May 7, 2020 – American Leather Direct has moved to a new location in Bowling Green, KY. You can also now shop online! Business owners, military and first reponders qualify for Business Pricing.
Dates: beginning May through Labor Day, 2022
Artists’ Reception: Friday, May 20
The Brinton Museum (Big Horn, WY) presents the premier exhibition Master Leather Carving from America and Japan, featuring 25 master leather carvers from North America and Japan, opening in the Jacomien Mars Reception Gallery in May 2022. The Brinton’s annual leather show coincides with the traditional Leather Crafters Convention in Sheridan, Wyoming, which features outstanding leather workers in the field. Originally scheduled for May 2021, the start date of The Brinton’s Master Leather Carving from America and Japan exhibit has been delayed due to the COVID19 pandemic.
The geneses of this show started several years ago when internationally-known artist and leather worker, recent recipient of the 2019 NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award and 2019 Wyoming Governor’s Arts Award, James F. Jackson, envisioned an exhibit showcasing extremely talented craftsmen in the leather trade from distinctly different cultures. Included in The Brinton’s 2022 exhibition are leather wall panels and 3-dimensional pieces which highlight traditional carving and the cross-cultural influences of Sheridan-style carving on Japanese leather artisans along with a wide diversity of Japanese contemporary work. Pieces by award-winning saddle makers and leather workers from North America represent a longstanding
tradition of elegantly tooled saddles and other tooled artwork related to the still-alive-today vibrant cowboy culture of the American West. An illustrated catalog with an introductory essay by James Jackson will be published in both English and Japanese to accompany this event. Master Leather Carving from America and Japan is made possible through the kind generosity of charitable sponsors from America and Japan.
Master artisans included in The Brinton Museum’s leather show are:
Japan
Taka Otsuka, Seiichi Koyashiki, Akiko Okada, Michiko Matsuda, Koichiro Oyama, Atsushi Kubota, Takahiro Kubo, Kazuki Fujita, Ryuichi Kimura, Naomi Saito, Mayumi Konno, Takeshi Yonezawa, Takeshi Katsumura, Chi Honghao and Lefty Mikuni
North America
Chuck Stormes, Wayne Hape, Gordon Andrus, Bill King, Keith Seidel, Rick Bean, Bob Park, Cary Schwarz, Barry King and Jim Jackson
More information about this exhibition will be forthcoming closer to May 2022.
About The Brinton Museum: Founded in 1960, The Brinton Museum is a fine arts institution devoted to preserving the art and history of the West. Located on the historic Quarter Circle A Ranch in the foothills of the majestic Bighorn Mountains, it features 19th, 20th and 21st century American and Indian Art in a historic Western setting.
Regular admission to The Brinton Museum is free in 2020 through a generous donation from First Interstate Bank.
Alvarado, TX – Texas Custom Dies is open for business and still making dies, including those used to cut materials for PPE: masks, face shields and gowns. Please note their new address as well:Texas Custom Dies
Developed 9 generations ago as a protector for leather that was used in all weather – hot, cold, wet, and dry – Saddler’s® Preservative softens leather quickly and gives it a non-damaging protective coat. On new leather, Saddler’s® Preservative gives leather added protection against stains and weather; on used leather, it will make the leather supple so it will not crack when flexed. Leather is an investment; use Saddler’s® Preservative for longer living leather.
Available in 3 sizes: 4oz., 8oz., and 16oz
Terry Knipschield of Knipschield Leather Tools suffered a fire in his shop on April 19, 2020. The fire has destroyed the shop and it will need to be demolished and rebuilt. Terry had stopped taking orders for his knives long before the fire in an attempt to shorten the wait times for his highly regarded leather knives. We wish Terry the best of luck in the process of rebuilding https://ed-nederland.com.
The leather world lost a great author and teacher on April 24, 2020.
A full obituary is forthcoming.
FORT WORTH, Texas – For many of us the last few weeks have felt at once like a lifetime and the blink of an eye. At Tandy, we have been closely following the guidance of the CDC and local health officials to make day-by-day, location-by-location decisions on how to best protect our customers and employees from the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to keep our promise to build on our 100-year legacy of inspiring the timeless art and trade of leatherworking. As we consider how we will move into the future, we find it helps to look to our past.
Like many members of our community, Tandy began as a small business. Founded in Fort Worth, Texas in 1919, we got our start selling supplies for shoe repair. That was until World War II, when civilian leather rationing required Dave L. Tandy and then partner, Norton Hinkley, to reevaluate their business model. Dave’s son, Charles, reported that upon visiting a military hospital, he saw patients keeping busy by making things with leather. Thus, a new Tandy was born, one that supplied the armed forces with leather and leathercrafting supplies.
