wildrose

I have an Osborne head knife I'm not making use of. Bought it new from Tandy, used it maybe 3 times? I'll sell it to you for 40.00 WITH shipping included. Let me know and I'll get you a pic if you'd like.

I learned how to make them courtesy of Roo, who posted a video of it on Youtube, and also sent me a drawing/directions. There are a few people here doing them. I cut a strip of leather, stain it black, set the snaps, and punch an extra hole for the lace to feed through. The wrapped part is about 10 times the length of the band; the braided part is about 6 times it. The width of your strap and the thickness of the lace can affect those measurements. YOU MUST CUT ENOUGH, because unlike most projects, it's nigh impossible to splice more in.

While I don't have carpal tunnel, I do have both a maul and mallet from Barry King, and they are both light. The mallet isn't tapered. I love them both. I usually use the mallet if I'm doing stamping or hole punching, and the maul for tooling.

What can I say, I'm lazy - LOL! Kidding aside, I decided to see if I could cut down one I have and not mangle it up. I found this was honestly easier as some of the boxes have irregular measurements (go figure with cheap craft store boxes, really!) So I'm going to go with this route after all.

Well done write up! I vary my display show-to-show, depending on the space allotted me. Usually I bring 4 folding tables, and do an inverted U shape, so it is open at the front/center. I almost always bring something to work on. That's my short and sweet answer ;-)

I bought some small wood boxes in hexagon shapes, which previously I've bought hex leather shapes for to tool and glue on. Problem is, these boxes are smaller than the hex shapes I currently can find around for sale. Didn't Tandy/others used to offer them in a 2-1/2" or so size? The only ones I see on their site (and Zack White's) now are bigger. I can cut 'em down, but would rather buy them the right size to start with. I don't need that many.

Thanks both of you!

I'd made a different style one years back, but the wooden frame of it broke during their move to NC from NH. She'd asked me for a new one, and I thought with her birthday coming up Mar.7 it would be a good time! I know she'll like this, but myself I'm not 100% happy with it. She's a big fan of purple, so I went with thistle purple hi-lite; took a few coats but looks okay to me. I used contact cement on both the leather and the mirror. I decided to add the upholstery nails because the mirror is not flat/flush with the wooden back. Likely the glue would've held it, but thought an extra hold wouldn't hurt. However, I'm not sure I shouldn't have put a few around the leather part too? I'm going to see her at the end of this month, so it could get some other details before then... Anyhow, I might be a bit hyper critical of it, but those are my thoughts.

Okay, I made a post for it under the "Show Off" section. So when you get a card, or want to put up a pic of the one you made, please do so there. Thanks!

Our latest Pay It Forward (found under "All about us and off topic") encouraged members to make a card 3x5" or smaller, and send it to the next name on the list. This post is to show off what you got, or what you made. I didn't take a pic of mine, so I'm hoping Dawn will post a shot of it...

I noticed Storm posted his under the title Crystal's card. (made me think I must be the only one so far who didn't "sign" the front of the card...hmmm....) Anyhow, we really should have a topic for everyone to post theirs, separate from here. I may try to "move" them to the Show Off section with an Artisans' Trading Card heading; but I think a moderator more experienced than me could do a better job?

Nice job!

Mine went out to Dawn yesterday. Hope she takes a pic, 'cuz I was so eager to send it that I forgot!!!

That is one reason I kept a copy of the double triquetra I think I found on her site: a triquetra is NOT a unique to this artist design. Even her Celtic crosses. Okay, maybe she puts a line or two of her own on there, but it's not as if a Celtic cross is original to her.

There weren't many vendors there last year - hoping this year will be better. That said, it is still a FUN time and I highly recommend it. Wish I could go again this year, but we are planning a Disney trip and our money is tied up with that.

I remember when I almost sliced my finger tip off with a headknife. My son was about 2 (maybe a little older) at the time and was watching TV in the same room. Blood was gushing everywhere and I needed him out of the way quickly with no questions. All I could think of was to yell at him "Ethan, upstairs, NOW!" He probably thought I was mad at him, but I couldn't leave him in the room with the knife laying there while I tried to stop the bleeding. It worked. He went upstairs with me right behind him, and I was able to "leave the scene" for cleanup after going to the doctor.

Thanks all! I've got a trip planned to see my sister and her crew in Holly Springs, NC the weekend of Feb.26. I'll be stopping by Zack White on the 27th to get myself some leather!

Thank you Troy, you're great! My husband also felt I should've fought it and not just taken down the pics. My mom has done oil painting, and will sometimes use a picture she's found in a magazine to put on canvas. Like my taking a freeware clip off Aon to use as a pattern to carve on leather. I don't really see this as copyright infringement. I am using the picture as a basis and expanding on it, with my own skills and colors. Ah well, I appreciate all the comments and suggestions I've gotten on this topic.

This is a "hot topic" it seems, that I know we've discussed before. There are those, like Johanna, that have had negative experiences with it - and that I don't doubt whatsoever. Then there are those like my best friend (and former Tandy manager) who let his daughter teeth on pieces of it, and she is a happy and healthy almost 10 yr old now. Still, it IS treated with chemicals, so I don't think it's an appropriate chew toy for either pets or kids.

Okay, I've not had much luck, other than with small projects, with what I've gotten from Tandy lately. I'm only talking about leather, because I still shop them for other stuff. I've heard about Zack White, and I know there is a Tandy in the Raleigh region I can visit. Here's the thing, I want to go in person. I live below Roanoke, VA, and it's too far to Richmond store. My sis and her family are in the Raleigh area, so I'm willing to pay them a visit and shop in that area. Who to see? Or is there someone who will honestly ship me good leather? Keep in mind I DO NOT have alot to spend, and I don't buy much more than 1 side at a time, if that. I do have a tax id, so I was getting wholesale from Tandy; and Zack White said they'd do the same. Does anyone here deal with Zack White for tooling leather? I'm needing 4/5 oz.

Okay, here goes. I've included one other style too, from a Tandy kit, that I'd done with a group of kids up in PA. For the braided bracelets, I sometimes use "plastic" lace to get colors I've not found yet in leather, particularly for local schools. I prefer to dye the leather strip black or a dark brown, then wrap it - no matter what color wrap I'm using. However, you can see the effect when that ISN'T done with this maroon and orange one (VA Tech colors)

Yeah, that's it! LOL! My problem is that I'm as likely to cry over something that's "beautiful" as something that's sad.

I wear glasses too, and was regretting not wearing my contacts so the 3D glasses would fit better. But then I figured it worked out for the best, 'cuz crying and contacts don't get along, and I was doing a bit of crying. What can I say, some movies get me like that.

Thanks Ben! The "better off safe than sorry" is pretty much why I deleted the pics without an argument. Just not worth it. I'm posting it here simply because I don't want folks saying "oh, Holly sent me there".

Thought I had some pics, but couldn't find 'em. I have some bracelets though, so will take some later today.