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Back in the hippy days we had lots of co-ops. There were food coops, automotive garage coops, etc. I miss the convenience of those things. We saved a lot, and fixed a lot of things by combining resources. That camaraderie has mostly disappeared nowadays, but there are a few things popping up here and there that work similarily. A month or so back I was hoping to find a laser shop, that would allow me to pay for access, or at least reasonable rates and went googling along. I came across a site that talked about a sort of coop in Menlo,California. They had all kinds of equipment, from CNC and plasma cutters, from sewing machines to 3D modelers. I thought that was a great idea. But with my luck, I knew there wouldn't be anything like that around me. Just for yucks, I checked if they had any other locations. They had 3 locations. I was knocked over. One in Menlo, one in Beaverton, Oregon, and one right here in Durham, NC. The very next day I visited the place. Awesome toys!!! Last night I took the Laser Class, and lasered my first piece. WooHoo! And although the place is 45 minutes away, I can just plan out some jobs, and make a day of it. With the right planning, like wallet liner cutouts, and specific designs and lettering, I will probably get the hang of this, and save days of cutting and stamping on the bench. Not to mention the networking with all these creative individuals you can meet there!! So if the stars are shining on you, and you live near any of them, don't hesitate to take advantage. There maybe another company doing the same thing, I don't know, but make sure you check your area. http://techshop.ws/locations.html http://www.techshopdurham.com/ http://www.portlandtechshop.com/

I don't know of anyone who does, but I do put my dyes into a bottle big enough to keep the daubers in with the jar lid on (B&M Bean jars work good.). That way, they stay wet, and last a very long time.

It's a fun little page, I check into every once in awhile. Add Yourself! Looks like a lot more folk since last time I looked...coool! http://www.leatherworker.net/frapprleatherworker.htm

Boston's leather days are past history, now. Once famous for being home to Seigel's and Berman's and others, these types of places are few, I think. Frog will definitely help, for sure. He should be well acclimated by now (Probably sharpening his snow shovel in preparation for Winter..lol) Massachusetts being small, helps. You can easily visit outside of Boston within short driving times. Peter, at Waterhouse Leather has lots of good skins available. One of the one's I remember from years ago that's still there in Ipswich, is Ebinger Leather. I sure would like to see someone who lives there now fill us in....

IF you're talking about applying pictures, digital or photoed, you probably want Billy2Shews methods. Do a search here for billy2shews, and you'll find out his information. He has a video that explains it step by step. Billy's a great contributor to leatherworking, that's for sure.

Nice job Tom! Anyone from Suomi would be proud!

Thanx everyone. I know it ain't perfect, but nothing I do is. I'm more like the neighborhood handyman. Can't afford to buy 10 hides from W&C every week, and have to make do with the sections of leather I do have. I do like the design shape, though (patent pending guys...lol). These rear solo bags are hard to come by, I guess. There's only a few out there making them, or at least the google thinks so. My metal fabricator buddy is going to try and design a small universal bracket, instead of buckle and straps, to make putting it on various bikes. Don't know how that will work out yet, but he's damn good, so stay tuned. We may be starting a Design Site for the projects we collabarate on...we're working on garden gongs, swivel knives, head knifes, holsters for motorcycles, sheesh, just about anything we start yakking about. It takes my head out of the shop for a little while, so that's fun.

Thanx az, Casey! az, I don't count figgerin' time..lol, so We're even, I'll bet. Hopefully, you are right Casey. A couple of guys are still in Iraq, but when they get back, I'm hoping there's gonna be some "I want one".

Thanx jbird! That strop is getting well used, donchuworry.

Had to make a quicky bag for a bro, today. Spent about 4-5 hrs, so far. I need the bike to figure out how to strap it on, so that parts not done. It's meant to actually strap to the swingarm, not the tin. But for a fast one, this turned out okay. Well, at least it will hold stuff for his trip. Front and back are 8-9 oz veg tan, sides are 4-5 oz ( collapsible was the operative word...maybe). Dyed with saddle tan mixed with Neatsfoot, and a quick brushover with walnut/neatsfoot. Sno Proof top coat. I wish I could of put more time into making it better, but he needs it... Thanx for looking... -Dave

A most excellent tutorial. I need to see the closeup pictures in order to understand things. You did a great job showing, and explaining in this PDF. Thanks!

When Ebay made the feedback changes, the biggest vendor uproar ever happened. From what I understand, it's nigh impossible to undo bad comments. The treatment of users/vendors has fallen far below standards that would tempt me into using ebay again. Other topics here have discussed the whole ebay thing. You were one of their few defenders in those topics. But, because of your success there, I sure do hope you get this rectified soon. "Rectum, Nearly killed 'em" I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. Give 'em hell.

You did a great job Deb59! Sure are lucky to have the chance for the class. Sounds like you had a swell time.

jc, if the quality of your leatherwork comes close to your woodworking, you'll do just fine! Welcome to LW!

