Elktracks | Comments

Teri Jewell

Thursday, 26 March 2009 09:16

Jim i just wanted to say THANK YOU so much i learned alot from you at the eagle class i took at tandy tempe az . you have an amazing talent and only hope one day ill be as good.i feel my work has improved greatly with what you showed me in just a few mins on oak leafs. im trying to do an tiger with same idea if works ill send you a pitcher. thankyou once again.

Chris Schutte

Tuesday, 17 February 2009 09:47

I would like to know if you could give me a copy of your tracing pattern of the sunflower you made. It is absolutely beautiful and when I go home I'd like to make something similar for my wife.
The pattern was always available from Tandy's website, but I see now that it has been taken off.

Kind regards

Chris Schutte
PS: I do think you are a master at your trade.

Kim Hill

Saturday, 14 February 2009 10:26

Mr. Linnell:

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your taking the time to come to the Baltimore Area Tandy Leather Store. You were so kind to show us how to make the Alpaca silhouette. Yesterday was the first time I have ever seen in person anyone carving and stamping leather. It was fascinating!

When I got the email on February 12 about the Tandy Leather-Baltimore: Anniversary Sale, Demonstrations and More, I just quickly scanned it and forwarded it to my friend, Doreen Rose. Doreen and I had been trying for several months to take a class at the Baltimore store, but could never get our schedule to work out with when there were openings in their Saturday class. I knew we would not be able to drive out to the store on February 14, so I did not pay too close attention to what the email said about its Sale. Actually, I was kind of relieved that I could not make the Sale, because the last (and first) time I was in the store I spent over $300 on tools--very quickly.

Fortunately, Doreen actually read the entire email about where there were going to be demonstrations. Although we could only stay maybe a hour, we decided to make the 1-1/2 hour trip from Frederick, MD, to come see the Demo. We ended up staying way longer than we should have, but I sure don't regret it. If it wasn't my Daughter's birthday, I would have the stayed the rest of the afternoon. I am very disappointed that I cannot make it back to Baltimore today to watch what you create.

During the Demo, some one asked you where you were from. I was surprised at the time that you made the trip all the way from Texas. Because we had to leave in a hurry, we forgot to get your business card before we left. Doreen searched the Internet to see if you had a website. The photo gallery on the site is amazing! They do not do your work justice.

After reading your biography, I feel so lucky to have been able to see your work in Baltimore. What a fabulous opportunity for those of us who came to the store! Since I am new to leathercrafting, I had no idea at the time what a honor it was that you came to the Essex store to teach us. Your patient answers to all of our excited questions was very kind. I wondered later if you even got a chance for a lunch break.

Unfortunately, there does not seem to be any places in our Frederick area that have leathercrafting classes or that sells leathercrafting tools. The local craft stores only have a few small kits, beads, lacing. Other than the Essex store, we have not been able to find any local classes. Since Frederick is in the "cross roads", we have even searched in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Essex or Harrisburg seem to be the closest Tandy Leather Stores. Doreen and I have even joked that we should open up a Tandy Leather Company store in Frederick. What a dream that would be--especially since I have not even crafted anything yet! Just lots of plans and almost $400 of supplies (I couldn't resist buying more yesterday).

Sometime when you are in the East, please consider a Workshop/Class in our Frederick area. Since it is a four state area, it might draw interest from quite a range. We are also less than an hour from the DC area, less than an hour from the Gettysburg area and WV, and a jumping point from many areas in VA--not to mention Western MD. It seems to me it would just be a matter of advertising in the right spots. Of course, since I am a "newbie" to leathercrafting, I do not know what all of the details or costs would involve, but I would be willing to assist in any way that you might need if you think it is possible. Depending on the size of the workshop, there is a 4-H Camp Center or other local halls that might work.

Thanks again for showing us some of your techniques with the carving and stamping. What a great chance for us to see fine workmanship so up close and personal. How humble you were when talking about your artistry. I feel very fortunate that we were able to observe you for as short as a time that we were at the Essex store.

