I have been working with leather for about 2 years out of desire to come up with another hobby to spend all my money on. (my wife's words not mine).... I am a novice knife maker, blacksmith, descent wood worker, and stone cutter. Unfortunately I didn't come up in a community of leather workers and I am learning the trade on my own, using youtube and tutorials to increase my skillset. I have a rudimentary understanding of the mechanics and tools but getting my stupid hands to produce what my mind sees is another thing.
I have tried to join a few groups on Facebook but they always seem to drift into weird fetishes and the darker side of leather. So when I came across this group I thought I would give it a try. I really want to take my skills to the next level so lately all of my other pursuits have been on hiatus to focus on Leather.
My set up is as follows:
Basic set of stamps and punches from Tandy and Weavers, some nicer stamps from LeatherStampsTools on Etsy (tool builder out of Belgium.
Scads of buttons, rivets, snaps. Febings dyes and top coats,
A marble top work bench. Some hand tools that i have developed, (due to arthritics in my right hand)
Basic Mallets, edgers, hand skivers, strap cutters, some cheep Chinese hand tools (edgers, groovers creasers etc) Several hand stitchers
JUKI LU-563 sewing machine
Little about me:
I am a fourth generation German blacksmith and metal worker. (my grandfather would turnover in his grave if he heard me call myself that (blacksmith not German)) I have a very creative mind and don't shy away from trying audacious projects. I like to make all manner of goods in wood metal stone and leather. I am impatient and often rush my projects thus messing them up. (im working on this) I need some help with organization and project planning. I was a pastor for 10 years but most people are surprised to hear that... Maybe because I am a little bit of a smart ass and have been known to over use sarcastic humor.