I guess that this thread got hijacked a little and some of the comments maybe should have been on another thread.
I am glad to see some more activity around here and hope that we can keep it up aliitle more.
One comment to add,though,I hope to always be a part of the positive encouragement group.Remember, if you want good freinds,BE ONE.

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I'm only as good as you think I am.

Dave, I'll second that

Larry

I agree with you silverchip. I must apologize, it was not my intent to hijack this thread. My intent was to stir the pot and see what comes out. In regards to your last thread, well said. I thank you for past and future posts and responses.

I'll bet Prescott is nice this time of year. I used to stay with some friends there. Their name is Kieckhefer. The ranch is NW of prescott. It is called the K4 Ranch. Beautiful place. Their family has been involved in rodeo for a long time. Have you heard of them? The grandpa, Chuck Sheppard was a world champion. Chuck's son in law John Kieckhefer had a stock contracting outfit. John's son Rick made the NFR in the calf roping a few years back. I have not been to Prescott since the late 90's but I have some customers there and they said that there is a lot of growth happening there. Have you ever been to that Bronze foundry east of Prescott? I was there once to pick up some wax for my dad. It was a very impressive place.

Dave, In regards to the leather bag that Mr. Stormes has in the TCA catalog. Is it common practice among other TCA members to put their names on items that they sell that other craftsmen had made for them? I noticed that Mr. Stormes gave Mr. Hardy credit for the silver on the saddle in the catalog. What I am talking about are items outside of the catalog that they would commonly sell. Do you ever come up with a design and then have someone else make it?

If any of you ever get the chance, go see the TCAA exhibit in person.
There is a huge difference between seeing a picture of a fine piece of art vs. seeing the real thing up close. I first went three years ago and was completely blown away. I've been back every year since. Pictures cannot do justice to this type of work.

I'm sure glad to see some activity again on this forum. I'm not much of a TV watcher and this is pretty good entertainment. Let's all keep after it.

Stewart

I agree Stewart. The worst kind of exhibits are the ones that are placed behind glass. If you could just get 3 inches closer. I wonder what other people are thinking when they see your face planted against the glass? Well enough engraving for today. My boy is 5 and he is not in school today. His mother (my wife) said that he wishes I were there because he has plans for me. I hope it is not Lego. I would rather fill pits in spurs than do Lego! LOL See you all tomorrow. Thanks for the interaction.

I am friends with several members of the TCAA. Having said that I know first hand that they have TALENT, and the tools they possess, have been aquired over TIME. Their creations take many hours of research and creation in their off time, the hours AFTER 6pm and weekends. They don't live in fancy houses. But if you have the opportunity to visit their shops you will find yourself at home They love saddlemaking, bit and spur making and rawhide I have not met one yet that is not willing to share his experience. TCAA keeps the tradition alive and test the limits of leather, steel and rawhide

PS This is a GREAT forum!!!!!!

Thanks for the post. Please tell a little about yourself.

Tcaa friend. I noticed that you are "New" to the forum and I am sorry that I did not welcome you to the forum in my last post. Sorry for the oversight and welcome.

I got to get the last word in on the catologue.TheNCWHM foots the bill for the catologue and I think they deserve proper recognition, especially Mr.Don Reeves for heading up the effort that goes into it.It's probably the most stressfull time for him as it all has to come togather in about 6weeks time.
Way to go,Don.Thanks for all that you do to make ti happen.
DSA

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I'm only as good as you think I am.

I'd like to set the record straight on a few things I've read lately on this forum.
The TCAA idea was originated by a group of craftsmen who were showing their work at the time during the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. Once the idea started to germinate, they contacted a few craftsmen that they hoped to include in the group of original, or founding, members. I was one of the people invited to that organizational meeting.

I have never told anyone, nor would I ever, that they have no chance of becoming a member of TCAA. I have also never said "we have to be careful who we make famous" which would be an utterly irrelevant comment. The TCAA is not in the business of making anyone famous.

The travel bag in this year's show was made by me, in my one man shop,start to finish. I have in the past taught many people to make similar bags and did at one time contract Charlie Barnett to make some. He hasn't made any for me for several years now.

The TCAA members take the responsibility of voting on membership applications very seriously and I, for one, consider it the most onerous duty of membership.

In closing, to whoever it was who thought I should be banned from entering the United States- that might be difficult to accomplish because I happen to be a citizen of the United States of America.

Thanks to all of you for your time and feel free to comment or ask further questions or clarification.

Chuck Stormes

Chuck~ Please give me a call toll free at (888) 447-2693 and I would be very happy to revisit our prior conversation. If I do not pick up, please leave a message with the best time to call you back and I will be sure to do so.

Most Sincerely,
Greg Pauline

Mr. Pauline. I was wandering if Mr. Stormes has called you yet?

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I only do what my wife tells me to.

I've always been able to count on an honest critique from Chuck. As a matter of fact, he has helped me more than anyone within the last few years in my development as a saddlemaker. Some of his critiques were a bit hard to take. Sometimes they left me wondering, "Could my work be that bad?". Never did I misconstrue his comments as being rude. He was simply being honest. I owe him a great debt of gratitude for his candor. My work has grown, improved, and expanded under his tutelage.

I've not spoken with Chuck about this most recent controversy, but I can tell you all that the losers in this drama are those who would seek advice and critique from him from here on. Few have had a greater heart for helping elevate craftsmanship than Chuck Stormes. If he is guilty of anything, it would be naively assuming that all who might come to him are interested in his honest opinion. Unfortunately, that will change. I feel blessed that I was one who came for help before the bad experiences he's had in this regard over the last while.

Cary Schwarz