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Crystal

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Posts posted by Crystal

  6. Posted · Report reply

    Announcing the Paul Burnett Free School of Leather Ornamentation

    The purpose of this school is to establish you with a solid foundation for building your skills with the tools for decorating leather. If you are just starting out learning the craft of decorating leather you will be most rewarded, for you will not have to unlearn the many misconceptions, or break the bad habit they have caused. If you have been doing leather work for awhile and you are struggling with achieving the results you desire, then you too will discover why and how to improve those skills and end the struggle. I want to be one of your guiding hands to help you achieve the satisfaction of completing a well executed piece of leather work, regardless on your method of ornamentation, be it carving (regardless of the style or subject), stamping geometric designs or the use of color to enhance your work. That is why I use the term “decorating” rather than “leather carving” because I plan to teach you more than just leather carving… but a full array of methods and technique for decorating leather…..or to put it another way: turn a piece of leather into a ornamental work of art, be it a key fob or a saddle.

    I would like to thank Leatherworker.net for the opportunity to do this. I have for years been looking for the proper forum to teach these fundamentals and concepts of leather decorating. I believe this to be the best forum due to the wide range of interests and skill levels that visit this site. It is my hope that each and every one of you will be able to learn something from these lessons. I feel privileged to be given such a wonderful “class room” of people interested in being the best they can be. I promise to faithfully execute my duties and try my very best to keep you interested and always learning this wonderful craft of ours.

    I have been teaching leather carving, stamping and pictorial coloring for the past 35 years as well as enjoying producing and developing my own skills. During those years, I have learned much and I am eager to share those things with you. As hundreds have sat before me in classes and seminars throughout the USA, I have observed that misconceptions about the processes and tools involved are at the root of most peoples problems. I would like to address some of those misconceptions and replace them with simple, easy to remember, axioms. First, let me define the term axiom. The dictionary defines axiom as: “a recognized truth” or “an established and universal accepted principle”. I think of the term “axiom” in a little broader (or maybe a narrower) sense. I am not saying that you must follow “my” rules in order to function as a skilled crafts person. What I want you to realize is (and this is my first axiom)…..the art of decorating leather is a thinking process. So, what I am going to be about is teaching you those things you need to think about or consider during the process of carving, tooling or coloring leather. The knowledge of the fundamentals of leather decorating will help you to build a solid foundation on which to build your skills. For those who have already been doing leather decorating, you may also find solutions for problems you might be having that are keeping you from achieving the desired results for you efforts.

    The Paul Burnett Free School of Leather Ornamentation will cover three major subjects. Each subject will be handled separately. I will start with the following courses: 1. “Leather Carving 101.” 2. “Creative Stamping 101.” 3. “Painting 101.” I will give it my all to provide a lesson for each course bi-monthly. Writing these lessons is a time consuming adventure. What will make it possible for me to devote the time to do this is your support by your interest, as well as, expanding your knowledge by purchasing the full fledged courses, patterns and project publications offered at http://www.paintingcow.com. I have made my publications as affordable as I possibly can. I hope you will visit my site and take advantage to delve deeper into the study of leather ornamentation. As an introduction to this school, you should go to http://www.paintingcow.com and sign up for the free tutorials already available from my site. This will give you an idea of my teaching style and the kinds of things you will learn from the Paul Burnett Free School of Leather Ornamentation. It will also give you something to study until the first three lessons are posted to this site, approximate target date of Nov 1, 2009.

    Please let me know what you think of this concept. Your input on this idea is greatly appreciated.

    Paul Burnett

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Those that use the Perma Lok ones, do you have trouble with the small ones getting plugged up? Like if you end up breaking the lace in them or pulling it out and leaving a bit behind. If you do do you have anything better than trying to pick the stuff out with a small sewing needle?

    I think I heard someone say to burn out whatever is stuck. Never tried it though.

    Crystal

  15. Posted · Report reply

    I have always thought that a sit down stitching horse with interchangeable parts would be a good project, drawers under the seat for tools, a stitching jaw, stamping stone pedestal and whatever other attachments you could think of to mount on top, add a padded seat and some wheels and you could tool all around town in style.

    You gotta stick a motor on it: http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/p-RV0276.html Just some inspiration.

    Crystal

  19. Posted · Report reply

    Hi Aulus-

    If you are going to glue your piece onto art board - do that before you case (wet) it for stamping or carving. Put the rubber cement onto the art board (I've used 2 coats) and let it dry until tacky - then put your piece onto that. I have used a rubber roller to go over the leather piece to make sure it is stuck down. When you are finished with all of your carving or stamping, the leather piece should peel away from the art board with little trouble. If you put the rubber cement directly onto the back of your leather piece - it will stay there.

    I took a class with Jeff Mosby and he had us attach our piece to art board with contact cement. Put the contact cement on the art board, let it dry until it is just tacky - then whack it with a flat headed hammer, like a cobblers hammer over the entire piece. After casing it - any hammer marks came right out. It peeled off nicely. Be sure to apply the adhesive to the shiny side of the art board in both instances.

    Hope this helps!

    Crystal

  24. Posted · Report reply

    I think it turned out great, Casey! After seeing your finished project, I want to throw out all those backgrounders I have. I really like how the tiles came out on the back, also. :thumbsup:

    Everything looked spelled right to me! You don't need to spell check, you need the quote that hung in a customer service office I worked at eons ago.

    "I know you think you understand what you thought I said,

    but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant!"

    Great job!

    Crystal

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