HARVEY

Good question. Overall and honestly, no. The orientation is western floral design and that's what he specializes in. Associated aspects like finishing or construction or such aren't addressed. Bob DOES have a chapter called "Defining Boundaries" with sub-topics of establishing borders, lettering, and hardware and silver, but the vast majority of the book is indeed western floral design.

Those of us who know Bob Park know the top-of-the-game leatherwork he does. And those of us who don’t should make it their business to know him. Bob has put out an 86 page, in-color book called CREATING WESTERN FLORAL DESIGNS. The pages are high-quality, glossy pages. Made to last. This is definitely a book to get. Stamp your name in it, `cause if you do share it, you want it coming back to you. Along with his distinctive style and patterns, Bob’s book contains not only step-by-step instructions, the book is VERY well illustrated. Along with some personal pages, he has 11 chapters ranging from “The Cut and Paste Approach” and “Getting Started” right through “Defining Boundaries”, “Designing With Circles”, “Pattern Flow” and more right down to “Secrets to Success”, “The Design Sequence”, and “Points To Remember”. By my count, Bob’s got 8 copyable patterns in there, including 3 that he calls “sample patterns” of 10, 6, and 5 flowers. The book has a “Design Elements” chapter of flowers, leaves, acanthus leaves (stumps), scrolls & buds. The “Photo Gallery” has beautiful, professionally taken color photos of saddles, chap yokes, boot tops, fenders and more by Steve Mecum of Wyoming, Cary Schwarz of Idaho, Andy Stevens of Nevada, Travis Stillson of Texas, Troy West of Texas, and of course his own section of photos of his own work: 7 photos of briefcases, a ship’s logbook, rope cans, tapadero lamp, ladies handbag,and a pad folio. Again, superior color photos: close-up detailed photos you can see clearly to study. Bob was selling this book at Sheridan. It was $45 - - - about the price of a Barry King basket stamp, less than a Bob Beard beveler. And equally important as either tool. I should say at this point I had a very small part in this book, helping to proofread the original manuscript for typos, grammar and clarity. I only saw a manuscript in process, not the finished product. But this is a real eye-popper, chock full of information, nuggets and tips. It’s a great reflection of Bob Park’s work itself: flat-out, top-of-the line quality. Harvey Los Angeles

Jon, Re time allocation, that's kind of a fluid thing. Classes run from a half day to 3-day classes, depending upon what class you may choose. Fortunately many of these are before the show itself opens, although there ARE classes during thee show (so folks have to make a choice). The show this year ran for really 2 1/2 days: Friday, Sat., and half of Sunday. Plus there's the Leather Debut at the show which you'll want to walk around and take photos. AND all the places in Sheridan. And if you're into western history and conflict there's the Indian battlefields from Little Big Horn 75 miles north to Fetterman Site 25 miles south. All that being said, time depends upon YOUR interests. If you're a horse and saddle guy, that's what Sheridan's all about. If you're more interested in tools, you'll need less time. Sewing machines?? There's 3-4 vendors of sewing machines. All in all, I would allow one solid day for doing the show itself. And then work classes around that one solid day. Have I answered your question sufficiently? If not, please let me know and I'll try and be interest-specific. Harvey

Yeah, yeah, you two -- Terri and CW -- are right. It's the collectible angle. Since he hasn't ben dead all that long, I guess I didn't think of it that way. Would Stohlman tools go for that much? I suppose so. I kind of overlooked the collectible facet versus the functional/quality facet of the name. Out of curiousity, do any of the dead toolmakers go for even more than that? Bob Dellis? Anybody else? Harvey

Just talking here, maybe to express some shock. I was at Sheridan this year, and over at Sheridan Leather Outfitters, Bob Douglas had a small collection of routine stamping tools by various name makers. Don King was one. I was shocked to see the prices he was asking: $130 and $150. Now I KNOW the cachet the name Don King has. Still, 150 bucks for a basket stamp struck me and strikes me as damned pricey. With all the custom makers out there, there are some excellent quality tools for routine (e.g., basket stamps) stamping tools. Does any other dead tool maker command these prices? Is this the usual price range for Don King, or because it was THE Sheridan Show? Or I am just turning into a damned cheapskate? Harvey Los Angeles

Something a little different at the show . . . I don't know how I managed to overlook posting this; must be gettin' old, gettin' old . . . The vendor Bee Natural was there, as always. With their full line of products. I have used a couple of their products and always been more than satisfied. But this show they had a new product in their line-up. And NOT in their catalogue. A small round jar filled with a clear jell that when you invert the jar didn't budge a bit. With a cute little baby elephant sticker on the top of the jar. One of those "Awwww . . . " moments. Although I didn't get it, the three people I was hanging around with (names will be withheld to protect the guilty) bought it. The good folks at Bee Natural told us it was a healing skin moisturizer. With a name that you'd just wanna bring home to the family, for men or women, boys or girls, granny and grandpa. Their latest . . . (scroll down. And this is not a joke) . . . ELEPHANT SNOT moisturizer.

