SunshineNative

Until recently I stored my rolled sides and shoulders, grain side in, standing in a corner. I found wrinkles in the sides as I opened them, and also found discolouration on some pieces. Its hotter than hades down here most of the year, and I only use a window a/c when I am in the garage working so my leather is getting horribly hot, and then the air gets damp during our fall/winter. It may even get really cold on one of our 3 or 4 winter days. What is actually ideal? Should I take over my husbands closet for storage? (surely he won't mind!) Do I concoct a rack system? Vertical or horizontal? Is it safe to buy leather sight unseen or am I the only one who wants to see and touch what I buy?? I do not want to waste my leather!!Thanks for your time and knowledge.

Again, I am never disappointed in the workmanship shown by everyone here. What a generous group. I would love to know how you began case making etc. I have Al Stohlman's 3 books and have almost completed my first tool case, for that 2x4 that I drilled for the crafttools. I have made several knife sheaths and 3 holsters. Can you tell me what sorta little nails or tacks you use when molding? I either use ones that are too big, or they have something on them that makes my leather turn black at the holes. Any suggestions? Thank you again. BEAUTIFUL cue cases! Gorgeous tooling! Di

Just a quick note to add my accolades as well. My initial reaction is HOLY TOLEDO! That is awesome! MY oh my! oh wait, my second and third reactions are the same!!! Good work!!

Heh Heh. That is true! Sometimes you have to get REALLY creative! My wolf boys from last year get fed up with being nice and will just take a chunk out of the door, and walk out of their crates. Luckily for me, they only want to come into whatever room their favourite family member is sleeping in. Well, lucky if you don't mind waking up with a furry partner. Besides, I have learned how to weld out of necessity to repair the crates. Something new to be learned around every corner. :-)

So sorry you feel like you were the new guy and got slammed. I for one have my own opinion and think the very idea of muzzling a dog for chewing to be ridiculous. When your mother potty trained you, did she tape a baggy over the offending part? If you would try to get your roommate and his pooch to a training class, then maybe you would all live a better life. There is absolutely no way that a muzzle will help you reach your goal. Chewers do so for many reasons and the very idea that you think a pit is going to calm down with force is a testament to the fact that you do not know the mentality of that breed. He WILL become aggressive after such treatment. I have trained, bred and raised German Shepherds and Full blooded Wolves for over 40 years. The only one who is loosing in this whole mess is the dog.

Finally a subject I DO know something about. Canines: wolfs or dogs! Muzzles certainly have their uses and their place, but for the problem you are having.... well.... this isn't the place or time to be using a muzzle. Pits are as sweet as any other animal when born, its when humans make the wrong choices that they are taught aggressiveness and poor social behaviour. I wouldn't want you to lose your friend because he becomes aggressive with a muzzle on. His behaviour is telling you something! The problem with him destroying items by chewing is his way of telling you he is fearful and needs some boundaries. Buy a STURDY crate, but you cannot just dump him in there when you leave and expect all to be well when you come back. He has awesome jaw muscles and will take most crates apart like so much fodder. It will have to be metal, a good gauge. While you and your roommate are in the home with him, let him explore the crate, like a great gift you have for him, be excited. Then place him inside with a blankie, and some of his toys, close the door and wait 15 minutes. He may scream and fret, but dont let him out until your time expectation is up. Do it several times during the time you are home. Each time give him a treat, lots of hugs etc for having been a good boy in his crate. At night, he should be sleeping in a crate. Crate training a canine is a way to provide a safe haven for him/her to go to when all is hectic about the home. From the first night with a new puppy, crate training should be on your mind. He will know where his "room" is, and it can be used as a time out spot, a quiet refuse from a busy home, and a secure place to lay his head and rest. Furthermore, I would suggest a $110 investment into a puppy class. I don't usually recommend a specific place, but will tell you that PetSmart has an awesome training program for novices. It isn't so much about training the canine, but more about training the people how to deal with the canines and how to teach boundaries and get the expected results. Good Luck!

<H1 class=Font18B>Clay Hamil Saddlery</H1>769 W State Hwy 21 Montalba, TX 75853Phone:(903) 549-2384 Website:Information not found (?)

Hi All, I recently came across an Al Stohlman book with tooled, carved, embossed (?) animals and the book talked about "Plugging". Apparently he layered more leather plugs on top or under the work for depth and definition. Could anyone lead me in a direction to finding out how to do this technique? Show me real examples of this type of work and how it would be applied? I also saw where he had cut some leatherwork and used it in appliques where I can understand the reasoning but not sure how to do it. Thank you for your time Dianne

HI, My 2 cents worth: Suede crawls when cut. So you really need a good angle and a sharp knife. Of course, you probably already know that, I am not a professional, just getting started in this venue. Sunshine

Apparently I don't know how to attach.... maybe this will work!

THAT is very nice!! Going to be beautiful I am sure! I am currently working on a dragon head that I am fileting the top hide from the flesh side and then I plan on curling the scales, similar to what I have done in my feathers. Is this dorky? Does anyone else do these things? The attached feather image and it is not cut and framed yet still trying to figure out how to do THAT part! Dianne

A metro-craft-tool??? t

Nice rigid! Even nicer seat! WOW! Down here we ride year-round. Only found 2 days back in 1989 that were too cold for a glorious ride! These days Poppa and I ride trikes, but I would still love to customize with my own leather work one day! That is fabulous!!

Whew. Ya'll make me feel like a featherweight! I don't have the classiest of names- but everything is named! My first car was a female, she was a 1968 Buick Skylark. Her name was Bessie. One of the worst moments of my teen life was when Bessie got "sick" and I had to leave her at the "hospital" overnight with the picture of her with her mouth open and tongue hanging out haunting me in my dreams. (Hospital was the garage. Mouth open means the hood was up.) It is now 41 years later, she (Bessie) sits in the garage to this day. We take saturday night drives out occassionally, make it to a show - so she can visit "folks" her own age and just keep a low profile. I am 18, with 33 years experience and I now drive a little fellow named Harry Honda. He is a cute and a loverly 4x4. Over the years we have worn out Kitty Cadillac, Bucky the wonder Scout, we even had a Freddie Cougar, and a few more. Now, with this long diatribe I just know ya'll don't want to hear about my 6 (yes, six) sewing machines and their long and stitch-riddled life. Oh no- don't even get me started on my gun collection-whew! The story those bad boys could tell would have you biting bullets! Live Long! Laugh often! Dianne

Some of us walk to the beat of our own hammers. Be Well. Live Long. Dianne

Thank you!! That is a WOW pattern for my skull guy! Live long. Dianne

I have learned a few things lately. Number one- wolves like the smell of leather, deer and elk hides are like candy to the little buggers! So I now go hide in the kitchen with either coffee or a big ol' iced tea, and bang the heck outta stuff while the wolves howl outside. Now who can beat that for music? Believe me its better than hearing myself sing along! I can't carry a tune in a bucket! Dianne

Don't worry Mike, they come back!!!!

Hi Ya'll, I am new to the list and am looking for help on finding a pattern for constructing a pair of traditional Armitas for my adult son. Does any one know of /or have a pattern for these traditiional non-sewn chaps? Many thanks in advance for your time. Dianne aka SunshineNative

Hi Ya'll! I am new to the list and am looking for some help locating a pattern for traditional armitas. I am trying to make a pair for my adult son for his birthday and would like to make them with the rolled leather buttons and tied waist under the apron. I have seen the chaps themselves in catalogues but cannot get a clear enough idea of how the waistband is made to be able to make my own pattern with any confidence. Any help is appreciated!! Long Life. Dianne aka SunshineNative