Help a great local leather shop

[Schno]

Hey guys,

The great people at Standing Bear's Trading Post in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles are applying for a grant from American Express. These grants are intended for small businesses that have inspired through demonstrations of innovation, community and customer service.

One of the requirements for review is 50 individual endorsements. Currently, as of this morning, they have 22. All you have to do to help out is go to their profile at the ShineALight website, register, and click 'Endorse this story'. Simple, right? Right!

Those of you that know Wayne Christensen at Standing Bear's are well aware of his merits as a craftsman and mentor. For those who don't, here's what's posted on their profile:

On April 1st, 1999, Standing Bear, a Spiritual Elder of the Onondaga Peoples of the Iroquois Confederacy, former owner of Standing Bear's Habitat (a Native American Museum displaying artifacts and providing a place for children to learn about Native Americans first hand) opened Standing Bear's Trading Post. He had been teaching beading classes at a corporate leathercraft supply store that closed all of their over 100 retail stores in 1999 including the Reseda location where he had been teaching which closed on March 13th of 1999. Known as Bill Kimmey to the scouting groups he was a part of for over 60 years, Standing Bear wanted to provide a place where scouts and other youth could come and learn about leathercrafting, where leatherworkers could come see the leathers and other projects they were wanting to purchase rather than trying to guess at correct coloring sizing etc. by ordering only via the internet.

June 11th 2006, Standing Bear, founder and original owner of Standing Bear's Trading Post, passed away in Minnesota. The Store is now owned and operated by Wayne Christensen who was one of the founding group that helped Standing Bear when he opened the store. There are no employees, just Wayne and a friend with help from their customers keeping this small business open and running. Wayne works with the scouts on their leathercraft merit badges, and teaches leathercraft classes 4 nights a week as well as giving private classes to keep what was once called a dying art alive. Standing Bear's offers discounts to youth groups in order to keep the art of leathercrafting alive and affordable for camps, scouts, schools and other youth organizations even though at times offering discounts is difficult due to the economy and cost of running a business.

I am one of the students at Standing Bear's Trading Post, I am visually impaired, which makes leather carving a challenge most of the time. I do most of my leatherwork more from touch than sight. Beveling by using my fingertips to ensure I am on the correct lines and beveling in the correct direction etc. Wayne taught me how to make my art the best it can be through his support and patience. Without Standing Bear's Trading Post and Wayne as my teacher, I believe I would have given up on the ability to do this craft. Through my time spent at the store, I have watched Wayne teach hearing impaired students, visually impaired students and students with other learning or physical disabilities create masterpieces. With the economy as bad as it currently is, many small businesses are closing their doors because the money they take in plus more goes out just to meet the bills. I believe that a grant and free marketing assistance for Standing Bear's would allow for it to further support and contribute to the youth and adults in our community.

[Cowboy316]

endorsment sent there bud Wayne is a friend of mind so ill help in anyway i can

Cowboy316

[rickybobby]

Hey guys,

The great people at Standing Bear's Trading Post in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles are applying for a grant from American Express. These grants are intended for small businesses that have inspired through demonstrations of innovation, community and customer service.

One of the requirements for review is 50 individual endorsements. Currently, as of this morning, they have 22. All you have to do to help out is go to their profile at the ShineALight website, register, and click 'Endorse this story'. Simple, right? Right!

Those of you that know Wayne Christensen at Standing Bear's are well aware of his merits as a craftsman and mentor. For those who don't, here's what's posted on their profile:

Done,

It is a nice little store, been many years since I have been there. I used to go to the Tandy Store there next door, I was so glad that they took up the cause and started this shop at a time when NO ONE was starting a leather crafts shop. Thanks W.C. & friends! Hope you make it!

Rick Jorgenson

[Schno]

Done,

It is a nice little store, been many years since I have been there. I used to go to the Tandy Store there next door, I was so glad that they took up the cause and started this shop at a time when NO ONE was starting a leather crafts shop. Thanks W.C. & friends! Hope you make it!

Rick Jorgenson

Thanks, guys! They're up to 39 now... they only need 11 more!

[barra]

Thanks, guys! They're up to 39 now... they only need 11 more!

I've visited SBTP and spent time chatting with Sandi. I can't register to endorse as I live in Australia (well I could tell a porky pie). Jump in guys and gals. Help out Wayne and the crew, register and endorse the story.

Barra