CitizenKate

Are you saying that some of the chrome finish came off? I have some chrome-finished stamps I've removed the finish from with a torch and a wire brush, and it doesn't leave any marks in the leather (other than the impression the stamp makes). Kate

Very classy! Can't wait to see more of your work. Kate

That looks really nice! Kate

I would love to live someplace where I can get everything I need locally, like leather, craft supplies, and even shipping boxes. Shipping boxes...? Most of my game boards are considered "oversized" by the shipping services. And the boxes I need to ship them in make a pretty big package, too, when I order them. Once they get to a certain size, then they have to be shipped to me by motor freight, and that adds about $13 to the cost of each box I buy. Kinda ridiculous, but that's how it goes. <_< Kate

Does anyone know if the new catalog has come out yet? Kate

That's an amazing piece, Kathy! The harness overlays really make the whole thing pop (dimension... texture... they look real). But I also notice some very nice detail touches, such as the veins in the ears, eyes, hair texture, and the tender tissue around the nostrils. I also think for a mule, he just looks like a sweetie. Thanks for sharing that. Kate

I believe his home is in Leavenworth, near Kansas City. Kate

And how did you know this, hmmmm? Kate

I use pair of dividers to mark my bead lines. Kate

Thanks for sharing this, Tom. Great info! Kate

I'm also very fascinated by the cold-cast method of creating metal embellishments and other parts, as I have been wanting to design and create (and maybe sell) some of my own. But I'm really not interested in investing the money or time in a foundry operation. I did a quick search on the web, and here are some sites that have good information about cold-casting various metals: http://www.sculpt.com/technotes/COLDCAST.htm http://www.thesculptedhorse.com/howbronze.html http://www.bmsports.com/pdfs/Molding2000.pdf I've also recently come across something called "precious metal clay", which is another product that artists can use to create original metal embellishments and parts without investing in a foundry, although it does require the use of some heat. It's made from gold or silver powder that's been mixed in with a clay-like medium. You form it like clay, then use a torch or a small kiln to cure it. http://www.metalclay.com/ http://www.pmcguild.com/gallery/revolution...tion/index.html http://www.pmcguild.com/gallery/gold/gold.html http://www.pmcguild.com/gallery/embellishm.../embellish.html Kate

Heather, that does not look like busy work to me. It looks to me like something special. Kate

Absolutely you should get compensated for everything you do to deliver that product. But I think most businesses allow for that in the pricing of the merchandise and take it out of the gross margin, rather than charging it directly to customers as shipping fees. Kate

Do you happen to have any examples you could post photos of? Kate

Art, Perhaps I used a poor choice of wording when I said that. In some places, sniping is considered acceptable, and in others it's not. If you use sniping tactics in places where it's considered acceptable, I have nothing against you. But it does affect my choice of whether or not I would sell there. Kate

Come right in, John, and feel free to keep posting that gorgeous work! Kate

Hi Warren, You just brought up my second big reason for not selling on ebay any more. A flea market is not the place to sell handmade work. Kate

Hi Art, You're right, sniping is not considered cheating by ebay's rules, and I have nothing against the players who take advantage of those rules. If they want to run their sandbox that way, it's their right. But, that's one reason why I don't play in their sandbox any more. If you want to use the analogy of live auctions (which I do attend on occasion), my observation is that there is no sniping there because the auction is usually held open for a certain amount of time after the last bid is placed. So nobody can place a bid without giving the other players ample time to reconsider their bids and place another one before the close of the auction. It's called "going... going... gone". Kate

I have done some selling on ebay in the past, but I've found better online venues for my business. I don't care for their particular auction format, as I have long felt that it encourages too much sniping. I've read all the debates pro and con, but I still feel it is a form of cheating and avoiding having to make a fair bid. It's a good idea for anyone who sells their work online to pursue multiple venues. Avoid making your business excessively dependent on any one particular venue, because any of them can decide (as ebay seems to be doing) that they don't want or need the particular kind of business you are offering. They do have the right to make those kinds of choices. Fortunately, as you have pointed out, for any that decide they don't want your business, there are others who do. That being said, I just took a look at their shipping policy, and don't see anything that prohibits sellers from charging a fair shipping fee that covers all the real costs, so I'm not sure what you're referring to. Kate

Double-splits also make great embossing plugs, which I have in great abundance as a by-product of my bench splitter. I also get the splits from the sides I order from W&C (which they will send you free if you ask for them), in anticipation of one day doing more embossing. However, I have more than I could possibly use in decades, so if anyone would like some, PM me and I'll gladly send a few square feet of it. Kate

An ornament fit for Theoden. Very cool. Kate (...and that is an extremely handsome horse, as well.)

Ha! Cute! Kate

I got it from my local Hobby Lobby in the model train section. Kate

Yeah, I'd like to see that, too. Kate

You may want to try a stainless steel blade angle with your swivel knife. The stainless blades are thinner than the carbon steel blades, and make it much easier to carve with more accuracy. Kate