what do you do for a living

[cardinal leather]

My dad had a siding and roofing business for forty years so I grew up on a roof and a ladder all over Wisconsin. During high school I joined the Navy Reserves and spent 10 years as machinist mate. In the meantime I worked my way thru a carpenter apprenticeship and into construction.

Twenty five years of commercial, residential construction and project management lead into a custom cabinet shop installing custom and semi custom cabinets along with build/install laminate and solid surface countertops. A great business but would not support two families so I moved back into the construction business. An opportunity came along thru a friend to apply for a job as a property insurance adjuster. Another great job but after 19 years I started to see the finish line.

I managed to fall off a roof in MN a couple of years ago and during recuperation I discovered this site. It inspired my last career choice. I had not done any leather work in years and then repairs and hobby things for myself and family. After considerable time and study I am aiming at the repair side of the business with a few shows thrown in to meet more leatherworkers and enjoy the craft.

I started a new shop for my craft work this year and hope to have it up and running prior to retirement from my day job. Along with my wood shop I will be plenty busy. I am already doing some small custom leather work and doing custom strap work for my son’s pet store. Moving ahead slowly to make sure that I can keep up with everything.

I will not likely approach the level of work that I see on this site, but that is ok as there is plenty of work out there for every skill level. One of the best parts of this site is the chance to follow new, opposing and independent views of the craft, equipment and techniques both old and new. Thank you all for your input, keep it coming.

[Tinkerton]

Started off training as a pilot. Couldn't find work, so I took a job in a resin recycling plant for a while. After I was laid off from that job, a now very dear friend of mine gave me a tip that Nav Canada was waiving the fee for one of their aptitude testing sessions. I figured it was worth a shot and at least in the same industry as my training, so I went. I've been an air traffic services specialist for nearly eight years now and couldn't be happier. I was introduced to leatherworking at FanExpo Toronto last year while getting into the whole steampunk movement. My regular job can get pretty stressful, and I've found hitting leather with a mallot very theraputic. :-P

[arojas77963]

Oilfield worker

Oilfield worker

[ramrod]

i am a delivery driver for staples. my route is duke hospital - exclusively. i love my job.

[jfdavis58]

First and fore most a husband and father so, a handyman, cook, gardener, driver, educator, judge, councilor, medic, best friend, housekeeper, dog trainer, garbageman, taskmaster...

Trained and educated as Chemical Engineer. Did some grad school until ... (another expensive story). Wrote process modeling and control software, manuals and installation guides; translated and updates various numerical, statistical and property estimation software to newer languages and computers. Mid career did accident reconstruction and fault assignment (expert witness until too many threats caused safety concerns). Dabbled since high school in photography and made a few extra bucks shooting any event except weddings (actually developed a great aversion to 'wedding planning' mothers) and some product photography.

20 odd years ruining leather for folks foolish enough to pay for the service.

Joined here about a year ago (give or take) and spend lots of time lurking in the shadows.

[Tesla Ranger]

I spent ten years doing IT Support, including 6 in the Air Force. The titles and positioned ranged from Desktop Support to System Admin to Help Desk but the basic premise was always the same: fixing computers. Shortly after being laid off from my last position I moved to Canada to marry my wife and under the terms of my immigration I couldn't work until my application processed. In the interim I realized just how much I didn't want to continue in IT Support. While I enjoyed the task of the work (fixing computers) I really didn't appreciate everything else that came along with the job. Instead of expecting to get another position in the same field when my PR (Permanent Residency) processed, I decided to use the time in between (which turned out to be just about two years) to focus on my leathercrafting so I could take something that had been a hobby and turn it into something that made money. I got my PR at the end of May and registered my business two days later, but I'm still in the process of fully getting everything up to speed. I'm hoping I can officially open for business (on Etsy at least) in a few more weeks.

