I guess first and foremost I should introduce myself! My name is Sean and I am a disabled veteran. I joined the US Navy at age 21 and was a SAR swimmer for 2 years. I was jumping out of a helicopter during practice ops and hit the water wrong and buckled both knees backwards, did spinal damage, and had severe head trauma. I was in a wheel chair for over a year. During that time I apprenticed as a tattoo artist, and was a tattooist in New York for almost 10 years. After getting tired of city life and the tattooist lifestyle I moved to Washington state where I met my soul mate and now wife Melanie and her daughter Kelsea (at that time was 8). I was fighting the VA for a reasonable disability rating, so I was going to school for web design. Once my rating came through the VA stopped financing my schooling (considered unemployable) so I was left without anything to do. We decided to buy Kelsea her first horse and after some time I also began riding. I found that it helped in my physical rehab. We eventually bought a house on 9 acres, you know to house the now horses. After buying numerous crap saddles, that didn't fit the horse or rider (not being able to afford the nice custom saddles I see all of you making) and still finding myself with way toooo much time on my hands. With the support of my wife I decided to start doing some leather work for a hobby.
So after 1 wallet, 1 belt, 1 cell phone case (all kits I might add) I got the bright idea to make saddles and tack. Some jump huh! I first got Dusty Johnson's book and DVD, still not understanding everything and with the advice I have seen on the forums here I got Bill Gomer's DVD and the entire Stohlman book set. I wanted to try one of the saddle making schools, but it was that or the tools to keep working. So, after tax return time and running up credit cards I got everything I needed to build 2 saddles. So now the first one is complete (minus the stirrups that you have probably see on my other post)
Before I get into the saddle details I would first like to thank everyone that posts all the help on this site! While I haven't been active on posting I have read numerous advice and tutorials that have helped more than anything I have bought! Finding this site has been a godsend in helping me to complete my first saddle.
Now for the saddle, it is built on a Precision Saddle Tree. It is the Cliff Wade with a 16" Seat and the Kevlar and Durahide covering. The leather is Herman Oak ( note to self, first saddle buy cheaper leather as it took 3 sides due to mistakes). I decided that I would step away from the traditional saddles since so many of you guys do it so great and with my tattooing background would you really expect any less (lol)! I also thought I would try and appeal to the younger cowboys and girls, so I did a flame theme. Yes I think I will try and stay in the theme type saddles. The skirts are short because originally a friend wanted to buy it and requested short skirts for his short backed horse. Unfortunately there was a tragedy in his family and he was unable to follow through with the purchase, but the skirts were already cut and I couldn't afford to remake them. I figure the purchaser might need the same thing. Also the seat is inlaid stingray.
With all that said and sorry for being so long winded, the photos are attached below. Once again thank you to everyone that helped me on the forums whether you knew it or not. Any constructive criticism is more than welcome! Also any advice on a starting price for Ebay would also be helpful!