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Thank you for adding me and a big hello from Waco tx. I am a silversmith who loves making southwest jewelry and looking to add some leather to my work. Looking forward to meeting more leather workers.

Back in the late '90's I closed my Ostrich Farm in Criner, OK. This week while going thru and thinning out my storage shed I came across a box of 8 hides I had tanned by Capital Leather, Johnstown, NY in 2002. I have the invoice and intend to call the tannery to see how they are doing. I need a few ideas on what to do with the ostrich hides. I skinned two couches and have really improved on my hand stitching the soft chrome tanned upholstery leather. My attention to hand stitching detail and learning the assembly process of a simple zippered coin purse is getting better. My first attempts are real POS's! I use generic stitching chisels, 002 John Jams Needles, 0.8mm ritza thread, Uniters Edge Paint and a homemade stitching pony made from the beautiful maple wood from one of the 40 year old couches. I'm not good enough to use marking chisels and a diamond shaped awl. I plan to continue making the coin purses/wallets for gifts to family and friends. I want to make two belts for myself...so I need a few straps of belt worthy cow leather... So...what do I do with the ostrich hides? I'm not experienced with grading...by a few are blemish free in the full quill diamond area. Attached is the 4th coin purse I made. I'm beginning to feel like I just might have the patience, interest and pride in learning leather work. Feed back is requested... Take Care, AlamoJOE

Hello, I've recently started on this very satisfying hobby, and attached below, was my very first project I was too cheap to buy one so decided to make one using repurposed "leather", I had a key holder that I was not using. Someone gave me a metal card holder, so I used that

Howdy y'all, I started making some rough holsters for guns a knives not quite a year ago. I have recently got a sewing machine for leather and have been learning how to use it and make better quality holsters. I live near Chattanooga, Tennessee. If anyone knows of a great place to get leather, buckles, and what not close by I sure would appreciate it!

Hellow everyone, I'm a new memeber from Knoxville, TN. I start my leather projects from 2012. I don't have sewing machine, but love to stitch by hand. All my projects are for my wife, my family, my friends, and of course several for myself. I also DIY some tools for leather craft which were not afordable for me. I find this forum a great place to share experience, learn from others and ask questions. I'd like to join the forum. I attached pictures of several of my projects. (The bag is for self use only.......)

Hi, Well after all these years I have eventually joined the Leatherwork forum. I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Peter from Northamptonshire in the UK. Back in the 70's my wife and I where on a trip in Scotland when we came upon a leatherwork shop and in the window display a handbag caught my wife's eye. So we went inside and chatted with the owner. I spied on a back shelf the large Tandy's beginner's kit. To cut a long story short. I bought my wife the handbag, the owner became a lifelong friend and I started my career in leatherwork. Some many years later and after a change of career I went into the building industry and unfortunately my leatherwork was put aside. In my retirement, I now have resurrected my workshop, and will be once again enjoying my leatherwork. Over the years I have bought many books and pieces of equipment, but now I find its time to downsize, so quite a few of these I no longer will be using. So please watch this space as I shall be having a clear-out and put them up for sale. Quite a few of these are unused and 'as new' so they will be excellent for beginners who wish to save some cash. My passion has always been to learn the art of leather cases. So I shall most likely concentrate on construction and stitching, with less emphases on carving decoration. Although I quite fancy creating some designs based on the Celtic tradition. Look forward to chatting with you all.

Hello to All, I got interested in CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) about three months back and joined SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) two months ago. I am trying to gear up and have been looking at double holster rigs designed specifically for the sport. There are many beautiful rigs out there, and all come with a hefty price tag to match their quality. I was also looking at Cowboy Cuffs, and thought I could make those. Not long after that thought came the next which was, if I was going to buy some leather tool and supplies, I might as well make my holster rig as well and save some money. Well I just got done purchasing some basic tool, and am making a list of additional tools that I might need. Turns out by the time I buy the books, tools, equipment, and leather, I am not going to save any money at all. Well at least I will have the satisfaction of making my own gear. I am wondering this though: Am I the only one here stupid enough to take on two expensive hobbies at the same time? Oh and I forgot to mention that while at the local antique mall last Saturday, I found and purchased a late 1800s J. D. Randall Company saddle stitching horse. Remington Steel.

Hello, I live in France, and started leather working so I could repair and modify harness for my donkeys. Just started making things from the start as I needed a belt. So that's done, lots of mistakes and now I am making another which is already looking better. I got a lot of information from this site, also some instructables. I'll post a picture when the second one is done, not the first one, please!

The real name is Eric. I have been working with leather for about 2 months. I enjoy carving Celtic knots. I have made a couple of pieces. Each one has their own flaws but each one is better than the last. I have some other projects in the works right now. I am not currently doing this for money, just for the fun of it. I have seen some great works on here and a wealth of knowledge! I look forward to being active on the site and meeting everyone. I will try to upload some pictures soon. They are all to large due to size and resolution settings.

