Crystal

Very cool, Bonnie! Crystal

Very nicely done, Tom! The adjustment piece was a really great idea. You do seem to do fabulous things with lace that always impresses me. Crystal

Beautiful, Kate! Thanks for showing us the boo-boo and the recovery. Great save. It's nice to know that something doesn't have to be perfect every step of the way to turn out fantastic in the end. Crystal

Sam, I didn't mean it looked like a purse! That is definitely a "man bag"! I just loved the idea. I can't possibly accept such a wonderful gift without having something to send back. If Santa Sam would be willing to share the construction pattern, that would fit very nicely into a stocking. Thank you for the more than generous offer. Crystal

Beautiful- both pieces! Cool idea for a bag... looks like it would make a great purse, too. :-) I only have one suggestion and that would be to incorporate a border for your sewing around the strap slot and concho areas instead of sewing over top of your tooling. Great job, I wouldn't mind if Santa dropped them into my stocking. Crystal

Hi Ross- Beautiful work! I am not a Sheridan carver and it took me a minute to see what you didn't like. Could your thumbprint be too large or too long? The clubby look could be coming from the thumbprint being straight and interupting the flow of the stem? Can you try using a lined pear shader and walking it instead of a thumbprint? Or tipping the thumbprint and walking it? Like I said, I'm not a Sheridan carver. I am sure you will get better advice- just wanted to add some thoughts. Crystal

Hi Travis- I found mine at my local pharmacy. I think Springfield Leather was mentioned as a supplier- but can't remember for sure. Crystal

I was at Wickett and Craig the other week and they will split their bridle leather to whatever weight you'd like. But- it will not be finished on the backside after the splitting. I didn't ask if they have additional charges for that service. Crystal

See if this helps you out! http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=18101 Crystal

Thanks, Kate! Great tutorial. Only complaint is that now there is ANOTHER thing on my "need to make" list ... Crystal

It's about time you posted something! 50 years?... it's been worth the wait. Great color combo! Love the bone font and the lacing. Crystal

Thank you, Bonnie! Much appreciated and needed tutorial. Crystal

Wonderful, Tom! I really like how you combined the wings and the lion. I don't think I'd have been able to put the 2 together. Great job all around! Congrats on the white... it's a bugger to paint. Crystal

I am going to jump in here, too, Tim. I am also looking for small spots - around 3mm. Crystal

I like the conchos on that, Bonnie! They seem appropriate for a bronc halter. Biker broncs! lol You have to be so tickled that there isn't a zipper needed on that anywhere! You need to do more carving and tooling! Crystal

Nicely, done! The fox really came out cute! I consider cell cases difficult just because they are so small and I think you did a good job with this. The only critique I would have would be that the strap covers up part of your fox, but I don't see a way to get around that. Keep up the good work - get everything vinyl converted to leather! Can't wait to see what you come up with next. Crystal

Neat job on the pocket watch case, Tim! Crystal

Beautiful job on this, Schno! I love trees and the clasps were a very cool detail. Thanks for the info on the stencil cutter. That will be something I will have to give a try someday! Crystal

Amazing as always, Clay! I can't decide which I like best, so if you want a real critique, just mail them out to me and in 20-30 years, I'll let you know what I think. I can't really tell- but maybe Kathy needs some more painting practice, I've got one or two or a dozen items that need some color. I'd be more than happy to send them to her to practice on. Great job, both of you! Crystal