This isn't "showing off" as our topic says, believe me. Just plain sharing. I haven't posted anything since Truman was president (O' that he were now!) and I'm not even sure how this will turn out. Most of the carving and such is done on this small notepad holder. But I still have to add some decorative cuts, do clean-up work, see what I've forgotten to bevel, etc., etc. There are three backgrounds here; pebble background, 1/8" cross-hatching, and simple matted backgrounding (by the initials). The pattern is from a Phil Livingston placemats pattern pack, and I shrank it to fit the size of this notepad. Obviously I still need to figure out how I'll finish it and the do the construction. But I've been hanging out in the shadows so long, thought I'd finally get back up on the scoreboard. Harvey Los Angeles

Aha! A second thought. Along with ID tags in red letters saying maybe LW.NET, how many folks are staying at the Holiday Inn itself? It might be easier to contact one another if we know where folks are staying. I, for example, have reservations at the Holiday Inn for Thurs/Fri/Sat. Anybody else staying there, or maybe across the way at the Mill Inn? Harvey

I'm planning on going as well. To ID each other -- goofy as it may sound -- I guess we ought to wear name tags just saying LW.net. As in years past, seems like meeting fellow members is hit-or-miss without them. Harvey Los Angeles

That is one handsome piece. You oughta be proud! I'd like to see a few more pics, closer-up. Harvey

I myself am a 3Bs man . . . basketweaves, border stamps and block stamps. Anything like those comin' down the pike? Thanks!

I am NOT a tool guy, Raquel, but based on the viewers and answers thus far . . . You might contact Bruce Johnson (http://brucejohnsonleather.com) or Bob Douglas (google him; bob douglas or sheridan leather outfitters) for information. These gentlemen specials in tools and they know their stuff. Plus they sell tools can advise you about quality. More folks may answer you here, but these men are IN THE BUSINESS, and have a large umbrella view and knowledge. Harvey

OK, One and All, I was using a BLACK fine-tipped Sharpie. I managed to make a slight mark outside the letter I was coloring in. Any keen, effective ways to remove or reduce it? Thanks, Harvey

I really like the workmanship around the word "champion." Clean, distinct, and a good font. Simple and understated, which shows in reality how well it's done. Harvey

Dave, I like that, I do. I hadn't thought of having but a few very wide rays. I've decided to cut it down to 15 alternating rays, or fewer. With 15, and each part being 12 degrees, there's the symmetry of both sides at the 180-degree point being the same. But I like yours as well. And probably a whole lot simpler. Thanks for the idea. Harvey

Ken, interesting idea. I never even thought of that. But see my next answer to Dave. Thanks for the input. Harvey

Hi, Ed! Candidly, no. Not exactly. BUT . . . you're style works, too. I definitely will try that out. Thanks! Harvey

Aha!! I found an image on line. If you go to http://www.buckles.com/ on that page it shows the buckle and labeled as "picture 2." It's not a great image but you can enlarge it and see what I mean.

Yes, kind of like that. Except of course we're talking a 3-dimensional image and not with alternating repeated colors for the rays. Plus, the rays all come together at one central point at the bottom. I'll see if I can copy the photo from the book and post it. Since I am crediting the author, I don't think there'll be any problems. (I don't want to get into any legal discussions here, folks. Just remember the old joke: Lawyers are like economists: if you lined them up end to end, they'd never reach a conclusion.)

I spotted a cool design in the book THE WESTERN BUCKLE, by David Stoecklin. For those of you who have the book, it's on page 38 and called "Srour Trophy Buckle with Early Bronc Rider "Sunburst" Design." (For those of you who don't it's a circular rope pattern, in which is a cowboy on a bucking horse and the top half background behind him is a sunburst pattern). Using a compass, I made a semi-circle and equally spaced lines coming to a specific point on the bottom. I tried carving this and my efforts turned out pretty flat. I tried single beveling one side, and then tried again double beveling each side. Stills looks pretty poor to me. Anybody have any suggestions on how to carve a sunburst that actually LOOKS like a sunburst. Pilamaya, muchas gracias, or thanks . . . whichever works. Harvey Los Angeles

Hellfire, Thank ya kindly. Worked like a charm. Sometimes I get embarrassed asking what I think everybody knows, but then I think of ol' Will Rogers' great line: "Everybody's ignorant, only on different subjects." Thanks again! Harvey

Hi, Guys. Need a little direction here. Using my PC here, when I print something out directly (like a news article), the print comes out King-Kong sized. A 1-page article takes 3-4 pages. Where do I need to go to adjust my default print size? Thanks, One and All. Harvey Los Angeles

Thanks, Everyone, for the responses. All appreciated. I'll look into the two models suggested. I know Harbor Freight has an iffy reputation. But based on the one item I've bought from them -- a benchtop drill press -- they're batting 1000% so far. Thanks again.

Looking for input here on which dremel models to consider or avoid. This is for slicking edges. Cord or cordless, is one superior to the other? Info on current models only please. Likewise, any online discount sites that off the top of your head you know of that sells them? Thanks!