Shop Talk! January 2023

While snow blowing my driveway the other morning, I had a thought. I remembered that I made a commitment to write an editor’s note for every single issue in 2022, something I hadn’t consistently done since we acquired ShopTalk! back in 2017. I asked you to hold me to it, keep me accountable and call me out if I didn’t get this accomplished, and guess what? I didn’t want to disappoint you, so I did it! Unknowingly, I had created a verbal contract (or written agreement) with you, in which I had clearly stated my intention and that alone helped motivate me each month to get an editor’s note written. This thought reminded me of a book I read last year called Atomic Habits by James Clear. Have any of you…

GENE FOWLER A writer and performer based in Texas, Gene Fowler has written for Cowboys & Indians, Oxford American, San Francisco Chronicle, True West, and many other publications. His books include Maverick, Border Radio, Crazy Water, and Metro Music. NICK PERNOKAS Nick Pernokas was raised in New England. As a boy he cleaned stalls for a hack stable in return for getting to ride the horses. He bought his first horse with money from a paper route, and showed in AQHA shows with him. At a young age Nick headed west to play cowboy. He ended up in Stephenville, Texas, where he received a B.S. from Tarleton State University. In 1983 he began building custom saddles under the Pernokas Saddlery label. Nick competed successfully in the AQHA, the NRHA, and the PRCA, in…

It’s a show with history. The Pendleton Leather Show first started out as the Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal Show – organized by Ferdco Sewing Machines; that was more than 20 years ago. Today, it’s one of the most beloved shows in the industry and it continues to evolve with the times. In April 2020, ShopTalk! Magazine took over the reins and they’re thrilled with how 2022’s show went and are looking forward to even more exciting additions to enhance its already dynamic structure. In-person and online learning too… Each year, The Pendleton Leather Show is held in Pendleton, Oregon, during the first weekend in November. This year, instructional classes started on Thursday, Nov. 3 and Misty Shaw, owner and publisher of Shoptalk! Magazine, was excited about the increase in students, which…

Michael Magnus is an advertising professional who supports the growth of the leather industry through his marketing agency, Magnus Opus. Among his client partnerships are Silver Creek Leather Co., manufacturers of Realeather® Crafts and Lace, and Jim Linnell's Elktracks Studio. Learn more at www.magnusopus.com or reach out at michael@magnusopus.com. We all set New Year’s resolutions: go to the gym more often, spend more time in our shop, grow our business, etc. The problem with resolutions is that they typically aren’t measurable goals… they’re just vague ideas that we never know if we did “well” or not because we don’t have a way to track progress. There’s an old saying that “what gets measured, gets managed.” So, as you set your goals for 2023, I encourage you to think about how to…

UNIC holds general assembly meeting The Italian Association of Tanners UNIC held its general assembly in Milan on November 25th. During the meeting, they reflected and analyzed the current situation of the sector in Italy. At the same time, they defined some of the strategies that they will follow in the coming years to face the challenges the turbulent economic environment presents. Data presented at the assembly shows a mixed result for the evolution of the Italian tanning sector. On the one hand, during the first seven months of 2022, the value of production grew by 10.3% and that of exports by 10.8%. During the summer, however, the situation became complicated. Increased production costs—from energy (+360% on average) to chemical products (+31%) came on top of cooling demand thanks to international uncertainties. “In…

The final installation in this series of articles is maybe the hardest to write, but could be the most important. What will happen with my tools when I’m done? Leather tools are a specialty tool and that brings some considerations into the mix. Leather tools may not be as common as woodworker or mechanic tools. A Craigslist ad or word of mouth can sometimes be good for general tools in that situation; you have a somewhat local market. But it is not always the most optimum for specialty tools like leather tools. I buy tools, I sell tools and I face this situation a lot. Here are some of my thoughts and experiences. One consideration is when to sell them. I’m just going to be upfront. If you can take the…