Rgwhite Report post Posted January 18, 2013 Hi folks, my name is Gary. I'm not new to leather but am working on a comeback. I owned/ operated a boot and shoe repair and leather shop for about 20 years. i sold my business about 6 years ago due to the economy in our small town. In the time I spent in business, their was not much I didn't make or repair. Boots, saddles, holsters, knife sheaths, etc. I went to Randy Merrell's Bootmaking School in 1991, spent about 10 years in primitive re enactment making all the related gear along with making countless items in my shop. I've trapped and tanned hides and worked with fur also. I'd like to get back into the leatherwork now as i've missed it everyday. Hope to connect with some of you along the way. I'll be more than happy to help anyone with questions or problems. I asked my teacher ( I worked in a shop for 5 years before opening my own) thousands of questions along the way so i remember the learning curve. I do still have pics of some of my stuff I'll try to post. Hope to be of help to some along with learning some stuff maybe I forgot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BANDANAGIRL Report post Posted January 18, 2013 Hi ~ Wow....you've got a great resume and I'm sure a ton of wonderful stories to share ~ my dad was an avid trapper and sold the skins....always wondered about the hide process. Welcome...I've been a member for a few months but just started to be more active! Welcome! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
immiketoo Report post Posted January 26, 2013 Hey Garry, sounds like you have a great skill set and we'd love to see some of your work! Welcome, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted January 26, 2013 Hi Gary, welcome to LW! (Though I say it who should not -- I joined yesterday...) So.... I have a question for you already. I've been contemplating making very simple shoes (i.e. ballet flats) for a while now. How difficult is it to make them look nice? And do you need any special tools? Do you need to buy special soles, or can you, say.... bake some leather to make it particularly hard? Does anybody else here make shoes? As you can see, I have absolutely no idea. Thanks, Monica Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted January 27, 2013 Welcome to the forum Gary. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David8386 Report post Posted January 27, 2013 Welcome to the forum. David Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
