Casey Jordan

Welcome aboard. You'll enjoy it!

VERY NICE! Love the way you did the pattern. Color is very nice too!

Now that's the truth! Congratulations!! Well deserved!

Just trying to save some hassle. I did leave out the best part of the story earlier. He ordered another belt....1-3/4"! It was hard not to rub it in.

Thanks for the help guys. I never personaly had this problem but it is good to know how to find out for sure.

Bob, Very nice as usual! CAUTION! CAUTION! I would think long and hard before I made another belt 2" wide. The reason is it will be hard to get through the belt loops and the customer will not be happy. And if you add lacing to the edge it will be harder, and in some cases impossible to get through. Please discuss with customer and make sure they realize this and make sure it will fit before you go through all the work. True story: I tried to talk a customer out of doing a 2" belt, he insisted so I made it. He fought it every time he changed pants and wished he had listened. I learned the hard way on that deal.

The first thing I thought of was sweat, but not on spur straps. I don't know what finish is on his items. He did mention they were "old" leather items. I'm assuming the finish is long gone. Your answer makes since, I have noticed it on some items. I guess the "white mold" description made me try to think of that as the source. Should he just oil it or soap and then oil? Thanks, Keith

This is a question that was emailed to me and I don't know the answer. Thought someone here might know more about it than I do. "even with our very dry climate I seem to fight white mold on my old bridles and spur leathers. Is there a product to stop this?" Thanks for your help.

Now that is AWESOME!!

Nice Job! I have one to make about that size - Can you come over and do the hand sewing for me?? Just thought I would ask.

Nice tooling and coloring - Nice peice overall! Casey

Top notch, as usual! I love the swirl below the name. Nice job Casey

Your making it too complicated. Just cut the line from border to border then use the stamp of choice at the intersections. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the comment! If you keep after it you can get as good as you want to. I think it would be safe to say that I have been doing this longer than you, but I think I'm starting to catch on a little. I'm self taught on the tooling part too. If you could get someone to help you out getting started it sure would cut down the learning curve. I do western collectable & antique shows, those are where I get most of my business. Good luck and keep practicing!! Casey

Lindsay, I wish my first project looked that good. It's obvious you are learning from someone or paying attention to what your seeing. You have nice deep impressions and a pretty straight pattern. Now for the critique you want, the only thing I see is in the last picture. Have a well defined border and lean your tool away from the border when you get close to the edge so there are no tool marks past the border. Other than that just practice, practice, practice................well you get the picture. Casey

I sometimes tape the leather to my bench and use beanbags to hold down the (oversized) tracing paper. Or tape the velum to the bench too. Hope this helps.

Yeah, just a shameless bump. The contest is just a month away, so just a reminder for all the procrastinaters out there.

Silver King in Chatsworth, Ca. would be my choice.

Very nice tooling and coloring!!

Mark me down for a bic too.

Tina, Thanks for explaining it in such a simple way that even I can understand it. I just had one of those " Well Duh" moments looking at the picture Thanks!

We still have some spots open in all categories. It's coming up quick! Must not be any boot makers on this website! Have not heard from one on here.

Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone! The first post was past my bedtime, so I didn't see them 'till last night before leaving for work. I didn't have time to post then, but Thank You! I share the same birthday with my horse, so does that mean we are both 24???

Jed, I think I understand what you are saying. If we do have a tooled category we will try to make it as simple and easy to understand as possible. We tried to keep the rules to a minimum to make it easy for everyone. We tried to make it "Maker friendly". After all that is who the contest is for. Like I tell the new makers - win, lose or draw you sure get a lot of exposure from being in the contest. Thanks again for your input!

Jed, Thanks for your input. So basicly what you are saying is a square inch or square foot minimum or maximum. Not bad. You could say for example, it has to be up to two square foot tooled. And let them pick what they want to make. Could have some interesting entries! Good suggestion!