HARVEY

Well, here's some demographic information for you: City of Los Angeles is 454 square miles. Population is around 4 million. The County of Los Angeles is much larger population-wise; estimated at about 13 million. (I have no idea as to square mileage). Distance across L.A. County can easily run 45 miles. The area's a B-I-G place. Neighborhoods run from high-end Beverly Hills and Bel-Air to rent-controlled Santa Monica to totally Hispanic East L.A. to crime- and gang-ridden South-Central Los Angeles (Not that there aren't good people down there, but demographically-speaking the area is lower-income, less-educated and immigrant populations.) From a leather perspective . . . well, just figure what a city like Chicago, Atlanta, New York is like and you got L.A. Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country. Leather markets run the gamut from the fashion industry to the equestrian industry to custom cars and motorcycles. Good luck with your research. Harvey

They look very cool. Very innovative. Harvey

I'll pass on spiders. And I don't get Bowman at all. ????

I don't suppose, if the whip orderer doesn't like things, it would be gentlemanly to use the whip on him. For testing purposes only.

Aside from the gift, I really like the way you photographed it. A lotta folks worry over how to photograph projects: your setting really makes it shine.

My preference is Yahoo Maps, for what it's worth. What I'm looking to do is designate a starting point and find out how far driving "x" miles in a day would take me? If I was using a paper map I could use the key for mileage; if 60 miles equaled 1 inch, 8 inches would take me 480 miles. But is there a way t do this on Yahoo Maps, or Mapquest? Or another program? Thanks, Everyone! Harvey Los Angeles

Whenever I do a project, I oversize it so I can do "experimenting" on the outsize portion. Maybe just an inch or two around the actual project. This allows me to test anything on the same leather -- colors, impressions, dampness -- as the actual project. Same would allow for your maker's stamp. Just allow some extra weather, and try an impression alongside the real project. Harvey Los Angeles Uh, slight typo on my part there . . . make the extra LEATHER (not weather).

Folks are correct: Bob Beard no longer makes mauls. Period. I'd go with a 20oz as well. Heavy enough for maker stamps, box stamps, etc, but light enough it doesn't wear you out. I use Barry King round (circular?) maul, no angled heads. Sometimes the polyurethane flakes with little specks. I haven't figured out a way to prevent that. I've head Wayne Jueschke makes good mauls, but I don't know from personal experience. To add to this question, who DOES make custom mauls these days, aside from Barry and Wayne? Harvey Los Angeles

About 3 weeks ago I mailed some Barry King tools to Singapore, US mails. No problem. My recepient e-mailed he rec'd them about 10 days later. Harvey Los Angeles

Clay, Clay, Clay . . . How can you possibly think any of your tried-and-true leather friends would ever come to make fun of you? Just because when I was standing and talking with you and Charley Bay at Sheridan at the Leather Debut and all of a sudden . . . WHAM!!, the on-display toilet seat entry next to you crashed down . . . why, that could happen to anybody (almost.) I sure wish I could make it, but, alas . . . However, I will have you in mind and be working my mental mojo. Harvey L.A.

Ahh, Millicent, Millicent, how good to finally see you here. You're gonna like it. I can't begin to tell you how much info is packed into this site. (I'm sure you're discovering that already). And folks are a tad more relaxed here than on the IILG (unless you actually MISS folks that have gone off their meds!!) Beginner you call yourself? I've seen some of your work. You're too modest. Again, glad to see you here, Milli. Harvey Los Angeles

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY ALL THE PRIOR BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR BRUCE WEREN'T LARGER. HE'S GETTIN' O-L-D-E-R. MAKE IT EASY FOR HIM TO READ. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OLD BOY!)

Uhhh . . . is that a rigid phallus? Barring pharmaceuticals, seems like a rigid fallus (fall us) might be an oxymoron.

