Another Newb from OK/TX/OH/Kuwait

[jmorton]

Greeting from the Arabian Gulf.

I grew up in Oklahoma City, and shopped in the TL when it was on 23rd street. Well, actually, my dad took me in and he bought kits for me. I assembled a few kits, most memorably, some "Bull Hide Mocs". They lasted for several years. I then took a little (40 year?) break from leather craft.

Travelled around the USA working as a computer programmer for most of the last 20 years. A few years ago, I decided it was time to get back in and have some fun in leather craft. I bought some stamps in the TLF in OKC, and then took some classes at the TLF in KC. I made several belts, and carved some rounders and 1/2 backs. I had the opportunity to take a class with Jim Linnell when he came to KC to do an eagle carving class. I certainly came in dead last by a considerable margin, when we compared our work to each other's, but my classmates did promote me to "Leather Pecker, (junior grade)".

I took a few classes at the TLF in New Orleans, and did a few more projects, mostly belts.

I then went to Frozen Yankee Land, and took the beginning and intermediate class under Michael Boursaw in Cincinnati. I highly recommend Michael's classes. I really have no talent as a leather crafter, but I did learn a lot and do enjoy the craft a lot more.

This past November, I came to Kuwait. Brought a little VegTan and a handfull of tools. I discovered that you can use left over iced tea to stain leather, but the tea is a little twangy afterwards.

I am planning to make a visit back to the USA this February to pick up some supplies - and will ship the rest of my tools and some chems and more VT back in my luggage, when I return to Q8.

I am about to the point where I am going to tool the top of the dining table. Wife hid my stamps.

I am glad to be here on the LW.net, and hope to continue learning as I observe the projects and discussions of the many talented people on LW.net.

I noticed that there is a list here on LW.net that indicates that there are, or at least were, several Leather Crafters here in Kuwait. Be very happy to hear from you.

Thanks,

John Morton

[David]

Greeting from the Arabian Gulf.

I grew up in Oklahoma City, and shopped in the TL when it was on 23rd street. Well, actually, my dad took me in and he bought kits for me. I assembled a few kits, most memorably, some "Bull Hide Mocs". They lasted for several years. I then took a little (40 year?) break from leather craft.

Travelled around the USA working as a computer programmer for most of the last 20 years. A few years ago, I decided it was time to get back in and have some fun in leather craft. I bought some stamps in the TLF in OKC, and then took some classes at the TLF in KC. I made several belts, and carved some rounders and 1/2 backs. I had the opportunity to take a class with Jim Linnell when he came to KC to do an eagle carving class. I certainly came in dead last by a considerable margin, when we compared our work to each other's, but my classmates did promote me to "Leather Pecker, (junior grade)".

I took a few classes at the TLF in New Orleans, and did a few more projects, mostly belts.

I then went to Frozen Yankee Land, and took the beginning and intermediate class under Michael Boursaw in Cincinnati. I highly recommend Michael's classes. I really have no talent as a leather crafter, but I did learn a lot and do enjoy the craft a lot more.

This past November, I came to Kuwait. Brought a little VegTan and a handfull of tools. I discovered that you can use left over iced tea to stain leather, but the tea is a little twangy afterwards.

I am planning to make a visit back to the USA this February to pick up some supplies - and will ship the rest of my tools and some chems and more VT back in my luggage, when I return to Q8.

I am about to the point where I am going to tool the top of the dining table. Wife hid my stamps.

I am glad to be here on the LW.net, and hope to continue learning as I observe the projects and discussions of the many talented people on LW.net.

I noticed that there is a list here on LW.net that indicates that there are, or at least were, several Leather Crafters here in Kuwait. Be very happy to hear from you.

Thanks,

John Morton

Welcome John,

We spoke just before you left for Kuwait. Not sure if you remember that or not. I'm Dave Theobald also a Cincinnati Tandy customer. Best to you and your family this Christmas season.

Dave

[ClayB]

Hi John,

I was reading your post and thought WOW, I used to go to the Tandy store on 23rd street too, back when I lived in OKC in the 70's. That's where I took my first classes and bought my first tools.

Welcome to Leatherworker. It's great to have you here with us!

[Colter]

Welcome to Leatherworker! I was Surprised when i tried EVOO to stain leather, but, Left-over iced tea Really works?!

[jmorton]

<br />Welcome to Leatherworker! I was Surprised when i tried EVOO to stain leather, but, Left-over iced tea Really works?!<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Well, tea works, but not too well. I haven't tried coffee yet, but I guess that may be the next experiment. The wife has had success with using L'oreal hair color on some kits. She says it's Beige Blond #6. She dyed a billfold she made for me, and I think it looks pretty nice.

