elktracks

The skull is embossed and elevated out of the oval. It is a little hard to explain. I've been asked to do something like this in a class and will probably be offering something soon. It will be a Texas focused theme but will have all of the same elements. It will probably be more of a course with several focused classes.

Here is a project that I recently finished. Some of you may have followed its construction on Facebook. I wanted to post the finished piece here for others to see. I was asked by some friends to share what happened with this leather carving. This carving has found a home in Montana. It raised $4250.00 for the Great Falls Symphony Association at their Black Tie and Blue Jeans event on March 8th. The money that was raised goes toward their Education and Outreach Programs. This piece of art generated more activity and funds than any of the other items offered that evening. You can find out a bit more about what went into piece and why it is titled "Heart of Montana" by visiting http://elktracks.net/shop/print You can also get information on the prints that are now available.

Karl, Very nice job!! Jim L.

Vikti, You are probably going to get as many different answers to your question as there are responses. You will surely not get a consensus because everyone has their favorite. For me that would be a 1/4" or 3/8" straight blade and I can give you all kinds of reasons why, but that still only makes it the best blade for me. I have seen Bill Gomer take his favorite blade, which is a 1/4" angle ceramic, and do some of the most awesome work anyone could hope to do. I once watched an old saddlemaker use a 1/2" home made knife and do incredibly fine, detailed work with it. Bob Brown, who did work for such Hollywood stars as Roy Rogers and John Wayne, used a sharpened screwdriver to carve with and could make a very compelling argument as to why that was best. The real secret to doing better decorative cuts is not in the swivel knife blade, but in the hand holding it. The reason those mentioned above were and are so accomplished is because of the many hours they have spent perfecting their skill. Choose the knife and blade that you like the best and then put some miles on it. If someone had kept track of how many miles of swivel knife cuts some of these people had put in leather, you would know why their decorative cuts are so beautiful. In other words, practice, practice, practice... Jim L.

Tom, Congratulations on the interview with Alf. He is a very interesting fellow with a heart for telling others about the craft. I was interviewed by him a few years ago while visiting Norway. He spent a day with us during the workshop I was teaching. Jim Linnell

Hello Ray, I attend most of the leather shows as both an instructor and a vendor. I think it would be great to organze a leather show in England. I will be at the Tandy Leather Factory store in Northampton on May 1-3. If you have time to stop by, I would be glad to visit with you about what makes a good show from the perspective of a vendor, instructor, and an avid leather worker. Jim Linnell

Tandy is NOT getting rid of the free patterns online. As was noted on this board, Tandy Leather Factory recently did a major overhaul of their web site. The comments we have gotten from making our web site more user friendly have been overwhelmingly positive. In the course of making that transition, the free patterns did not migrate over. This is being addressed and all of those patterns will eventually be available on the web site again for free. Please have patience and please don't jump to conclusions. Jim Linnell

Ok Kathy, I get the hint I'll see what I can come up with. As far as more demos and workshops, be sure and watch the calendar. I'll try to do a better job this year of keeping it up to date with my travels. A flyer was created today about some workshops I'm involved with in Arizona. If anyone is in the area, I'd love to see you whether you're in the workshops or not. Jim L.

Tom, Those are some very nicely done feathers. Great job! Jim

The elk population in New Mexico decreased by one while I was there. It's in my freezer now. Jim

Thank you to all for the birthday wishes. I would have responded sooner, but I've been chasing elk around the high country of New Mexico and just got home. There are few things that can compete with my passion for leatherworking except for elk hunting each fall. Jim

Tom, Great job on the feather! When I have done black feathers, I have used a product I get at an art supply store called interference blue. It is a powder that when mixed with an acrylic finish like Satin Shene and painted over your black feather, gives it that hint of blue, just like a real raven's feather does when caught in the right light. If you have access to such a thing, give it a try. I'll bet you'll like what it does. Jim L.

On Wednesday, November, 5th, my travels found me at the Tandy Leather Factory store in Cincinnati. Wednesday happens to be the regular scheduled open workshop at this store and the manager, Michael Boursaw, had given a number of his regulars the news that I would be there. Once we got underway, I wasn't able to look up very much, but Michael said there had been over 50 people show up that evening. You've heard it said that time flies when you're having fun. When you get a bunch of avid leather workers together, time just disappears. It got late before I wanted so I called it a day at 10:30 that night and there were still people there when I left. It was an evening very well spent. Johanna was there with her camera taking photos and writing notes as I worked. She did a great job putting together a tutorial on how I did an eagle feather. I hope it's useful to any that want to give this project a try. https://leatherworker.net/Linnell/index.htm Jim Linnell

Clay, Here's one done a while back that will be the project everyone does ine the August workshop scheduled in Ft. Worth. Jim

Hello all in the Calgary area, Andy Wesson, the manager of the Tandy Leather Factory store in Calgary, assues me that they have an active class/workshop program in place at his store. Give him a call at (403) 253-1768 or toll free at (866) 669-1768, to find out what is currently scheduled. Jim Linnell

One of the things I see over and over in the many workshops I'm a part of is that it is the hand running the knife, not the knife that determines the quality of the work. Those of you going to Sheridan should look at what Al Stohlman used. Those of us who aspire to that level of work probably can't blame our tools. I wonder how many miles of swivel knife cuts he had on his odomoter? Jim

Hidemechanaic, I notice that you are located in Central Oregon. Are you planning on attending the Western Region 4-H Leaders Forum in Boise, ID March 6-8? If so, I will be teaching 2 different workshops at this conference on how to introduce leatherworking to 4-H youth. If you can't make it, send me a personal message and I'll help you however I can. Jim L.

Kathy, Yes, this is one that came out of my head. I have a couple of other beginners patterns that were created for that class. If I can find them, I will post them. Jim

Here is a similar pattern that was created for the kid's workshop at Sheridan a number of years ago. Had to hunt around to find it. It was created to introduce beginners to the basics of leather carving. Jim L.

I can still remember studying every detail of Al Stohlman's carvings in Tech Tips, Belts Galore and his many other books when I was first learning to carve leather. I dreamed of being able to do leatherwork that looked nice. I only had a basic 7 set of tools then, but that didn't stop me from dreaming. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get my work to even come close to measuring up. But doing leatherwork to that degree was still my goal. I got to the point where I could do work that others thought looked good and I eventually convinced myself that the photography had to make Al's work look better in the books than it actually was. I was comfortable with my work until the day I got to actually see some of Al Stohlman's work. I got to hold it and examine it...............and I was humbled. That was a turning point for me and my leatherwork. In that moment, I realized how far I was from ever having my work compare to Al Stohlman's and yet at the same time I realized that it really can be done. I was holding the evidence in my hands. This realization inspired me strive all the harder to continue to refine my knowledge and skill. I applied myself to leather carving with a deep determination that one day I would do that kind of work and people would compare their work to mine. It is my hope to inspire those who study my work to say to themselves, "I can do that". Please study my work and be convinced that it can be done and that yours will look that good or better one day. The skill and talent to carve leather the way I do, was not discovered until I was inspired to develop them. I pray you will have as much joy developing your gifts as I have mine. Jim Linnell