Bryan, This is NOT about the cracking problem. Rather, your workmanship. It looks quite good. Thus I'd suggest, if you can afford it, buy a quality (custom) basketweave stamp where the rope braid impression will come out clear and distinct. With your apparent quality of work and good coloring, a custom tool ( from Barry King, Wayne Jueschke, Gomph-Hackbarth, etc.) will enhance your work that much more. Basketweaves should start around $50, give-or-take. Harvey Los Angeles

Forever's a long time. I don't care if my stamp outlives me if I'm not here to use it. Depending upon the price from Harper or Inifinity, maybe you want to consider ordering TWO from Jeff Mosby. That might take you closer to forever at less expense. Harvey

I hope you'll post photos, and close-up ones too, of the winning entries. Harvey Los Angeles

Bryan, There's supposed to be a trade show in Elko, Nevada in mid-July (17th-18th or so). That should be do-able from the Bay Area. Harvey

Well, take consolation that you're not the Lone Ranger. My similar story goes back 4-5 years but I won't repeat it here. Why? Because when all is said and done, it's all about service. Service, service, service. I am sure some people are going to give reasons, excuses, etc. But I'll repeat myself: It's all about service. You either provide the service or you don't. My humble 2 cents re McMillan: don't waste your time. They have a long track record of this. Maybe long-standing customers or bigwigs get results. But if Joe Average doesn't, what good are they? Order from suppliers who supply. Harvey Los Angeles

Rant away, Tim; I dare say a lot of us are with you in your enthusiasm. It's hard to get jazzed over the new replacement tires you put on your vehicle, and nobody really cares very much anyways. But to talk about getting new custom tools, and getting quality leather . . . well hot damn, most of us here can sure appreciate that. Have at it and enjoy! Harvey

I like box stamps, but I can only think of 3 ways to make patterns: 1) a cross pattern; 2) an "x" pattern, and, 3) where you leave a box space "inside" and use a circular stamp for an add'l impression. Since the ATP levels of my brains cells are diminishing, are there other patterns that can be made from box stamps? And if you have anything, can you post an example? Thanks! Harvey Los Angeles

So . . . any suggestions how we can all link up? Since some folks are coming in early, others later, maybe Saturday noon by the check-in desk at the Holiday Inn? Whatcha think?? Harvey

Thanks for the heads up. Ellis was one helluva curmudgeon. Spunky, spirited and salty. And he sure made good tools. I guess this is a heads up: what will they say about each and every one us when we head to the Sand Hills? Harvey Los Angeles

Hi, All. I recently purchased a very slick magazine -- The Leather Work III -- which is all in Japanese. (The cover has a tooled Indian skull wearing a bonnet - a war bonnet). I can't make heads or tails of the magazine itself, just superior photography. On pages 22- 23, labeled Stamp Tools Catalogue, there are some tools I like. Has anyone ever ordered from Japan? If so, via who? Even though I had someone translate for me, that didn't help either in getting order/contact information. If anybody else has this magazine please PM me. Thanks for the help, Everyone. Harvey Los Angeles

Do we have any Japan-based members who can read and write both Japanese and English? I'm looking for a little hep. Thanks! (Arigato !) Harvey Los Angeles

Yes, there is Shop Talk. But another route to go is to look for past issues of magazines, depending upon your interests. If you're interested, for example, in dyeing/coloring techniques, older issues generally won't help, since ingredients and formulas change. If you're looking for patterns, however, or stimulating ideas, past issues are a great source. before there was the LCSJ there was "Make It With Leather" and "The Craftsman" (I believe that was its name). Magzines go back to the 1960s (if not earlier). Depending upon your language skills, you can look at foreign language magazines. Japanese, for example. They are always good for illustrations and photos. Likewise, check out the various guilds. A lot of them have monthly newsletters with all types of information and again, patterns. Lots of folks collect and some sell past issues of magazines. Post a "Wanted" notice on-line if you want to follow-up for magazines. Good hunting. Harvey Los Angeles