This is last call for free shipping. Last chance to get a letterpress poster of “By Hammer & Hand,” a bottle of our Piggly No Wiggly Glue or our new book “Cricket Tables,” with zero shipping.
We’re trying not to nag anyone. But this post is to remind that guy who will whine to us tomorrow morning: Couldn’t you just extend it one more day for me?
— Christopher Schwarz
Dearborn Denim Carpenters Jeans
I’m always looking for USA-made jeans that aren’t for the mustache-and-too-tall-bicycle set. This year I tried a pair of Chicago-made Dearborn Denim jeans. The denim is 10 ounce, so it’s not terribly heavy. The cut is roomy so you can move. And the pockets and loop are handy.
For $79 – not bad.
My biggest concern with them is – as always – the front pockets. I blow mine out after a year of use and have to get them repaired. These have pockets that are made of lightweight material, so it’s only a matter of time.
But I am hard on clothes. You might not have abrasive leg hair like mine.
Klein Zippered Canvas Tool Pouches
Keeping small tools organized is a big deal for this woodworker. My mind has always been calmer when I have everything put away and easy to find. One of my favorite crutches are the Klein zippered pouches. These are inexpensive, widely available and durable. I keep all my drafting tools in one. A second pouch holds all my spare blades, lead for my pencils, replacement parts for tools, coping saw blades and etc.
Klein makes a lot other great tool bags. But these are my favorites.
And a Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the United States!
My oldest daughter, Madeline, is now out on her own, living and working and thriving in Pittsburgh. But she still has a taste for the sticker business….
I’m not certain I have a lot of new sticker ideas in my head (but I’ll try). In the meantime, we have designed and made these nice wooden bookmarks. They are made from laminated veneer, so they are remarkably strong. And they are nicely printed on both sides.
On the front is one of my favorite quotes from John Brown, plus a woodcut from my friend Rudy Everts.
The bookmark is a warning/reminder every time you open a book.
If you want one, here’s the deal.
Maddy Schwarz
PO Box 55082
Pittsburgh PA 15207
Eventually, we hope to set up a way for people to order them with a credit card or Venmo. But until we tackle that, this is the way to do it.
— Christopher Schwarz
2 Two Tool Bags
I love our Thread-Line tool bag. It has been an almost daily companion in working on the Anthe building. But they are hard to come by (at least for me). If you can get one, I recommend it. It is tough and lightweight and has lots of pockets.
A second excellent choice is the Steele Canvas utility tote. We got ours in waxed canvas. It has the same number of pockets as the Thread-Line and has the added bonus of a shoulder strap. These are made in the USA and made to order. But they are fast.
Both are fairly expensive compared to the crap at the home center. These will last you. The stitching and materials are excellent.
