billybopp

I'd suggest start with some of the simpler Tandy Craftaids. Craftaids take out the variable of tracing patterns. I'd suggest one of the simpler flower templates and some celtic knots. Celtic knots are deceptive! They look simple, but the long smooth curves are good for learning to control your swivel knife and also for learning to bevel where one line dives under another to get you thinking about beveling. I'd also suggest using some scrap for some exercises - Just make some lines - learn how to ease your swivel into and out of lines - trailing off pressure. Make some circles, make some S curves, then mirror them. All good for learning control. Just like practicing scales in music, or practicing your basic swing in golf. Hope that helps! - Bill

It sucks that that happened. While the leather might not be suitable for your intended purpose, it is interesting as is, and with the right hardware somebody will love it and buy it! - Bill

If you can't get incandescent lamps, they also make light-bulb-base heater elements that are about equivalent to a 100W incandescent lamp. Also, if you're hurting for space, there's no reason the cabinet couldn't be made collapsible to fold down to just a few inches. Maybe even wall mount it. - Bill

It is kind of a shitty title. - Bill

I use Dye-Gone II for hands, fabrics and surfaces. - Bill

Cool ... thanks! I was thinking it looked like it might be a window screen or piece of canvas. - Bill

Looks great, as always. I've been wondering, though, how do you get the texturing like on the blue one? - Bill

LOL! Your cat has you well-trained, human. They tend to be very good at that. -Bill

PNW is the Pacific NorthWest in the USA. US states of Washington, Oregon mostly, but you might extend that into Idaho and Northern California. I can certainly see how that could be confusing to the rest of the world! *End geography lesson* - Bill

The pack reminds me of seeing street salesmen in old movies where they carry something similar but in the form of a briefcase or suitcase. Mostly from the 1930s and 40s. I'd assume those movie depictions are based on reality - but have no way of really knowing! - Bill

I use 90% isopropyl in my burner. - Bill

It's kind of hard to nail down a date to celebrate. I don't remember some of the dates exactly, but you could argue that the day in early-mid June when they decided to do this thing would be the one. They appointed John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and two others whose names escape me to write the document which they did over the next several weeks. That document was presented on July 2 and approved with provision for a few minor changes and those changes were approved on July 4th, so either of those dates would be valid. The delegates left Philadelphia over the next few days and the public was informed on July 8th - that's when the Liberty bell was rung, etc. so that could be a good date to choose too. At that point, not all delegates had actually signed the declaration, and they did so over nearly two months. Choosing the day when the final signature went on could also be a valid choice to celebrate! In the end, it's a little complicated, but you still have to choose a date ... so the 4th it is!! John Adams was never happy with that, he insisted on the 2nd - and who knows - maybe the 4th was chosen just to tick him off! He was by all accounts blunt, opinionated, pushy and just plain not well liked - today we'd call him a prick! LOL - Bill

If you've got some letter stamps and a snap setter, a customized wristband might be nice and simple. - Bill

Awwwww. That's awesome! I bet they had a blast making those! - Bill

You may want to try "Dye Gone II" for removing dye from hands. It works great, and still available. - Bill

Looks great, but the problem that I see here is that two of those weights will gradually get lighter and lose effectiveness over time. The others look really great, too. You also triggered a thought - maybe make a weight that is "indented" - sort of like a donut filled in on one side of the hole - that would make a weight that would also be a safer coaster, and might even be good to hold your smaller dye bottles more safely. - Bill

If the leather is worn and not cracked, you might consider condition it and leave it alone. That wear tells a story! Just a though - Bill

I could be wrong, but I believe it is a shoe making tool used for trimming the leather around the sole. - Bill

Look for Arthur Porter on YouTube for bag making tutorials. There are also a number of books available. - Bill

Hmmm. I wasn't aware of this! Might be fascinating to check that out. Thanks. - Bill

Floral carving has been around for centuries. The differences are in how things are laid out, to some extent size, and a number of other factors. Some of it is individual style, some artists combine styles making it all the harder to pigeonhole things. So why pigeonhole them at all! Just as with paintings, styles and such can be hard to distinguish to the untrained eye but eventually it all starts to make sense. This may help - http://toolingtheus.com/ -Bill

Very nice indeed! - Bill

"There's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark out, we're wearing sunglasses and leather bowler hats." "Hit it"

@toprank your website English option isn't working, you may want to check with your webmaster. - Bill