dhutcheson Report post Posted September 8, 2008 Hello, Well I was following the advice of the group bought a few tools and started to play with some small projects. My leathercraft education was progressing nicely to this point learning about tools and purchasing some tools. I had decided to start with a guitar strap and get some basic education on leather work locally, good plan right......Well as fate would have it I have to go in for open heart surgery next Wed. which has a recovery time of around 12 weeks. During that time no pounding and such so I guess the projects will have to wait awhile. So my big question and desire for help now becomes can you recommend any good books DVD ect on leathercraft that I can read, study, or watch to help keep the restlessness at bay until I can get back to hands on? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pete Report post Posted September 8, 2008 I REALLY don't care for the George Hurst videos(with him in it) but he produces some good ones with Jim Linnell and Chan Geer. Get the ones on making a sheridan notebook (Chan) and Sheridan style leather carving with Jim. To read, get the big Stohlman leather book. It's about 24" wide and 12" high and has a brown/sepia colored cover. A great book to get the visual feel for using the tools. Don't feel that this is the only order in which to complete a piece, but if you do then you can't go wrong. I just prayed for a successful operation, fast recovery, and to guide the doctors hands. Through Christ, all things are possible. pete Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted September 8, 2008 No pounding? That doesn't sound like "No carving" to me! Why not practice some swivel knife skills? This would be a good time to sit down with a bunch of scrap pieces, and try all the swivel knife finesse lessons in the LCSJ. Painting Cow website also has some good info on carving. You can plan your next few projects, including making patterns. I highly recommend all the Stohlman books: "The Art of Making Leather Cases" It will give you so much info, and tons of ideas for future projects. Also, "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" by Stohlman. These are some of the best investments you can make IMO. You might also want to take a trip down to your favorite leather supply store, and peruse all the stuff in there. Maybe you will find more inspiration. I hope your surgery and recovery go without a hitch, so you can get back to this addiction called leather. Hilly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomSwede Report post Posted September 9, 2008 If Hillys tip on carving is sometihng you can carry out you should be able to deal with some dyeing/staining exercises aswell to your carvings. Good luck with the surgery and wishes for a quick recovery! Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted September 9, 2008 I'll add to the best wishes being sent your way! I too would suggest carving - this is a great time to practice a necessary skill if you are permitted. Aside from that, I'd actually be one to recommend George Hurst's videos. I used them with 4H when I volunteered with a group in PA. For beginners, I found them to be clear and well done. George makes stuff seem so easy! And he was a huge supporter of 4H as well as a general nice guy when I've talked to him. Books are always a great thing too. I'm a sucker for patterns and I have more books than I'd know what to do with. It's a good time to read all the tips of the trade in them, such as the Stohlman books that were mentioned. I also have some by Peter Main that are excellent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted September 9, 2008 I'll add to the best wishes being sent your way!I too would suggest carving - this is a great time to practice a necessary skill if you are permitted. Aside from that, I'd actually be one to recommend George Hurst's videos. I used them with 4H when I volunteered with a group in PA. For beginners, I found them to be clear and well done. George makes stuff seem so easy! And he was a huge supporter of 4H as well as a general nice guy when I've talked to him. Books are always a great thing too. I'm a sucker for patterns and I have more books than I'd know what to do with. It's a good time to read all the tips of the trade in them, such as the Stohlman books that were mentioned. I also have some by Peter Main that are excellent. You have books by Peter Main? I never knew he made any. Okay, enquiring minds want to know... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted September 9, 2008 For the hands, I would take up braiding. It's a skill long lost to me, and time to perfect it, would be valuable to me. For the mind and business, I would develop, gather, schlep together all the patterns I could possibly put together. Without them, the most skilled leatherworker is trying to fight with one arm behind their back. I avoided open heart somehow, after my MI, but the old man had it, He shows the scars proudly, and with a laugh. Godspeed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildrose Report post Posted September 9, 2008 I have two that Peter did (in fact, mine are autographed!) They are soft cover, not very thick, but abound in illustrations and instructions: Stohlman Step-by-Step and Australian Leather Carving (in fact, to REALLY brag, my step-by-step one is also signed by Ann Stohlman...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