Hi, my name is Anthony and I live in New Jersey. I am new to sewing and just got myself a Singer 29-4. I think in was made in 1916. I joined the group to have a resource to find help on learning how to maintain and use the machine. Interested in leather work although I know the machine is not necevssarily the best to work with leather because the presser foot will mark the leather. Any advice would be helpful. Remember, never sewed a stitch in my life.

Greetings, This is my semi-quick intro. 30 something male from the Maryland. Most of my experience with leather has come from prefab kits (gloves, moccasins, bags, bracelets, etc...) that I have done over the years from my youth to currently. I am what is called a "Maker" / "Hacker", which is a fancy way of saying I like to build and modify stuff. I have come across the majority of my skills as engineer / builder / technician for the entertainment industry (mostly live shows, but tv and movies as well). I am a collector of skills. I sharpen my skills by making things and asking questions when I get stuck. I promise to search the archives first but if I need further clarification I will post so please be patient with me. I have wanted to get more into leathercraft for many years. I have collected random bits and bobs of leather and remnants and kits I have yet to do. I only recently discovered Tandy Leather. The bigger bonus was that I discovered that one was about an hour drive from my home. Armed with this knowledge and my bank card I have spent a small fortune ramping up my specialty tools and materials for bigger projects that I have been dreaming about. I am happy to be in the company of and to take advantage of the vast knowledge of master leather workers. I guess you could say I am awl in. BTW I should mention Ian Atkinson of Leodis Leather Youtube channel is how I discovered this forum. His and Nigel Armitage of Nigel Armitage Leather Youtube channels have really spurned me forward to pursue this as more than a casual interest. so bravo gentlemen. Regards, ZD

Hello. I've had an account here for about a month, but it's taken until now to introduce myself. Over the last six months or so I've often sourced information and advice from this forum, it's been extremely useful, so thanks to all those who take the time to share their knowledge and resources. I've been working with leather for around eight months, but have only been able to get any regular hours in over the last two. Now I've set myself up self-employed and I've started to sell my work. I'm still experimenting with different approaches towards leather work and seem to learn something new with every project. Any ideas on how to improve my work would always be appreciated, and I hope to be able to offer help for others. I'm just putting together a gallery on my profile. Anyway, thanks in advance. Billy. London, UK.

Just wanted to say hi to all and I am looking forward to learning new techniques and being inspired by others. From what I have seen so far, there is quite a bit of talent here.

Hello! I'm new here and about a year and a half into leatherworking. I'm a very late bloomer (age 57). I'm teaching myself from videos and books, but I'm still hoping to find a mentor one of these days. I've learned a lot, but am finding that there is so much more that I want to do. This past April I started selling on Etsy (www.caffyleather.com). It's slow going and my stuff is kind of simple and mediocre; I look at some of the other leather crafters' work and wonder what the hec I'm doing there. I'm glad to be a part of this community and hope to learn, learn, learn! Then one day I might be able to help someone else. So, here's me (don't know how to add me as a thumbnail) and a couple of pieces of my work. Wondering if I did this right.

I am just getting back into leather after 30 years of not doing anything with it. Using the internet is a new thing to find patterns and information on it. If anyone can help by sending me links to resources that would be greatly appreciated.

Greetings! I have poked around Leatherworker.net for a few days and have learned a great deal and discovered what appears to be a community of good people who happen to be interested in leatherwork. I have returned to leatherwork after decades away. It's good to see a wealth of interactive knowledge documented here. This will be a great place to learn, exchange ideas, and I hope make a few friends. I am in a transition period -- just about to retire from a great career, or "day job," and starting a second career making useful things out of leather, canvas, metals, and wood. The first two prototype products in the works are a roll-top canvas and leather daypack and a leather combination purse and bicycle saddlebag. So far, it's fun, rewarding, but a great challenge with many lessons to learn. It's good to be here, and I hope to know some of you by name soon. Randy Runtsch Afton Craft, L.L.C. Rochester, Minnesota, USA

Hi Everybody. I am from Guam and the Philippines. I am new to leather and rawhide craft. I am interested in making a reata and repairing /making saddles. Signed up not too long ago and have found some great info here on my interests. Have been in touch with another member, Chaed, who has been very helpful. Look forward to learning a lot from you all. Randy

More years ago that I want to remember I was do some leather work and carving, then I lost interest, but because of another interest I have renewed my interest in leather work. I am not planning on becoming a super talented person, but will just make simple things for a business that I own. I am 76 years old, but believe that you can teach a old dog new tricks. -- Tex

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie from Canada.