Leather Craft Magazines

[stelmackr]

Over the years I have collected the Leather magazines from the first issue to the current Leather Crafter's Journal Jan/Feb 2025 (most all retained their Pattern Pull-Out section). My question is, do other leathercrafters collect them and how do you store them?

 

Edited Friday at 09:59 PM by Northmount
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[Northmount]

43 minutes ago, stelmackr said:

My question is, do other leathercrafters collect them and how do you store them?

I collected a few hundred woodcrafting magazines over the years.  Then one day decided to scan them to PDF files, then disposed of the original magazines.  Pages that were only ads, I deleted, unless there was something I wanted as a reference.  Pull-out pages that were just regular page size, I split and scanned.  Depending on your scanner and software tools, you can splice the pages.  Later I got a scanner with a carrier that scans both sides of a folded page (up to 11x17" folded to 8.5x11") and joins them automatically.  You do have to do those pages individually, versus using an auto-feeder.  If you are looking at purchasing a new scanner that scans both sides of a sheet simultaneously, look at ScanSnap.  It was a huge time saver for me.  Scans to PDF.  Just cut the magazine into single sheets, remove garbage pages, stack in the scanner and go.  Scans both sides of each sheet in less than 2 seconds.  So a typical magazine can be scanned in maybe 2 minutes, plus the time to separate into single sheets.

There was a series of magazines that had large pull out pages 21" x 31" that I have stored in pocket folders rather than cutting them up. 

[fredk]

1 hour ago, stelmackr said:

. .  and how do you store them?

Years ago it was common to get special folders for magazines. I think you can only order them thru office stationary suppliers.

Its a heavy weight card folder, like an A4 folder without the spring loops, with wires running top-to-bottom at the spine edge. They usually took 12 issues. You put the wire in the center of the magazine and spring it back into the holder. Then you could put the magazines on your book shelf

[Klara]

Ikea (and probably others) sell little boxes you can put a number of magazines in vertically (sorry, it won't let me find them on the international site): https://www.ikea.com/fr/fr/p/haestviskare-range-revues-motif-chene-50576014/ That's how I kept my horse magazines (on book shelves), until I realised that I hadn't looked at a single one in years. Then most of them went into recycling.

Which is why I recommend to create a database of the contents if you want to keep paper copies without scanning them, or anything else you can think of to make content easier to find. 

[Northmount]

As Klara says above, create a database so you can search and find the articles you are looking for.  Especially if you scan the magazines.  Include Magazine name, volume number or date, article name, short description, up to 6 key words.

 

[fredk]

20 minutes ago, Northmount said:

As Klara says above, create a database so you can search and find the articles you are looking for.  Especially if you scan the magazines.  Include Magazine name, volume number or date, article name, short description, up to 6 key words.

to this I'd add; put a description of what is on the front cover

[stelmackr]

Thanks, great ideas. Currently they are in 3-ring binders, inside Office Depot® Brand Multi-Page Capacity Sheet Protectors, 50-Sheet Capacity, 8-1/2" x 11", Clear, Pack Of 25. The whole leather magazine fits inside and are in various 3-ring or adjustable 3 post binders. Some are in binders I designed and tooled with designs on front and back along with embossed contents on the spine.

There is something about the paper magazine the appeals to me. And the ability to tool designs on the covers.

Thanks again for the ideas for the electronic storage. I'm closing in on 80-years old and not sure I have the time to scan all the magazines ;-)

[Northmount]

59 minutes ago, stelmackr said:

Thanks again for the ideas for the electronic storage. I'm closing in on 80-years old and not sure I have the time to scan all the magazines ;-)

You've got me beat by about a year.  I started digitizing my magazines about 20 years ago.  I was running out of shelf space between magazines and reference texts for engineering and computer programming.  2 each 4' wide shelves 6' high.   Then there are the rest of the family's books.  At one count 1500 approximately.  I had even dumped a ton of photographic and power engineering magazines that I wish I still had.  Had pulled all the ads out and stapled the informative articles and stored them in bankers boxes.

[stelmackr]

Thanks, great ideas. Currently they are in 3-ring binders, inside Office Depot® Brand Multi-Page Capacity Sheet Protectors, 50-Sheet Capacity, 8-1/2" x 11", Clear, Pack Of 25. The whole leather magazine fits inside and are in various 3-ring or adjustable 3 post binders. Some are in binders I designed and tooled with designs on front and back along with embossed contents on the spine.

There is something about the paper magazine the appeals to me. And the ability to tool designs on the covers.

Thanks again for the ideas for the electronic storage. I'm closing in on 80-years old and not sure I have the time to scan all the magazines ;-)

[stelmackr]

Found a file that shows how I made the leather binder, over 20-years ago. We were living in Wellingore, England so measurements and sourcing materials were always a challenge. I always felt like I was in a country divided by a common language. ;-)

3-ring_binder.pdf

 

[Beehive]

You guys are the best. I'm glad I joined here.