Paula C

I've ordered from Fire Mountain Gems for years, they have a fantastic catalog with all sorts of initials and letters on beads you could use. I think they're one of the bigger bead suppliers on the net. Order a catalog, it's like christmas all the stuff they have that you could put on your leather projects to add some detail. Here is the link to the pages with all the alphabets. http://www.firemountaingems.com/alphabet_beads.asp They range from 14K (cha ching) to silver, pewter, etc. Good luck. -paula

Hey Mike, I peeked in your Saddle design layout class, looked like an excellent class, very advanced. I know Kevin and Steve and the Hides to Art folks really worked hard on the event, it really was well run. Looking forward to next year too. Do you know are there other classes or workshops in the Southeast that may be coming up during the year? Would love to learn more, everyone was so helpful. -paula Hey Art, Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah I've been using the slicker, what a great design. Hey when I stepped into your workshop I picked up a sample of the Wickett & Craig leather samples. Have you ever ordered from them? Was thinking of placing an order for some of their tooling (which comes in other colors) for a few projects and was wondering if you had used it. Thanks again, -paula

Now that's a real compliment, and it was all me Trust me side by side, you'd know. He's amazing! He showed us how to use RTC Sheridan resist, (we only got to dry it for an hour which is rushing it for sure, he said usually he'd prefer we wait overnight, then I used the Sheridan Brown Antique Finish as fast as my hands could rub it in and rub it off and finished with Tan Kote, but he did say he likes the Bee Natural Leather finish, and I thought I'd try that for the next project. Have you used the Bee Natural? Does it have a lasting finish? I'm running out of the samples the vendors provided during the class, and getting ready to place an order for some procarv and thinking about trying it. -paula

And what a great sense of humor...whenever I'd do something stupid, he'd say there's no such thing as a stupid mistake, only happy learning opportunities. Which as many mistakes as I made, was a good thing! -paula

I'm new to leatherworking, started in early March with my first Tandy class and I took my first workshop this past week with Chan Greer in Asheville. Hides to Art put on a fantastic spread, they even had vendors there. Since I didn't have any tools I was able to buy some basic supplies to get me started. There were Three different 3 day workshops. I was amazed with all we learned. He took us step by step through the process to create a Sheridan Style tooled pencil holder. We even learned how to do lacework. When I got back home thought my brain was going to explode from all we covered. I made a second one while it was still fresh, then created a cover for my new roundknife that I won at the workshop raffle! I'm learning the basket stitch so I also made a cover for my new glass slicker (is that what it's called?) I'm posting my pencil holder I made, the Head knife holder I made from one Chan showed us, and the Slicker cover (since it's glass and I've already dropped it 3 times). Appreciate your critiques, hoping to keep learning and improving. So any suggestions, tips, or improvements you see appreciated! -Paula

Hello, I just started leatherworking this past month. Taking my first leather tooling workshop which started this past Saturday at Tandy in Raleigh, NC. I live in Durham, NC and have been doing pottery for many years. Have really loved working with leather so far, carving is a whole new world. Like any new hobby, I'm amazed at all their is to learn, from the tools to the techniques, and even all the infinite decisions of which leathers, stains and finishes. Have made my first couple of trips to Zack Whites and it's amazing! I could spend days in that store...of course my checkbook and my day job don't permit that. Heres my first couple of tries...no laughing now! -Paula C Too many hobbies, not enough time.