cybertracy

mix the first coat of white paint 1/2 & 1/2 with another color (like blue or yellow, depending on the background)this will "mask out" the base color, and set your second coat of white paint to cover completely. This also works in the reverse, when trying to paint dark colors on a white background.

I've used a Sam Browne-type button on one end with corresponding hole slightly smaller on the other on kid's wrist bands. This closure seems easiest for the kids to put on themselves with one hand.

Hi Spence, I'd love to send you a picture but all my leatehrworking goodies are packed and stored at the moment. I tried to do a rough sketch (don't laugh) to give you an idea of materials & how it (sort-of) works. The horizontal and vertical pipe lengths are adjusted to the comfort of the braider. I keep several different lengths on hand and swap them out as my braid grows in length. For really long projects, you can unsnap the work from the top L and wrap it behind & bring it down and hook it to the middle T (and back up if needed). I find I use shorter lengths when sitting in a car or recliner, longer when on a straight-backed chair. You can place the bottom legs under your own to use it like a stitching pony, or put T's on the leg ends to make it more like a stand. I put a cupboard hook in the top L and hang my fid there. When you have to pause in your braiding, you simply split your strings and wrap them around the pipe opposite directions and loosely overhand tie them together, keeps the braid secure and laces from tangling. The project is completely inexpensive and with all the different PVC doodads completely customizable to whatever you may dream up. Sorry about the long explanation for a rather simple idea! If you have any questions, just pm me. Happy braiding.

I made a "braiding pony" out of PVC pipe. It can easily be extended by adding more pipe pieces, and as the braid gets longer I can wrap around a lower "T" to take up slack. With the pony between my legs, I can sit fully back in a chair with the braid always at the right height to avoid straining. I change the height occasionally just to keep from sitting in one position too long. It even works in the car, and can be dissassembled to travel.

Oxalic acid is also sold as the product "Barkeeper's Friend", which you can find in most grocery/hardware stores in cleaning supplies by the Comet or Ajax powders.

Finding a home to "sell" from (and be successful) would probably be costly in the LA area. Try outskirt towns (everything goes by time rather than miles). Don't discount the northerly places--just a short drive away and you leave the smog and crowd behind you (and cost of living is quite a bit less) About 40 min to an hour (on a good traffic day) away you can land in the coastal towns in Ventura County or a tad further in Santa Barbara--which is stuffed full of smaller shops that will sell on consignment (Ojai Valley is a small little town that does a huge consignment biz). You can still live in LA if you want to, and just take a trip to the outlying, smaller towns to sell your wares. I'm only suggesting shops outside LA because the cost (to you) is normally less and although the popularity is growing fast, the leatherworking skills have not caught up yet (I can only speak for Ventura County and north). In LA you've got a lot more competition. If you make your way out here (Ventura) stop by the Tandy there and say HI, just a couple miles downtown from us are tons of consignment and "antique" shops and I'd be glad to show you guys around. If you want any more detail or would like me to do some specific invenstigating for you, just send me an e.mail. PS: If you are hearing good things about a town or just curious, e.mail the Chamber of Commerce or the Visitor's Bureau for that town and they will be glad to send you a TON of stuff.

Hi Tim, When you come up with a winning recipe, be sure to post your success & share! Funny how I can't wait to try a new leatherworking concoction but have to be dragged kicking & screaming to make dinner.

I fouthed it, and not to get on a soapbox (don't even know what one looks like) but to make a muzzle heavy-duty enough to keep a Pitt Bull muzzled (somewhat short snouts for so much lower jaw, as well as all that extra jowlage and neck skin that was I believe is a trait bread into such dogs to, among other things, thwart their jaws from being held shut) it would almost have to be along the lines of Hannibal Lechter's device. Even with the easier breeds to muzzle, the muzzles are short-term, rather uncomfortable and distracting devices designed for veterinarian visits or other such events. A dog left alone trying like crazy to work a muzzle off his face can get into lots of trouble and perhaps hurt himself. Crating or even dog-proofing a spot in the garage, laundry room, bathroom or some small area where he can be comfortable in for a few hours would probably be a better idea. But. . . if anyone has a pattern that will fit my 62-year-old mother-in-law, I'd appreciate a holler.

The leather is so soft it was hard to keep a straight line not to mention actually poking the hole. Hi Frank, Using a spring sewing punch makes a world of difference in poking sewing holes in soft leather (as well as the lighter weight vegtan). Tandy sells one for about $40 (retail) and it is well worth the cost.

