How much time would you estimate you spend doing leatherwork?

[Patrice]

Well...i'm not proud of myself.

I'm working 35h/week, and since i met my new girfriend in july this year, i spend my whole weekend with her (she's living in Trois-Rivières, about 1h30 from Montréal). And, as she is a university teachers without a permanent job, she's working in Montréal and Saint-Hyacinthe, so she come visit me monday and wednesday night, i'm left with very little time.

In fact, i've been away from practicing leathercraft from about 3 months. I still read and watch some video by Georges Hurst, but, this forum is what keep's me in touch with the leather hobby.

But, rejoice for i'm about to make some leather gift for some members of my family and for my girlfriend. So, i must begin right now

P.s. Is it just me or other like the smell of veg tan leather? Ah.... leather, truly a noble material to work with

Edited November 8, 2007 by Patrice

[leatherworker]

well. i have it a bit better off than most. i'm in school from 9:30 until 12 or 2 most days and then i have family obligations, mostly watching my nephew. then i go home and cook dinner while my girlfriend works on her work. and then i do mine. then if there is any time left i do some leather work. we've been together for almost 2 years, so she knows when i need to work on my leather. i tend to do most of my work at night, and i would love to do some work on the weekends but mostly it's taken up by family obligations and enjoying the cold weather!

i'd say i work on leather about 5 to 6 hours on a very very good week. others none at all.

amy

Edited November 9, 2007 by leatherworker

[Srigs]

To meet the demand with my holsters, I average 10 to 20 hours a week. This fall it has been harder due to an outside project that needed to get done and head to the cabin a couple weekends a month.

[Mike Phelps]

In a fit of pique I quit my graveyard shift job just over a year ago. Not recommended as I was the major source of income for a household of six. The wife told me it would be good to take some time to plot a new course and concentrate on my leatherwork. By the first of the year I was trying to cope with pneumonia and fell into a blue funk. I guess those things happen when your confined to a house that has folks with PTS and clinical depression. Some of my work ethic that I was so proud of got misplaced amongst all the disarray.

Recently I've gotten back to spending at least 8 hours a day at the bench. The creative juices are flowing again and I feel better than I have in a long time. Now if I can bump it up to 10-12 hours a day and put all the energy into it that I used to dedicate to the cooperate world time clock I can make it at this leather work yet.

If the new medication that the doc wants the wife to try works and she can kick her depression and hold down a "regular" job, something that she has never been able to do.

With a little luck, the grace of God, and some determination we're going to kick the black dog's ass.

Mike

[Jordan]

I know exactly what you are saying about dealing with PTS and Depression it is very difficult to handle at times, the wife experienced 2 car crashes, neck surgery PTS, major depression etc. I developed HBP, Diabetes, nerve damage, chronic pain etc etc. All in the last 4 years. So needless to say things have been pretty messed up. Working with leather has been a real plus in improving my outlook on stuff, now if I can figure out how to pay for everything and win the beauracratic battle for SSDI, we should be ok.... Man, when it rains it pours! But It could be alot worse so I try not to whine too much.

[sheathmaker]

Well, I retired from the real world of employment at 62 and I'm about to become 75. When I retired I, at my wife of 51 years suggestion, I created a really well equipped shop to help me devote time to my "hobby" of leather craft. I've made just about everything from saddles and horse tack to chaps and chinks, and of course belts, purses, picture frames etc. etc. etc.ad nauseum.

About three years ago I started making custom sheaths for a knife maker and that has grown to about 26 custom knife makers and I turn out between 350 and 500 custom sheaths a year going nation wide and international. Since my shop is right here at my home I work from about 10:AM to whenever I decide to quit for the day, but never less than about 8 hours and that generally is a 7 day week. Sounds like quite a lot for an old guy, but I love every minute of it and consequently I don't feel like I'm working at all. I also attend all the major knife shows in the nation and that's good for a continuing flow of orders.

My "retirement" is truly blessed because I do every day just whatever I want to, and of course, that's "playing" in my shop.