Giovanni Zappetta

Friday, 26 September 2008 02:31

Hello Mr. Linnell..... Giovanni Zappetta here....we have met a couple times, doubt you remember, you meet so many in passing....but just wanted to touch base with you as I saw a blip about you and the new free pattern you did for the IILG...and did not know you had a website etc etc, so went to visit and super work....I truly loved your Bio most.... had no clue on your history...just met you and thought you were just a nice guy.... anyway, have always admired your work and creativity, but your blessings in your Bio are really special. Just wanted to say "hello" .... Giovanni Zappetta

Gino

Monday, 11 August 2008 12:24

Thank you again Mr.Linnell and by the way I picked up one of your dvd 21st century leathercraft "sheridan style carving"....hope this is one of many products by you that I might add to my collection....good luck with your upcoming events in Sept.I read your bio on your web page and find it inspiring from your early beginnings to operation mgr. of Tandy Im not related to you ,but just as proud!!!!..........keep up the great work sir for I know you will and have inspired many.........................gino

Mark Honea

Monday, 26 May 2008 00:15

I was taught the art of leathercraft by Harvey Lavender in Scottsdale, Az. back in the late 60's. He went to highschool back in the 50's with my mother. I haven't made anything since highschool so now at the age of 50, I am going to make a bible cover for my wife using one of your patterns. When this project is finished, I will attempt a "Western" hand tooled handbag for her. Tandy used to carry a pretty fair line of this type of handbag as a kit but, nothing exists for sale anymore. Just like you...I want to get back to something I really enjoyed and was pretty good at. I never sold any of my work because I had no idea anyone would buy it. I work in Iraq as a contractor and have some evening time to tool leather and make some things for me and my wife. Do you know where I can find a detailed handbag pattern that I can use to tool a nice "Western Floral" purse for my wife?...I would be grateful to you for any ideas and patterns I can get my hands on. I know there are manufacturers out there making this style. I've been looking at alot of them for ideas. The handbag I want to make will have a mix of "hair on" calf skin, tooled leather with some filligree, buck stitch, and silver conchos...something that is "one of a kind. By the way...your floral work is the only tooling that I will use on this purse...I think it's the finest detailed work I have seen yet...and my wife really likes it too...Thank You...Mark

Michelle Spada

Saturday, 11 November 2006 19:47

I am very impressed with your work. I've seen your carvings on tandy catalog covers, but seeing it in person takes on a whole new dimension. I recently missed your class in AR on the hog carving. Unfortunately I couldnt make it (taking care of a friends ranch, while he is sick in the hospital), but got to see my "tandy friends" work that attended your class. I'm highly interested in learning from you, so please keep me posted on your upcomming classes. I live in the Dallas area, but I'll be in AR until a reliable ranch hand is found to take my place. Do you happen to do any tutoring? Do you need any help so I could work with you? I'll work for free!! Hope to make one of your classes soon! Take Care, Michelle

Billy Perdue

Saturday, 06 May 2006 15:26

While going thru your website, I saw some of the most beautiful leatherwork I have ever seen. You are certainly an inspiration to me, and I am sure anyone else who has seen your work. I like you, am Al Stohlman and trial and error taught, but I couldn't even hold the light for you. You are one of the leatherworkers, that I call a true artist. Myself, I strive to be the best craftsman and tooler that I can be. I'm smart enough to know that I will never be an artist, LOL, I can hardly draw a straight line with a ruler. I just wanted to say how very much I admire you, and you work. Everybody that I've talked with about leather, that really knows anything about leather, and know you or know of you and the things you do for the art are really impressed with how much you teach and share and care about taking leathercraft to all who want to learn, this work that we love. Anyway hope I didn't say anything wrong or that offended you. I'm just excited about seeing you work, plus hearing from people just how nice a person you are, and how much you try to further our craft. With Kindest Regards, Very Truly Yours, Billy Perdue