Hi Richard, thanks for the info, I'm struggling with a lamp/magnifier and find I have to contort all kinds of ways to keep from pounding the underside of the light with my mallot! You mentioned if you call you get the price mentioned in the Leathercrafter's Journal. Do you mean if you call the techlight company directly (from the number on their website) or do you have a different phone number from the ad in the magazine? Thank you, tracy

i always tell people who come in somewhat intimidated, but wanting to learn leathercarving, that it's called leatherCRAFT--you don't have to be an artist (although it helps) to do the craft well, just be able to use the tools as intended and follow directions (and practice). The art is what truely sets the bar up there for us crafters though.

you can also use the plastic coating dip for tool handles. I wrap painter's tape around the tool parts (ends, joints, etc) that I don't want dipped then dip a couple coats--makes a long-lasting comfortable grip. I use the different colors to color-code some of my tools.

dawn dishwashing detergent bottle (empty of course). Flip top easy open close (w/one hand) and application to leather is much easier to control. Use disposable brushes or wooden coffee stir sticks for spreading. Flip top can lets less air into the container (almost none) and glue won't dry so fast (no need for thinners) and the lid doesn't get messy with the never ending "string" of glue from the brush to the project.

great idea, thanks! Also much prettier than my manilla scrap I'm using.

read a post here once and it works like a charm. Put your glue in an empty dishwashing bottle (Dawn is a perfect size). Just hold upside down & squeeze out directly onto your leather. I save coffee stir sticks to spread the glue. The squeeze top is MUCH easier to control, no waiting for the "glue string" to lessen, and much quicker & easier to snap the top closed (one handed). Also MUCH less air gets introduced into the can as with the large screwtop/brush combo and the glue stays fresher longer. I am pouring from a gallon container into the squeeze bottle and no thickening yet. I'm in California and I'm trying to get every drop from the last original formula Barge I can!

Beautiful work, I like the color combination very much. I'd never lose my keys again with a piece like that to hook 'em to! Where did you get that fid?

Thanks Randy, and to all who PM'd! I knew you guys would have ideas & resources I never even thought of.

Hi, I feel kinda funky posting (and unsure if this is a good spot) but I'm trying to leave no stone unturned and as a group, youse leatherworkin' chaps seem to be really well connected and have some awesome ideas. My kids and I host a community center in exchange for a sweet little spot w/yard to park & live in our RV. We got very comfortable and I was able to quit a very high-stress kick-butt job and a second night job for one I enjoyed (at a local Tandy) that put me home with my kids where I was needed. Things couldn't have been better until the dreaded budget cuts ran right through our hunka home. Basically we've got 2 weeks to find somewhere else. Ideally I'm looking for a ranch-type setting with an RV pad/hookup that could use an extra hand (I worked a horse ranch when my kids were very young and can wield a manure rake like a samurai) and I "do" tractors & other handy things . . .or a similar spot that I can afford to park the RV (I have 2 amazing kids 13 & 15 and a well-behaived dog). We would also be very happy camphosting again and come with a very long list of references. I'm willing to relocate to find a good spot. I know we aren't as bad off as many are in these times and I'm grateful we've at least got the RV for now, but in my area rents (including RV parks) are insane and I don't think WallMart parkinglot would be open to my putting up a fence & patio umberlla (ha!) Thanks for any suggestions or leads if you have them, a PM would be just fine.

thank you! Can't wait to try this technique.

dang. . would've bid but didn't see the post until too late! Awesome idea and fun stories to read tho, thanks!

I find sometimes, even with all the tricks i've learned on this awesome site, if I apply too much pressure while trying to burnish I don't get good results. I have to remind myself over & over "less pressure" while I keep up the speed and it always improves the look.

just a follow-up . . . we got a "calling all stores" alert from the powers that be at Tandy and they are asking all the managers to check the alphabet conchos for defects and shipping out replacements asap. Thanks for your post jettrash!

I also love the Dr. Jacksons Hide Rejuvinator (pure conditioner, no protection) or the Aussie Leather Conditioner (slight protection). Apply just like Ray says, then rub what's left on your hands into your hands. I recommend either conditioner (depending on need) to everyone who comes into the shop looking for some leather TLC and have only had good results so far, but always safe to spot test when you can.