Charles recognized the need to support and build a community, not just run a business rada. That’s still at the heart of Tandy’s mission—we know you count on us. That’s why we plan to face down the next 100 years just like the first—with a willingness to adapt and innovate, and a renewed commitment to support the enduring spirit and indomitable creative energy of our community of leatherworkers.
So, what are we doing that’s so different? At the time of this release, we have taken the step to close all our locations to the public, even where we have not yet been required. This decision does not come lightly—our stores are the heart of our business, and an extension of your businesses and your communities. They are a place for you to come together, learn, share, and work se puede encontrar en esta página. It’s where you stock up on the essentials. So, while we can’t invite you in-store, we are working behind the scenes to deliver the supplies, resources, and the sense of community you’ve come to rely on from Tandy.
Gene ‘Beaner’ Flaten, 58, Velva, died Thursday, March 12, 2020 in a Minot hospital.
Gene was born March 9, 1962 in Williston, ND to parents Ronald and Lois (Unruh) Flaten. He grew up and attended school in Ray, ND. Gene attended trade school for welding at the ND State School of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND.
Gene was united in marriage to Lori Lee on September 6, 1986 in Velva, ND. He worked on various welding projects throughout North Dakota that included bridges in New Town and Grand Forks in addition to his employment at Enbridge in Minot. Beaner eventually opened his own welding shop at his home on the farm located south of Velva.
Gene was a member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church in Velva. Beaner was an avid braider, focusing on making artisan tack and jewelry. He started entering the World Leather Debut held in Sheridan, WY in 2001. He took home first prize in his category in 10 of the last 20 years. Beaner was well respected in the western art community and was considered to be a master. He also enjoyed making time for his friends and family. Beaner will be missed by all who were blessed to share in his life.
Gene is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Lori Flaten, Velva; sons Jake (Alana Kennedy) Flaten, Houston, TX and Zack Flaten, Minot, ND; sisters Ardy (Brad) Bingeman, Lewis and Clark Bay, ND and Tammy (Jerry) Ranum, Cole Harbor, ND; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Carl and Anita Flaten and John and Mary Unruh and mother-in-law Nancy Lee.
Celebration of Beaner’s Life: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at Oak Valley Lutheran Church, Velva, ND.
In light of the latest developments surrounding the Coronavirus and gatherings, the Family of Beaner wanted to express for those who are questioning to attend the funeral to please use your best judgement. The funeral is still taking place on Wednesday March 18, 2020 at 11:00am. The family understands that the health of everyone is of the utmost importance.
Interment: Velva Community Cemetery, Velva, ND
Family Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Visitation: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home.
Memorials are preferred to the Souris Valley Care Center or Oak Valley Lutheran Church, both Velva, ND.
“Obituary,” Thomas Family Funeral Home (https://www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituary/gene-flaten), Gene Flaten, died 12 March 2020.
In early 2020, Fiebing’s launched a new, re-designed website at www.fiebing.com.
In addition to finding information about all of our products, Fiebing’s has added the Fiebing Academy page that includes the entertaining and informative video series by Serge Volken called “Dyeing and Coloring Leather”. You can also find many quick ‘how to’ videos on the Academy page for some tips on applying Fiebing’s dyes and finishes https://lekarna-slovenija.com.
The Fiebing Company in Milwaukee, WI has been manufacturing world renowned dyes and finishes for leathercrafters since 1895
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – In support of the nationwide effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with recommendations from local and national health officials, the Museum will postpone the 60th Anniversary Western Heritage Awards, previously scheduled for April 17-18. The Awards will now be presented in conjunction with the Traditional Cowboy Arts Exhibition & Sale on October 2-3, 2020.
“This was a difficult decision to make, but the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our top concern,” said Natalie Shirley, Museum president.“ We think we’ve been able to make the most of a tough situation by combining these two premier events. Guests will now have a unique opportunity to experience some of the best in Western art and culture in one weekend.”
The Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) has been a partner with the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and home to their annual exhibition for several years. The TCAA is dedicated to preserving and promoting the skills of saddlemaking, bit and spur making, silversmithing and rawhide braiding. The pieces they create for the annual exhibition are regarded as highly collectible and are offered for sale during a special opening event.
The Museum will continue to monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Oklahoma State Department of Health. Any additional changes to our hours of operation or programming will be posted at nationalcowboymuseum.org/coronavirus and on our social platforms.
About the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Founded in 1955, the Museum collects, preserves and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring dynamic educational programs to stimulate interest in the enduring legacy of the American West. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.