Happy 4th!!!! Bright sunny Carolina Day, here. The wife's birthday, hamburgers on the grill, with friends, and some poker ($8 table stakes). No Leatherwork, today!. Tomorrow, though....lol

Welcome, Marrok857...what Tom said. We hope to see some wristband pix and such, soon. Tom, I'm giving you "The Best Welcoming Comment of the Year" Award.

Welcome to the board, justme! Rockhounds are welcome, that's for sure. Stones, cabachons, etc, all go very well with leather. Personally, I like stones and leather a lot. Look forward to pictures of your projects.

My general rule is that the lettering should not go higher than 10" from the peg hole end. Hold a guitar to your chest, and you'll see that the front view is only good, in most circumstances, for the first foot. Some rockers like a low slung strap, which gives more room, but for most, it's just that first 8-10".

You never fail to impress, Dave. Good clean work.

I struggle everyday with the niche/generalist problem.Some may agree with my observations, others may not, but here's a few of my thoughts. There are a zillion factors in establishing leatherworking as a business. There are people who have been working full time at it for decades, That's the true path. Time. The western style of leatherworking is the Traditional jump off point, here in the US. Whether it's boots and saddles, rope cans, or Motorcycle seats, the carvings become all important. Then break that down into styles, like Sheridan or Floral. Break it down further to the personal touches of individual makers, and you have a robust, but very competitive market. Every niche, be it holsters, sheathes, biker, or BDSM has a price to pay. You have to be, or become immersed in that particular field you choose. Live in the city, never owned a horse...good luck establishing a tack repair business. Never rode a motorcycle, or don't own one...same problem. Start with the familiar. Whose in your circle? Is it the WOW folks? Or how about Office workers? You know better who it is exactly in your world. To me, that's where you begin. Whatever comes your way, you'll have to make it. From Portfolios to dog harness, there is a deep breadth of products, but each one takes some experience to make it quality. It's one thing to be a biker, jump into motorcycle leather, and make a living. It's another to have only a year or two under your belt, and try to become an expert in a particular field/niche. At first, being a generalist will make you a better craftsman. Each niche, each product has a particular skill or knack to it. The more general work you do, the more skills you develop and master. That's just common sense. Should you choose a niche from all that work, you'll only be a better Maker after the experiences. The career path is another way. Attend boot and saddle school or hook up with a saddlemaker. Work your tail off for some years, then branch out on your own. Should you hope to take a hobby and build it into a full time business, a lot depends on your local area, and it's potential. Some bypass that, and go primarily on the Web. Either way is a tough row at first. But the first thing I would suggest is to figure what hourly rate you need, be it $12 an hour or $30. All your product pricing is based on that, NOT the competition. For a very long time you will base things on that, but probably only make a tenth of what you hoped for. When you are in business, it's the PRODUCTION level that decides your success. If you make $200 belts, you have to have the market, and the ability to make them often enough, and good quality enough to succeed. Only being able to do make one and sell it every three weeks will not pay the grocery bill. Sell belts at $24 and you may be able to make that type of belt quicker, but you have to build a bigger market for all those $24s to add up. There's plenty of business advice on this forum, and the web to help establish a pricing/production/marketing schedule, but be careful, there is nobody that has the perfect answer to your particular situation. It might be rock solid business advice, but if it always worked, there would would never be business failures.

Are you talking about the line on edges? If so, that can sometimes be tricky. Could be anything like....Too hard/fast burnishing can be one cause. Seams not glued as tight as they can be. See hidepounders edge burnishing topic for an excellent breakdown to the edging process. You did a great job on the holster and mag. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?a...st&id=26832 http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...c=17332&hl=

We are very lucky to have Crystal, and the other mods! All good people who care about the board. The people make this the best Forum on the intertubes.

Welcome to the Board, Girl! I looked at your site, really good looking straps...can't wait to see some closeups. Looks like the Scandanavian contingent is growing...yay!

Thanx Spider, Tom, Ray, Dolphini, and Steve! Neither Steve...It's thin enough for the one fold over the lining, and a good pounding, but when I use it for wallets, I need to skive it (on glass) by hand, to get over all the cc pocket liners. I sometimes botch that. Sure do wish I could afford a skiver, but that's next years list, along with a flatbed stitcher, and a clicker, and a stand up riveter, and a press, and a PONY!, and a .....

As usual, UKRay has lots of good ideas. I'll just add one more, learn to braid, think, lanyards, and leather covered fids, and such. I did a lot of things working on the water, and the easiest thing to do while your sitting around looking at nothing but water, is to braid something in your hands, plus you'll have plenty of time to learn...lol. (FYI, fids, I grew up with, but with poly braid rope nowadays there's no need, except maybe splicing around a spindle, but it shows you know something about the sea when an old timer looks at your wares.)