All the possible tools.. but no teacher :(

[MADMAX22]

If you wanna make guitar straps may I suggest ordering the leather crafters and saddlers journal jan/feb 2006. Its got a nice article from the guy that has greyghost graphics in there. That with stopping by a local music shop and taking a quick gander at there straps with some rough measurements and your all set.

I know when I wanted to do a rifle sling I scoured the internet and looked at pics and all kinds of stuff, wrote down the common sizes, and asked around here for help. Dave at DCknives gave me alot of pointers and got me going in the right direction. Only took about 3 or 4 fubared ones to get it going.

I dont know much about tack but as far as everything else try and get some books and such when you can. Al Stohlman's set of three books on case making is a phenominal resource of usefull info. As are his other series. I know money is tight but tandy has sales alot on these and if you look on amazon alot of times you can find them for half price or similer.

Ive just started ordering the leather crafters journal back issues and I really like them. Find a coupel of back orders and see which ones have articles you like and get one or two to try them out.

[Randy Cornelius]

You know there is a lot you can do by just reading books and watching video's. Subscribe to the Leathercraft and Saddlers Journal. They have articles in every issue that are geared to beginers as well as those with experiance. Subscribe to Shop Talk Magazine. They too have a wealth of knowledge that you will benifit from. Tandy has several videos by Tony Lair and Jim Linell that will be of use. Also Hidecrafter in Ft. Worth tx has several videos by George Hurst. I love George to death but his videos will put you to sleep so watch them after a good nights sleep ( If George sees this I am sorry!)but they also are a wealth of knowledge. He has several that will help you getting started. I never had videos when I was learning and I have since bought some of them for reference and to show to my students that I teach. They are well worth the money. I will PM you with some other thoughts.

Randy

Randy

I live in Canada actually, so I'm not even from the US. I live in Nova Scotia to be more specific in a little town called Truro. The closest tandy store is about a hour away from me and without a car it's difficult to get there. I'm a college student so with a horse to feed and school to pay for, traveling around the world is the last thing on my priority list, hehe. So learning through the web and books will have to do for now. It would be amazing if someone came to halifax to teach leather, I'd definatly take the trouble to go there to learn all that I could.

I don't really have a set future in what I want to do for schooling but I've been looking for a teacher. If I can find the right situation such as an apprenticeship program or something like that, I'd travel to do it and I know the people with money who love me would help Hehe Because they have enough belts and braclets to last them a lifetime and want more from me, and If I could find a school that taught leatherwork I'd be there already!!! We have a fine arts and master craft school called the Nova Scotia College of Arts and Design (NSCAD). They teach metalsmithing, jewelrafting, textiles, pottery, beadwork and everything imaginable... except leatherwork. (I have a small goal to go there and teach leatherworking someday as I have a good friend who's father teaches there )

I'd love to learn all I can and I guess just trying to make some things I see on here is a start.

Ideally.. I'd like to become a saddler someday. Making and fitting. People are so cruel to buy a saddle because it's cheap and think it fits their horse. No one knows what a real fit is and honestly, neither do I. I had a very well known coach come to make sure my saddle fit properly. (I'm talking english here but the western world is the same)

Anyway. I ramble alot. Haha