HARVEY

Have you checked professional shoe supply stores? Harvey

Ever hear the old, OLD west term "a pizzle warmer"? I do believe they have been made out of leather. Harvey

They ARE treasures in their own right; I was thrilled when I obtained a copy several years back. Which book did you get, Pete? P.S.: Did you get my earlier "thank you" e-mail? I fear it went off into cyberspace. Harvey

I was sampling/playing around with this, and getting a lot of streaking. Plus it's really thin/watery. Suggestions/insights , please, on best way to use and apply it. Thanks! Harvey Los Angeles

Since you haven't rec'd much feedback on this let me say, Wow! REALLY nice. The crispness of your carving is a level to be attained. Yep, absolutely, please share more of your stuff. If your hubby doesn't appreciate this . . . dump him !! Harvey

Add me, Barry, to the happy folks who have seen you join the 21st century. I'm sure you'll enjoy increased sales. Suggestion: add something showing the custom tools you've done over the years; basket stamps, special designs, etc. Like maker stamps, when folks see others' ideas, it generates new ideas for even more new and custom tools. With this new website, gosh, now you be even MORE back-ordered!! All the best, Harvey

Jeez, Rawhide, you're takin' all the fun out of it.

An idle mind is the devil's playground: maybe if I did more leatherwork you guys wouldn't be hearing from me so much. <grin> While running around the site I noticed an 11-15-08 entry by Pete, Member #520, suggesting a place where we could post and/or download pattersn to share. I didn't see any feedback on that. Sounds like not a half-bad ideas. Any thought ever given to that. Yes, I can see possible pattern infringement issues from commercial for-sale pattern packs, but home-drawn ones, maybe not. With the right guide lines it might work. Whaddya think? Harvey

Wolfie, your tag line about "Hit Me" . . . Ever hear the one "The masochist says 'Beat me" and the sadist says 'No.'"

Hilly, Everybody'll tell you the same things: ventilate, Ventilate, VENTILATE. Good ventilation and air flow is the key. Whether Neat-Lac, Barge, Dual88, yeah, one can hold a seance all by themselves, but it's not the suggested course. Open windows, doors, maybe have a fan circulating so the fumes don't go straight up into your brain. Failing that, you then have two options: 1) take up cermaics, 2) put on some Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, etc., and enjoy the journey. Harvey

Thank you mucho, Bob. Your pieces, as several others, just have that beautiful warm glow. Kinda reminds me of when I was 18 and . . . well, that's another story. When you dye lettering, do you do it before or after Neatsfooting it? And do you use Sharpies or spirit dyes? Thanks again, Bob.

Thank you, Big Dan, for the referral. I'm printing these out to keep handy. Now, maybe Hidepounder will weigh in, too. Thanks again. By the by, where in Montana are ya?

Wow! R-e-a-l-l-y nice. I really like your use of color and design. And that swivel knife work inside is great. A terrific looking piece! Harvey

After looking at some of Bruce Johnson's and Hidepounder's (Bob Park) postings, how DO you get that gorgeous golden yellow finish? Type of leather? Sun exposure? Fiebings? How DO you guys do it?? Harvey Los Angeles

Attention, Administrators (Johanna and others): What are the chances that members could get together somehow at the next Sheridan show? It's anybody's guess how many members mightshow up, but this being the great group it is, wouldn't it be cool if we could somehow coordinate a get-together?? Whaddya think? Harvey

Aah, what can I say but a hearty THANK YOU, one and all, for affirming for me I'm not the only one who educates the neighbors' kids (I doubt my words are on their SAT tests), does isometric and other energy-type exercising by see how much tensil (sp?)l strength is in certain objects when subjected to anger, plus going back into the house for immediate gratification (in my case: comfort food). Today I was working on a 5x7 notepad holder, and made too many damn mistakes along the way (dripping Barge, cutting 3/32" too short, dirtying the leather with my own fingers, plus a few more), and have resolved to scrap the damn thing and do it over again. Unless, that is, somebody'll lend me THEIR maker stamp. Thanks everybody for the support. Nice to know I ain't the Lone Ranger. Harvey

After looking at his work in the 2006 & 2007 TCAA catalouges, anybody out there having any other sources for photos of his work, or photos they themselves have? I sure would like to see more. And close-up detailed photos. Anybody have anything? Harvey Los Angeles

Just came in from the garage/workshop, p-ssed off at myself! I was working in a hurry, dripped the gum tragacanth over the project, knocked/rolled a few things off the work bench, ticked off at myself, the economy, the state of the world, my first girlfriend (way back in the last century) and the jerk service/repairman that kept me waiting 45 minutes today. I was using profanity as it is meant to be used; a release mechanism. Didn't work. You pros out there -- Bruce, Bob Parks, Clay, Johanna and a bunch of others I'm not mentioning -- you guys ever get mad while working on a project?? Do you just take it in stride? Or (like me) does the blood pressure approach 4 figures? Aarghhh! I'm STILL aggravated !#&*! (Thanks, Guys, for letting me rant!!) Harvey

Oh, I dunno, Bob. It's a good effort and all, but . . . is that the best you could do?? Harvey (Well, you SAID you're thick skinned).

Bruce, glad to see you finally removed that half-eaten cheeseburger still in its wrapping from your work bench. As one who's been in your shop, I think you should give on-site tours, or sell 2-for1 admission tickets to the museum AND your shop. Lookin' good, my friend. Harvey

OK, I'm gonna take a stab at doing a wood grain pattern. Looks simple enough, but . . . Any caveats? Anything in particular to avoid? or do? Any thoughts on swivel knife cuts versus using a stylus?? Thanks! Harvey Los Angeles

Three different sources: 1) a glass shop. They can cut you circular pieces of glass for a small charge. I used these, in different sizes, when I am stamping a circle around letters, a design, whatever; 2) Old CDs from your computer, music, etc; 3) Fiskars makes a package of 4 templates (8 sizes) with inner/outer circles ranging from 4/5" up to 8.25". Their website is: www.fiskars.com, if there are no stores near you. Many crafts stores have a slew of circular objects in them, from the floral depts to hobbies to woodwork, etc. Harvey Los Angeles

Hi, Guys. Need some help here, and I'm not real computer savvy. I want to photocopy an image, but flip-flop it so it goes the opposite way. I am using Windows XP, and my printer is an HP 4-in-One Officejet 6210 model. There's probably an easy way to do this (without scanning preferably). Anybody out there able to walk me through it? Thank you kindly. Harvey Los Angeles

Really handsome holster rig, Harry. Please, post some more photos.

Only 36 more shopping days `til Xmas, and Chanukah starts 3 days before that. Modestly, I've been told I'm pretty good at coming up with gift ideas. If that's true, here's what I've been thinking about as gifts for leatherworker friends. Just my thoughts . . . 1) Surprise custom maker stamp from Jeff Mosby (he knocks these out usually pretty fast. I have no connection with his business other than I am one VERY satisfied customer) 2) Gift certificate to Grey Ghost Graphics (Jeff Mosby), ProSeries handmade Tools (Bob Beard), or Barry King 3) Unique/inspirational books on leather with superior photos and/or illustrations. Suggestions: F.O. Baird books, Traditional Cowboy Arts Association Catalog (past or present, available thru Nat’l Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City), King of the Western Saddle by Timothy Evans (about Don King and Sheridan style), The Art of the Western Saddle by Bill Reynolds, etc. These particular books have superior photography of designs and patterns. 4) A stock but specialized tool: beader blade, fancy box stamp or border stamp. 5) Really fancy and well-executed customized luggage tag. Just thinkin' and trying to stay ahead of things. Harvey Los Angeles