[Big Sioux Saddlery]

The leather shop is my profession--build custom saddles and harness (my favorite) and repair of the same. Twenty three years in business. People who don't know me tell me "Your husband must have a good job." Guess what, ain't no husband. I couldn't afford him! I'm poor most of the time, but I work for me. I support myself and my 14 year old son. Trade a horse now and then for a little extra money when I see the opportunity. Used to train horses for a living, and later just an occasional one for a little extra money. My body don't hold up to that too well anymore. Always on the lookout for a deal to make a little extra, doesn't have to be horses. Could be bottle calves (last years project, I'm still smiling), horse drawn equipment, leather machinery, you name it. But the one thing you have to have to do this is TIME. You can't be enslaved by an 8, 10, or 12 hr a day job working somewhere that gives you a week off a year and still have time to run across the deals and opportunities. I did the town job for 2-1/2 years (and still worked 20 hrs in the shop) while I went through my divorce and it was the worst 2 years of my life. Walked out the door at 4:00 one afternoon when the boss was on a rampage and didn't look back. I work as many hours a day as anyone, but I'm working for ME. and love it! I know so many people who hate their job, but they don't have the courage to make the jump, nor the skills, opportunity, or resources to do anything other than what they're doing. I do feel for these folks. I have been fortunate.

[silverbullet]

I'm a machinist , welder , mechanic , cabinet maker, carpenter, fabricator , inventor , husband , father, and soon to be gran pop. I grew up with a father who was a jack of all trades and most all I learned from him was where there's a will there's a way . I went to vocational school to become a machinist worked in the trade for 5 years , when I became disabled from a malady called trans verse myelitis . Grew up hunting and fishing and roaming the woods loved every minute of it till I couldn't do it anymore even from my wheelchair, took up shooting trap and skeet , stayed with trap and made it to the all American team on the PVA team in 2004 , now with some more health issues . I don't get around as much and the stamina needed to keep shooting and hours of practice I'm just not up to it anymore. I've loved working with leather for at least thirty years I never was and still am not able to give it as much time as it deserves . This site is great there are some real artist on here. Wish my items looked as good but working from a hospital bed I think they turn out pretty good . I like making holsters and scabbards and shellbox holders gona make some for the skeet shooters in the 4 gauges as sets . I don't know of anyone making them or have never seen any . Could be something I can do. Gary

I'm a machinist , welder , mechanic , cabinet maker, carpenter, fabricator , inventor , husband , father, and soon to be gran pop. I grew up with a father who was a jack of all trades and most all I learned from him was where there's a will there's a way . I went to vocational school to become a machinist worked in the trade for 5 years , when I became disabled from a malady called trans verse myelitis . Grew up hunting and fishing and roaming the woods loved every minute of it till I couldn't do it anymore even from my wheelchair, took up shooting trap and skeet , stayed with trap and made it to the all American team on the PVA team in 2004 , now with some more health issues . I don't get around as much and the stamina needed to keep shooting and hours of practice I'm just not up to it anymore. I've loved working with leather for at least thirty years I never was and still am not able to give it as much time as it deserves . This site is great there are some real artist on here. Wish my items looked as good but working from a hospital bed I think they turn out pretty good . I like making holsters and scabbards and shellbox holders gona make some for the skeet shooters in the 4 gauges as sets . I don't know of anyone making them or have never seen any . Could be something I can do. Gary

[Double Daddy]

While I've done a quite a few things over the years (welding, finish carpentry, masonry, refinishing, retail)....for nearly the past decade, I've worked as a project engineer in the correctional equipment & construction industry...basically, I design prison & jail cells as well as other "secure areas". I got into leather working as a hobby after graduating from college (B.A. History & Political Science) to satisfy an artistic itch and learn a new trade...can't have too many! When I'm not in my office or at my workbench, I'm enjoying life with my wife and twin daughters (thus my LW.net "handle")...

Edited July 25, 2014 by Double Daddy

[cgleathercraft]

Computer Programmer by day, aspiring leatherworker by night.

Grew up on a farm and did a little bit of everything. Had sheep for 4-H and FFA. Worked in the hay fields all summer. Chores in the winter. Dad had an old saddle from when he still had a horse. I was initially interested in leather when I saw it. It was in dire need of repair. It had been used hard and had more scuffs, cuts, broken seams than complete pieces. It found its way to an auction when we did some cleanup quite a few years ago.

I was told once that anyone with a farming background doesn't do well with a desk job. Probably why I took up leather, had to keep my hands busy!