What leather craft has given me in life.

[Beehive]

I wanted to send this out to the internet. Call it the leather community or your pick. 

 

When I was a young Texas kid. Every stereotype that has been projected onto Texas. It's pretty much true. Cowboys, cows, and the occasional goat. A specific, definable, culture. One aspect was leather. Through my life, I've stood and stared at gun belts and holsters displayed at the Texas Ranger museum. Other influences was cowboys themselves. Leather and conchos are a poor man's jewelry. 

I've never made things to sell. I made/make them out of need. I've made holster after holster. Knife sheaths. Spur straps. Handcuff cases. Flash light holders...

 

Then life hits. Hits you hard. Taking you to some horribly dark places. Takes things from you and doesn't give them back. I speak of injury. 

 

Life is getting more difficult for me. My memory is slipping. I act like I'm still young. Thinking I'm not broke and can still do the things I did. Then one day, you have to come to terms. Stop lying to yourself, accept yourself, and most importantly. Love yourself.

I've gone from being able to knock out a project in two days. To needing an entire month to finish. I've kept and keep personal journals. I record my thoughts. And I still keep up the fight. I can still do it and do it strong. I have worth. It just takes me a hair longer. 

Leather craft is a passion. It's how I'll a leave a mark on this world. A little piece of myself that's still there. The key is perfect stitching. 

 

Thank You and Thanks for the website. I enjoy being here. 

 

God Bless.

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 05:08 PM by Beehive

[Mulesaw]

On 2/25/2025 at 6:06 PM, Beehive said:

I wanted to send this out to the internet. Call it the leather community or your pick. 

 

When I was a young Texas kid. Every stereotype that has been projected onto Texas. It's pretty much true. Cowboys, cows, and the occasional goat. A specific, definable, culture. One aspect was leather. Through my life, I've stood and stared at gun belts and holsters displayed at the Texas Ranger museum. Other influences was cowboys themselves. Leather and conchos are a poor man's jewelry. 

I've never made things to sell. I made/make them out of need. I've made holster after holster. Knife sheaths. Spur straps. Handcuff cases. Flash light holders...

 

Then life hits. Hits you hard. Taking you to some horribly dark places. Takes things from you and doesn't give them back. I speak of injury. 

 

Life is getting more difficult for me. My memory is slipping. I act like I'm still young. Thinking I'm not broke and can still do the things I did. Then one day, you have to come to terms. Stop lying to yourself, accept yourself, and most importantly. Love yourself.

I've gone from being able to knock out a project in two days. To needing an entire month to finish. I've kept and keep personal journals. I record my thoughts. And I still keep up the fight. I can still do it and do it strong. I have worth. It just takes me a hair longer. 

Leather craft is a passion. It's how I'll a leave a mark on this world. A little piece of myself that's still there. The key is perfect stitching. 

 

Thank You and Thanks for the website. I enjoy being here. 

 

God Bless.

 

 

I think leather crafting is a great way to leave your mark on this world!

Some of the dearest things are those that have been made to us by others and gifted to us. I can't really explain the feeling of connection, but I think it is something with the fact that whoever made this or that did it with their own hands and thought of us while they were doing it. 

So if you make something no matter how long it takes, and give it to either a friend or a family member, those items will bring back memories whenever used.

It is good to have you here.

Jonas

 

[bruce johnson]

Beehive,

     Thank you for that heartfelt post. I have been on this forum since the beginning and your comments bring it home why we are here - community. 

I have been there brother. I have been in dark spots and leather pulled me through financially and emotionally. I get some of what you are saying and things worked out and changed. I recently bought the estate tools of a saddle maker. He had bought a few tools from me over the years and we would talk then about people we knew in common, what the latest project was, etc. His son sent me some pictures of his dad. One picture was the last day he worked in his shop. I have a blog post on my website about it. I hope he didn't know it was the last time he would work in his shop. When the time comes I hope I don't know either. 

We just got back from the Prescott Leather Show last weekend. A tool maker and I were talking - we could make the same amount of money staying home, but these are "our people". We feed off the energy and interaction. Rundi and I met several people that are world class leather workers and others you may never hear their name - they are all great to me. I truly wish I had more time at these shows. Some I knew before, I met some "legends" for the first time. I said good-bye to some that I may never see again. I go to the restaurant or hardware store in a town I've lived for over 40 years and might know one or two people. I go to leather shows or Facebook or here and know a lot more. These are my people, this is my tribe, and glad you are all a part of it. 

[Beehive]

Thank You to you both. I'm a military vet. I still have a few ghost that haunt me. I'm currently getting help as it's a never ending process. Just remember, someone in this world Loves you and cares about you. With the hardest part being, allowing them in. 

 

I sure have been eyeballing some Stingray. Wondering what a OTW holster would look like in Stingray. 

Edited Friday at 05:15 PM by Beehive