CitizenKate

I know... big deal, more coasters. I just haven't had a lot of time in the shop lately, but I haven't posted much in a while, either, so I'll go ahead and offer this up with a lick and a promise of bigger and better things in the near future. I promised to send something to my friends in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps (who I was a member of a long, LONG time ago when they were consistently placing in the top 12 at DCI, for any of you who might know what that means), for their next fund-raising auction. Kate

That is AWESOME, David! Kate

That's nice... looks like something that can only get better with age and wear. Kate

Hmmm... I think Art's right. I counted exactly 42 stamps in the 3rd photo, and the second photo has several (if not all) tools, including the swivel knife, that do not appear in the 3rd image. Kate

I've been getting my dies from Texas Custom Dies, and could not recommend them more highly. Quality, reasonable prices, fast delivery, friendly service. Kate

Those look really comfy. The bead work and fur trim are nice touches. Thanks for posting photos of them! Kate

Good idea, I'll have to try that. Kate

Nice... is the extra piece for the closure for looks, or does it improve the function in some way? Thanks for posting. Kate

Beautiful work, as always, David. I think you can leave off the extra row of lacing for this one. I agree with those who feel the carving is sufficient in itself. As for the color of lace... any idea what the bike looks like? Kate

I've had the same problem, trying to stitch a border on a 22"x22" roll-up game board. No way will that fit in any commercially-made stitching horse. I used a totally different approach and came up with an extra-wide bench-mount clamp that works pretty well for me, but what you came up with is a pretty clever adaptation of the basic stitching horse design. Thanks for posting that, I love seeing ideas like this. Gives me hope that there really is something new under the sun every once in awhile. Kate

Bonjour Patrice, bon de vous revoir! Glad to know all is well with you and, also glad to see you are still doing leatherwork. I used to dabble in role-playing back in the 90's, and your items would have been the envy of the entire group I used to play with. Look forward to seeing more... Kate

Like geometric stamps, the better-made basket stamps make a cleaner, crisper impression in the leather, but not necessarily deeper. The reason is that the better stamps are made with harder steel that is not chrome-plated. The chrome plating on the cheaper stamps makes the stamp face kinda muddy, as is the impression you get. Kate

Hi Annette, I see you're in Salina, which is my home town. The Sante Fe Leather Guild meets in Topeka once a month, but I don't know if anyone there knows anything about making rawhide; I'm pretty sure there's someone who can help you get started with braiding, though. I'm in Manhattan, and have done a little braiding, but don't know anything about rawhide. There are other leatherworkers farther east, around Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City, and I'm sure there are probably several in Wichita, since there is a Tandy store there. Kate

I thought my ears were burning... I usually feel a little uncomfortable tooting my own horn in the forum, but since this is highly relevant to the topic, and because I know there are numerous others out there who are considering this same sort of thing, I will mention this. We do have a digital delivery "solution", that we've deployed on a couple of web sites so far, and more coming up, including my own (I'm planning to offer some original pattern collections for sale, hopefully starting later this year). It completely automates the purchasing and fulfillment of digital publications. Once it's set up, you don't have to lift a finger to process a payment or deliver the product. The program handles all that automatically, so that all you would have to do is promote the publication (which is actually the tough part), and periodically check your bank account to see how many payments have been deposited there (which is the fun part). As to the question of printed vs. digital, I agree that publications are "going more digital", but you will have at least some customers who will prefer the print version. There are still people out there, mostly living in rural areas, who simply don't have the internet bandwidth or a reliable enough connection to be able to download an entire publication. Fortunately, there's no reason you have to choose one or the other. You can sell mostly digital copies, and still offer the print version for those who prefer it. In fact, this is what Paul Burnett does on his site, from where he sells numerous of his publications. If the download version is cheaper (which it should be since it's way cheaper to produce and deliver), that will probably give the majority of your customers a greater incentive to buy the download version, not to mention the advantage of being able to have it now, instead of a week later. But you can also keep a few copies of the printed version on hand for those who are willing to pay the higher cost of producing and delivering it. For them, the site processes the payment, then sends you an email with all the information you need to fulfill the order. It's a happy medium that involves minimal printing and shipping costs, minimal labor, but still can accommodate everyone. This would probably be a good solution for most publications. I'm going to want a copy of your book, too, by the way. Kate

Wow, I don't know how I missed this earlier, but I'm glad I finally stumbled upon it. Very sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, Kevin. What a fine tribute. I've always admired your work, but this time you really have outdone yourself this time, it's beautiful. Kate

The mass-produced bevelers have sharp edges on the sides that tend to create those track marks you've probably seen, if you don't strike them just right. The better bevelers have nice rounded edges on the sides so they don't bite into the leather and create those sharp track marks quite so easily. This photo shows a closeup of two bevelers, one of the mass-produced ones, and another that is only slightly better, and you can see a pretty big difference. Kate

