Deaf Ranger

I originally moved from Pennsylvania to Tucson, Arizona the end of July 2008. Prior to that I became involved in the Single Action Shooters Society in 2006. It was through my involvement with them that I became interested in the leather work. It started by making holsters and gun belts at that time I did not have any means to do any selling. So I would take the holsters to an Amish man who would sell them for me. He started taking an interest in me and then started mentoring me in the leather work. Sometimes I would go to his harness shop every day that he was open. I would help out in his shop for free and he would teach me things regarding leather and crafting it. He was not into tooling or carving but other fundamentals of the trade or the things that he taught me.

I began getting the trade magazines and eventually settled on two, "Shop Talk" and "Leather Crafters and Saddlers Journal." Both of these magazines have been of real value to me. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, I began to meet other leather crafters and was able to go to the Wickenburg, Arizona tradeshow. In the Tucson area, there does not seem to be many leather crafters who are involved in making leather crafts for profit or in a professional way. I also notice that in this area but they don't seem nearly as friendly or willing to share their knowledge. So this is been more of the "go it alone" experience here. Then I found out about leatherworkers.net and I have appreciated the sharing and openness that goes on here.

I am still learning and at the same time my skills have been improving and I have been able to sell at artisan markets throughout the Tucson area. However, this year has been rather difficult and I expect that it is because of the downturn in the economy. So, while it hasn't been a profitable year for me working with leather I do have another profit, which is learning through experience and I have found out the best way to improve in making leather items is practice, practice, practice.

The name of my leather business is called Rocking RC Leather. When we bought our home. We were also able to build a workshop out behind the house where I do my leather crafting. I bought an Artisan 4000 R Toro sewing machine and have found it to be quite adequate. My goal is to make quality leather products that people will appreciate and find to be well worth the money I charge. I don't believe "in giving the items away"because I know there are other craftsmen who are trying to make a living and for me to under charge makes it difficult for them to charge the prices they need to charge. So I try to be reasonable and fair but not cheap. Nor do I want to make products that are "cheap."