How did the EV olive oil do? Does the project ooze after that or does the leather absorb and hold it?

Thanks,

John Morton

[jmorton]

<br />Welcome John,<br />We spoke just before you left for Kuwait.  Not sure if you remember that or not.  I'm Dave Theobald also a Cincinnati Tandy customer.  Best to you and your family this Christmas season.<br />Dave<br />

<br /><br /><br />

David,

Yes, I certainly remember you, How are things at P&G? I have to say that your MC seats are fantastic. I am gonna save up and get me one for my first electric scooter when my knees finally go out. Please give my regards to everyone at the store/guild. I managed to get over here without most of my tools, as well as my contact info. Please tell James G. that his idea of the USPS flat rate box is the BEST method for shipping the tools. I found someone on the Base here who will receive my tools, so in March, I ought to be ruining leather again.

I keep hearing that there are leather crafters here in Q8, but have yet to find one.

Great to hear from you, and hope you all stay warm.

John Morton

[Colter]

<br /><br /><br />

Well, tea works, but not too well. I haven't tried coffee yet, but I guess that may be the next experiment. The wife has had success with using L'oreal hair color on some kits. She says it's Beige Blond #6. She dyed a billfold she made for me, and I think it looks pretty nice.

How did the EV olive oil do? Does the project ooze after that or does the leather absorb and hold it?

Thanks,

John Morton

The EVOO Has done great. It Took QUITE a while to dry and be Handled. I made a belt for myself, without dye/stain, to test it out. It has repelled away water, sawdust, Dirt, that sort, gave the leather a really natural and tan look to it, and makes it extremely soft.

I now use it frequently for orders and such since I found it safe. I quote myself, "I", i'm no professional, keep this in mind, i base this off of what i've seen from working with it and using it. It accepts well with Dye (i used Eco-flo range tan and then a coat of EVOO for a top-seal, working great.). Along with that Standard Vegetable oil does just as much, and with a lighter color!

Edited December 27, 2009 by Thalaskaru

[JDRamsey]

Greeting from the Arabian Gulf.

I grew up in Oklahoma City, and shopped in the TL when it was on 23rd street. Well, actually, my dad took me in and he bought kits for me. I assembled a few kits, most memorably, some "Bull Hide Mocs". They lasted for several years. I then took a little (40 year?) break from leather craft.

Travelled around the USA working as a computer programmer for most of the last 20 years. A few years ago, I decided it was time to get back in and have some fun in leather craft. I bought some stamps in the TLF in OKC, and then took some classes at the TLF in KC. I made several belts, and carved some rounders and 1/2 backs. I had the opportunity to take a class with Jim Linnell when he came to KC to do an eagle carving class. I certainly came in dead last by a considerable margin, when we compared our work to each other's, but my classmates did promote me to "Leather Pecker, (junior grade)".

I took a few classes at the TLF in New Orleans, and did a few more projects, mostly belts.

I then went to Frozen Yankee Land, and took the beginning and intermediate class under Michael Boursaw in Cincinnati. I highly recommend Michael's classes. I really have no talent as a leather crafter, but I did learn a lot and do enjoy the craft a lot more.

This past November, I came to Kuwait. Brought a little VegTan and a handfull of tools. I discovered that you can use left over iced tea to stain leather, but the tea is a little twangy afterwards.

I am planning to make a visit back to the USA this February to pick up some supplies - and will ship the rest of my tools and some chems and more VT back in my luggage, when I return to Q8.

I am about to the point where I am going to tool the top of the dining table. Wife hid my stamps.

I am glad to be here on the LW.net, and hope to continue learning as I observe the projects and discussions of the many talented people on LW.net.

I noticed that there is a list here on LW.net that indicates that there are, or at least were, several Leather Crafters here in Kuwait. Be very happy to hear from you.

Thanks,

John Morton

Hi John,

Here is a happy new year greeting from "frozen yankee land" in Indianapolis, IN area. There was discussion in this thread about using EVOO to stain leather. I was able to get a rich deep brown color by applying a light coat of EVOO & neatsfoot mixture, then laying a project in the sun for a few hours. . .repeating until the desired depth is achieved. This gives the project a "Coppertone Tan". A picture of the item is attached, but is also in my gallery along with a shot of the back side. I expect you have no shortage of sunshine where you are.

Keep safe.

Jim

[TTcustom]

Welcome to the forum! I have used extra strong coffee and it stains quite well. reading your iced tea comment made me laugh at the memory!

Tim