I know what you're referring to, and I hope you will allow me, as one of the site moderators, to indulge in speaking my mind on this topic. I think it's very unfortunate when someone posts a response like that. If they don't care to share what they know, fine. That is the choice of everyone who visits here. But in that case, they might as well have just kept their virtual mouth shut and let someone who wants to be helpful respond next, instead of figuratively telling the OP (original poster) to get lost. This is a very good example of the very opposite of the spirit and attitude upon which Leatherworker.net was built. This site is about learning and sharing what knowledge and ideas we are willing to share. If everyone got an answer like that, we would have no reason to exist as an online community. Now, on the other side of the coin... when someone asks a question, they should not assume they are entitled to an answer, and go off in a huff because they didn't get something they thought they were entitled to. The majority of the time, people here share quite generously, but we don't expect everyone who knows something to share anything and everything they know. Everyone has different ideas about creativity vs competition and how to ensure their place in the marketplace, and though we may not always agree, they are entitled to their own views and practices. On some occasions when I myself could not get an answer I was looking for, I took that as my cue to proceed to R&D mode. (That's research and development, not to be mistaken for R&B, which is rhythm and blues. On second thought, come to think of it... but wait - I digress!!) That's when I start with the trial-and-error method of getting my answer. You cannot expect to get very far in your art without investing some sweat equity into it. Wasting some leather on prototypes, trying half-cooked ideas and failing a few times, then trying it again a different way, buying and reading books on numerous topics (not just leatherwork - there is knowledge to be gained about things you can do with leather from other forms of art and craft). Am I willing to share what I learn that way? Absolutely, and in return, others have shared similar information that have helped me develop my art, and at the end of the day, we're all in a better place. That whole "competition" paradigm has just never worked for me; it's more about diverting energy away from the creation of new ideas, new processes, and new designs, and more on preventing others from reaching your own level, which then cuts you off from collaboration with others that may have in turn helped you. Maybe there will be one person who is at the top of the proverbial heap, but it ain't much of a heap, nowhutImean? Might as well call it a race to the bottom. Focusing more on the creation of new work is my idea of a race to the top. And sure, someone else may beat me to the top of the heap - many already have in fact - it becomes a moot point because it's a lot bigger heap, and we're all better off than we would be, even compared to being at the top of that "other" heap I was talking about. Patterns and designs are a different matter, of course, but I think others have addressed that topic adequately. I've prattled on long enough... someone else's turn now. Kate

This is probably one of those choices that is different for everyone who answers, but I can at least speak for myself. There are some of my stamps that I got the "urge" very early on to spend money replacing with better ones, and some I think I could probably be satisfied using indefinitely (unless of course I happen to one day find myself in a lot of money and can afford to replace everything I have). The ones I have a high priority on replacing with better/best (in order of priority): - Bevelers!!! - Border - Geometric - Camouflage - Checkered or ribbed shaders One thing to note about the geometric and border stamps is, some tool makers make designs that you can't get from anyone else, so the choice of investing in a better stamp may come down to how badly you want a particular design. The ones I have a lower priority on replacing - smooth shaders - veiners - seeders - backgrounders Again, just speaking for myself, here... not expecting anyone to take this as advice everyone should follow. That said, let the debate begin. Kate

I like the carving on it. I wonder if a little more moisture would help the leather form around the padding a little easier? Kate

I'm a fan. Beautiful! Kate

Thanks for the post, Alex. Of course, all donations are gratefully accepted, but I have possibly even a better suggestion. Help us and help yourself at the same time by getting a Premium Directory listing. Site visitors are shopping the Directory every day, looking for handcrafted leatherwork, and a Premium listing will help you get seen first. If you want to know more about this, or need help getting it set up, just PM Johanna or me. In any case, thank you all for all the contributions you have made over the years - whether you have generously shared your knowledge, inspired us, or yes, even sent us a buck or two to help with the expenses. All of these things are what help us become better and bring you new ways to learn about leatherwork. Kate

Welcome to Leatherworker, Cat, and thanks for posting photos of your work. Nice applique work! Look forward to seeing more. Kate

I think they look really sharp, Allen! I really like the one with the pull-up leather trim. Kate

Overall, I think it's a pretty interesting design. The only thing I notice that "bugs" me, design-wise, is the distance around the text. I would try to re-size and/or reposition the text so there is a comfortable and equal amount of open space all around it. I also might change the angle of the hammer slightly so the hammer face is more square with the surface of the anvil. To spice it up, consider adding a stamped border around the edges. Don't know if this is what you were really asking for... if it helps, great. If not, I'm sure someone else will pipe up, eventually. Look forward to seeing how the final project turns out. Kate

Just about any topic is allowed in the "All About Us and Off-Topic" forum. As long as you all play nice. For those of you who don't care to read off-topic posts, it's easy to avoid - just take note as you're scanning the Active Content list where the post was made. There are some topics we discourage because there are too many people who can't discuss them without getting upset and ugly, but other than that there aren't many limits in this section of the board. Kate