Mike

Thank you. I will try that. I have just been using it from the history. We'll see how it works. If www.leatherworker.net and leatherworker.net are not the same, is there a DNS problem??? Mike

1. http://campbell-bosworth.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/6_71_73 2. I think I know what you mean. Little brass stubs with a rounded top and narrow waist, riveted on. The ones I have I bought at Tandy years ago. Ohio Travel Bag may have them. A search of Tandy/TLF did not turn up any. 3. Lot's of company's make these. Hidecrafters used to sell them. They might still. http://hidecrafter.com/ Mike

Admin, Thank you, Guest :D

Thanks, I will.

I agree Johanna. I do have a question that has probably been answered. How can we legally get patterns that are out-of-print. In this case, the book in question came in two forms, a hardback w/ removeable pages and a looseleaf contained in an envelope. Both have exactly the same ISBN numbers and dates. The pages are the same in both. However, the envelope has patterns on it that are not included on the hardback of the new version and are not included on a page. They only appear on the outer envelope. I do not know why they were not picked up with the new book format. (I thought the ISBN would be different, but it's not.) The last copyright was 1977 The Leathercraftsman. Anyway, I like the patterns but will refrain from posting them. It's just too bad they seem lost. I'm sure that there are many other patterns in a similar situation. Mike

Look at Silva Fox's website. She uses acrylic. You can call that painting. Then check out Peter Main's website. He uses dyes for the most part. Either way, you have to agree that colored leather can look very nice. Personally I find items such as floral carvings look better with just stains. Look at some of the recent Sheridan style work. Here is some of my work in both uncolored and colored. You should see that each has it's own place. no color or just antique only the eyes and nose are dyed pulled out all the stops and used both dye and paint Just my 2 cents. Mike

So you have one also. It's got some nice patterns in it. Good Luck.

I live in the Quinlan/Lake Tawakoni area of Texas. For those not in the know, it's about 50 miles east of downtown Dallas. Both the wife and I were born and raised in Dallas. My daughter had to go and be born in Connecticut. Shame on her. Of course, it could've been worse. She could've been born on Guam. That's were my wife and I spent our first 3 years of marriage. Mike

Yep, but it is in pieces. I do not know if I can legally post the whole thing. Johanna? What say ye?

The site cannot remember me. I have to log on every visit. Mike

I have both the older and newer copies of Design Artistry. I'm just curious if anyone has carved the eagle and floral pattern and if so, how did it turn out. I've been tempted several times but it is large and I have to tweak it somewhat. I've never seen a photo of this pattern carved.

There were/are 2 hardbacks. The pattern I have is from an older copy of Design Artistry. This is part of it.

Does anyone here have a copy of this book/pattern pack? I have two and the older one is packaged in an envelope. The envelope has a pattern on the back and one for the corners. This pattern was not put in the book that I have (big brown folder type of book). I would like to know if anyone has carved this pattern. It is an eagle perched in floral latticework. Mike

I like to know when something is backordered. My last order from somewhere else was a partial order. I called and was told the items were backordered. It would have saved both me and the company time and money if they had just told me they were backordered. Is it frustrating when items are out of stock? Yes. But it happens. It is very hard to correctly predict demand and keep adequate inventory. The leather store may also be backordered with the manufacturer. I know some items only have a single manufacturer. The reseller is at their mercy. (Sometimes, of course, the reseller drops the ball.) So will I continue to purchase from the company who made me call them to find out the status? Yes. I hope they get their invoices/packing lists straightened out so I can see what was backordered and I hope the stock is replenished soon but I like the store and usually they get things right. Just my 2 cents. Mike

I have one but haven't used it in quite awhile. When I did, it worked fine. I clamped it down and pulled deerskin into fringe with it. You can set up different spacings with it as well. Mike

I use X-ray film. Use a stiff piece of mat board or something similar and spread a THIN coat of rubber cement to the film. Let it get tacky before laying the leather on it. I have x-ray film cemented to the mat board and re-use it for each project. You can erase the rubber cement off with a gum eraser. Mike

I have used contact cement and white glue with good results. (either/or not together )

You're not the only one.

I just completed a test checkbook using a pattern of Kathleen Bonds from the Nov/Dec 1985 The Leather Craftsman magazine. It is a triple fold checkbook. I also have a Chan Geer pattern that is similar but does not fold out. I've also seen roper wallet/checkbooks. What seems to be popular? Do many of us make checkbooks, wallets and such. It's my day off so I thought I'd be curious today. Mike

It's the 'accordingly' that is getting me. I have tried it in the past but did not seem to get it right. I just wondered whether or not there were some simply guidelines.

Is there a tool or easy way to lay out the lacing slots so that the laces lay next to each other? A regular angled lacing punch leaves a bit of a gap.

I'm not entering the contest but I liked seeing Jim Linnell's work. By studying it, I see several areas I can improve in. I carved these earlier in the year (on that horse purse). They are my most current leaves. You can probably see where I could learn a thing or two from Mr. Linnell. Mike

Use the glue sparingly. You may use contact cement or white glue such as Leatherweld. Lightly apply to both sides, allow to become tacky and then adhere the pieces together.

The purse is gone now. Thank you for your nice comments. It was given as a gift to a co-worker. I think she likes it. Hilly - the purse is really not that large. About 7.5" h, 10.5" w and 2" deep. MikeG - It's a hell of a commute from TN to TX. Warren - my wife wants zippers, pockets inside & out, carvings and soft leather. She's still waiting.

I like the work but I do have my own 2 cents worth on the dyeing. As it darkens, it may be more difficult to see the foreground items against a background of the same color. I've always enjoyed RatFink, btw.