Paul

[TZHunter]

I only get about 3-5 hours/week, almost always in the evenings, or on weekend. As a hobby (without time pressure of orders, etc) I enjoy thinking through and planning every detail (mentally or on paper). . . this "thinking" part of the process is relaxing and therapeutic for me in a somewhat stressful administrative job. So I enjoy the preparation for a project as well as the actually sewing or making of the project. To preserve this as a healthy hobby, I've personally decided I won't sell anything, but I do often make things for friends as gifts. . . If I'm doing this as a hobby to relieve stress as one goal, the last thing I want is a customer complaining about an insignificant detail that doesn't please him/her. I love this so much, I'm afraid if it became a "job", my appreciation for it could change.

[Billy P]

Mike and Jordan, I really know what ya'll are going through. Back in 2002 I went to pick p some paperwork for my wife to get an ultrasound for a lump on her breast. The nurse asked me if I was alright and I said I guess so, anyway she was insistant that I see the Dr. right then. Next thing I know I'm going to the hospital for test too, and when they got the results haven't worked since. Already had severe Diabetes, that had caused me to have 2 heart attacks (badly weakened my arteries) also caused lung damage (pulmonary fibrosis). I alread had diabetic neuropthany, (sp) whic means severe nerve damage in ankle and especially right hand. I can't pick up a dime off the floor in I can't see it, because I can't feel it. I also can't feel much that is soft like toliet paper, tissue paper, etc. My wife has hade surgery on her back 4 times, once on her neck, and 2 times on her right shoulder for torn rotator cuff. It took me over 2 years to get my SS Disablity started and It likes alot being what I made working. When you go from a little over a thousand a week to little over a thousand a month, now that's a big cut in pay. We both stay depressed. I am in the process of getting my leather working stuff movered into the house. It has been costing me about $75 or $80 a month extra on my power bill to cool and heat my little dogg house so I'm moving it into the extra room in the house to save money. Another thing about that is I've almost always worked in the house on my leather stuff and my wife says, plus I agree with her that I'll get more done in here than in the shop. When I'm out there in the dogg house I tend to worry about her falling or trying to do too much and that effects how much I do and how long I stay out there. She and I have been together for 30 years and while I might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer sometimes I'm smart enough to know who looks out for me, after all these years she is still my best friend. If I see something I want or need to work with leather and she knows it she'll end up getting it for me. Anyway I just wanted you guys to know that some of the rest of us know about and are going through the same things as you are. Ya'll will be in our prayers. Until Later and With Kindest Regards Billy P

[abn]

I only get about 3-5 hours/week, almost always in the evenings, or on weekend. As a hobby (without time pressure of orders, etc) I enjoy thinking through and planning every detail (mentally or on paper). . . this "thinking" part of the process is relaxing and therapeutic for me in a somewhat stressful administrative job. So I enjoy the preparation for a project as well as the actually sewing or making of the project. To preserve this as a healthy hobby, I've personally decided I won't sell anything, but I do often make things for friends as gifts. . . If I'm doing this as a hobby to relieve stress as one goal, the last thing I want is a customer complaining about an insignificant detail that doesn't please him/her. I love this so much, I'm afraid if it became a "job", my appreciation for it could change.

TZ, it's nice to hear that someone else feels the same way I do. I meet my daily stress quota at the day job and don't need any additional aggravation in my "off time." Against my better judgment, I've accepted a few custom orders, but found I didn't enjoy leatherwork much when deadlines and customer specs loomed over my head.

Nowadays, I take "limited production" to the extreme. I make probably 15 or 20 small items a year, on my own schedule and according to my own designs. I enjoy taking my time and being creative. It's also fun to be able to give friends and family gifts that are unique and handmade.

-Alex

[Cecil]

I am 62 and retired on disability. I have seizures in my left arm and leather work is good therapy for fine motor control. It also helps with my concentration. Depending on our schedule I work anywhere from 15 to 35 hours a week on my leather carving. I find it very rewarding.