I just make things to finance more tools and leather." When a customer comes into the shop and wants a $100 item for $15 because that's what it costs at the Mart of Wal, well, drive down and get one. If I went to rdb's shop and said, "I want a holster to match my other gear, with a certain cant, an extra feature or two, and my name in neon." I'd get it. You can't get custom work from mass manufacturers, which is why some of us can still pay the bills on Friday. If you want to take this up as a hobby, nah, it ain't cheap. It is satisfying and productive, and it feels good to combine function and form, like woodworking. If you want to be a professional, you have to work twice as hard at sales as the plumber or the electrician because the customer can go buy a nylon cheapie mass-produced boring item at a fraction of the cost, and the house isn't flooding or dark, so the customers are not as desperate. I encourage you to explore leatherworking. You have a start on tools, and an interest, and you always have us if you have a question. We're the unofficial "leatherworkers support group", all bitten by the leather bug, and we have meetings every night in the chat room. We know we're addicted, so we just try to help each other improve our work. When we figure out how to save money at it, we get all excited. Click the retailer ads at the top of the page to get more info. They are known for working with their customers above and beyond the call of duty. When you start making things that please you, you'll be hooked. But don't worry, you're in a good crowd. Johanna