russinchico

If I by a Tandy cell phone case, tool it with one of their template designs and sell it, is that ok? If I use that same cell phone case "as" a template, use my own leather that I buy from Tandy can I tool it and sell it with my own carving on it? I guess the question is where is the line drawn. I could cut a peice of leather for a cell phone case of my own design, but there may be someone out there that has already created one and Patented that design. Or I may have drawn something, carved it, and later someone sees what I have created, and sue me. So, basically, I just unknowingly infringed on someones art?. Like I said before, I have seen many things out there selling that are VERY similar that could have been "stolen" or just a coincidence. I am fairly artistic, and have done some cool drawings that I could use for leather. With just starting out I have friends that want to buy some of the stuff I've made for practice peices and I want to be clear on what I can and can't do. Perhaps I should start reading up on the "legalities" of this stuff. One of the wallets I did for my son was a "Jackass insignia, I didn't sell it, but thats what my kid wanted on his wallet. That would be concidered wrong, even tho it wasn't sold? This is only a hobby for me, but if I can sell some of the stuff I do for practice I'd like to, unless it turns into a pain in the a**.

I know there are laws against it, but I have seen alot of stuff out there that I know is copy righted....and /or a trademark. I'm sure I could spend days reading stuff on the internet and get totally confused, I was more interrested in what was "acccepted" with the "leather Pros".

Heres a couple wallets I made for My kids. They picked out what they wanted on them, and I carved em. One is just stitched, the other is mexican round . I'm still tryin to get the corners to come together, but all in all, I'm pleased with them. The celtic one is my daughters name in Celtic letters I found on the Internet, and a design she liked. the other is My boys.....

very cool spider, lots of detail, good work!

Here are some little projects I've done the last months.

I got the basic leather craft kit from Tandy in February of this year.

yeah me too, the fishing scene is outta Mr Stohlman's "how to carve leather", and the eagle is a drawing I found on the net, put em together and presto.....sumthin cool.

Beleive it or not, thats just the round end of the point/stylus modeling tool for the signature.

My wifes great uncle passed away a few months ago so her and I went to So Cal to help clean the place up. It was like walking into a "living museum". I never had the chance to meet the man but it was obvious he was very intelligent man. The partially completed projects (as well as completed and stored) were fantastic. In a barrel, in the back of his garage, covered by more projects, was a barrel. In the barrel were several (5 or 6) partially assembled, or dis-assembled english saddles. The leather was VERY warn, and no good. I know NOTING of saddlery so my question is, is there someone that would want the "frames" of old english saddles, or do I just send em to the dump? I'd hate to toss em if they are of use to someone. Any info would be great.

Here are a few projects I've finished over the last couple of months

O.K. with the help of my kid I got these pics smaller....enjoy

Hey folks, I just found this forum and its exactly what I've been looking for. So much tallent in ONE forum. Too COOL. Anyways, I've been working leather for a few months now and I'm just starting to get the hang of it. The interrest started with making knives and not finding a suitable sheath for protection. I found a Tandy Leather store in San Mateo, Ca. and that was all it took. Andy Stasiak the manager there hooked me up with the "basics" and offered a class. Just a walk in, sit in class/workshop, but the guy really helped me get started. I'd post a few pics but it seems I need to make the files smaller.