Pavel

well, two set of rulers it is then. And fingers crossed that the imperial ones can gather dust. I was born in Europe and started counting everything like I could my toes. Then off to Canada .. and confusion. Just as I got the hang of it, sort of, we enlightened ourselves and went to Metric. Then I moved myself to the US and back to that system where the mistakes are easy. Well it seems that I've been well trained for leather-working.

Thanks all. I was mostly curious how when we draw out a pattern to leather ... if we use fractions or mm. Should I get a ruler in metric, or inches?

I'm not an attorney (thought the wife studied law, but torts .. so different altogether) but I do know a fair amount about copyright do's and dont's. I was the photographer for North Carolina's State Educational agency and had meetings with our lawyers on this topic. What I found interesting is that different lawyers can also understand this fun stuff in slightly different ways, when it gets dow to the fine points. What's a normal person to do? Copyright is very different from trademark and patents are different yet again. I was only ever concerned about copyright, btw. One does not have to make ANY mark or statement to have copyright. Creating the image, text or melody grants that automatically, except in the case of work for hire. If for example one was to make a line drawing of one of my photographs, and then make a work of it without significant change then you are almost in some pretty serious trouble if I want to take the trouble to create it. However the act of creating and copying my work is not a problem I can do anything about - until you profit. It is how you use it. I can not stop editorial use. It is common and polite to ask however. As soon as you sell the work, however, you are in violation, and I can look to sue and recoup damages. In respect to photographs however I will not likely get much money - unless before the violation I have also registered the photograph. Than I can go after substantial sums - punitive damages. Fair use does not apply selling someone's copyrighted works ... but to non commercial use. I've never seen copyright used in manufactured goods. That I believe is the "trademark" area, or perhaps infringement of a patent, if there is something unique and new that is patentable in a wallet. Is there ever? contrary to what many people think, one can take all the photos of anyone in a public setting where there is no reasonable right to privacy. That goes for minors. You can publish them in an editorial context without any consent forms. But the day you try to sell them to other than an editorializing venue service (such as a magazine, educational material or news outlet ) you may have a lot of trouble. And large companies have money for legal recourse, while that is tough on small one owner shops. If you are small, just having to show up in court is kind of a loss, right there, if it is bigger than small claims. That is why commercial work should always have a good release, and keep in mind that a release is a contract so it must have benefits for both parties. Some releases are contracted at the venue. For example when you buy a ticket to many places. What many photographers don't know and run into as a problem is that trademarks must not be in the photograph if it is sold. Technically if one takes a photographs at a wedding and there is Micky mouse in the shot ... one should get a release from Disney, and good luck with that, getting it for no consideration. Put Mickey mouse on your wallet, where it is recognizable as THE Mikey ... now that is taunting the fates. So yes it gets complicated and convoluted. I know what I've mentioned s is not directly related to leather-working but my basic point is that internet wisdom (my own, too) is worth mostly what you've paid for it. It helps to realize the prudence is usually the best way forward and consulting an attorney is money well spent. But so few will ever think of spending it, will they? Asking legal advice in a forum? That is almost as amusing as internet tax advice. I mean - what could possibly go wrong, right? :D

Hello, I'm brand new to this forum as well as to my interest in things leather-working related. At this stage I'm reading a bit of every topic just to get my bearings, and soon will start to look into ordering some books and perhaps a few basic hand tools. I have a quick question about the hobby or trade of leather-working; and that is to find out what is the predominant way of measuring? Do we use metric or those infernal fractions - the imperial system? Or is it a personal choice? I landed here by serendipitous chance, when I decided that I needed a new hobby, and randomly chose sewing. In exploring the world of sewing I found that there were probably aspects of it that would limit my interests to a few niche areas due to my dislike of certain details. I don't for instance like quilting nor clothing - and that seems to be about 90% of the sewing community focus. ( Fortunately I have a lot in interest in hammocking and hammock making - so likely, it's not a complete misdirection ) But one of the things that struck me as odd was that the whole sewing universe seems stuck in the imperial swamp of inefficient measurement taking. My brain says - c'mon man, don't do that to me! :D Seeing that rulers are available in both systems - how does the field of leather-working tend to operate? Any guidance and words to save me grief?

Whoa! How did you get it to look so close to what I look like in the mirror, first thing in the morning? Seriously that is a very impressive job and I imagine you have no competition at halloween - but the mind that can dream such a face up ... well ....... :D

I was born in Usti Nad Labem, in bohemia, in the Czech Republic. Fate took me to Toronto, Canada, when the Russian tanks rolled in and then it felt sorry for me having to put up with those winters so whisked me off for two years to Richards Bay, in sunny South Africa. Then back to Canada - this time for some really brutal cold weather in Yellowknife. Then Osoyoos and Kamloops in British Columbia, back to Toronto and then FINALLY I managed to twist fates arm (took eight years) and go my self down to the US of A. It's nice a sunny here in North Carolina, but I'm getting this traveling itch. Perhaps I will move to a completely different country - like Texas, next. :D So where am I from? Planet earth. And I like it!

Hello. I'm deeply sorry for what you've gone through. It is indeed the very worst news one can ever get, losing a child. My own experience with mortality and the idea that time is indeed short is related in a circuitous way to why I've just joined this forum today. I'm 56 now and since age 29 I've been fighting cancer. Well, I've not been fighting anythings but for my next beer - but the doctors have. I've simply been an unwilling spectator in the sport of "how much longer?". And my doctors have been my luck. Four separate cancers so far, and two that had been declared terminal and one autologous stem cell transplant. Here I am still, somewhat addled but pretty happy. And pretty aware of how time is short. The odd thing is, that there is always a silver lining. In my case it is that realization regarding how fragile our best plans can be, and how relationships are always what is important. It is so easy to focus on the distractions. Now that I no longer hallucinate much and am able to start to live a bit normally I've found that all my old hobbies don't seem to fit anymore. So what to do? I'm what I thought was a bit of an "unmanly" move I bought a sewing machine. I wanted something completely new, complex and something with more of an artisanal feel to it. A more human kind of thing, something traditional. But the problem for me is a lot that I like the idea of a sewing machine and learning how to make the "perfect" seam, but I have in actuality no interest in garments. I was about to send the darn thing back when in looking for needles I read a post about this forum in the Cutter and Taylor board. Ding, ding, ding. Something clicked in my head. Leatherworking? What a strange idea! But why does it seem so appealing? And why is there this great resource - leatherworker.net? So life is short and life is unpredictable. But just as there are awful down times, there are wonderful, unexpected things. I sincerely feel for you and have seen fist hand how painful tragedy is for the surviving loved ones. I hope you find something of comfort to sustain you. It comes in its own time - but it comes. And thanks for reminding us all.