Ambassador leatheroo Posted July 28, 2009 Ambassador Report Posted July 28, 2009 (edited) Well, I am back from leather heaven! A full week of classes with the BEST tutors and students a person could wish for. A wonderful collection of great tutors…Peter Main, Joe Barth, Akiko Akada, Tony Laier and his wife, Merv Rowland just to name a few. My first class was with Merv, one of australia's best saddle makers. He taught me the finer points in hand stitching as well as a wonderful talk on the value of fine tools…his favourite expression in regards to badly made tools is "they're not worth spit!"…I will be using this expression for ever more. The next two days were spent with Peter Main…OMG..what a privilege to just see him work…I learnt sooooo much!!!!!! We worked on a carved filigree inlay belt…so many new techniques in just this one piece. The next day was spent learning turks heads and other knots…my head is still in a knot!!! Another two days with Peter, this time is was a covered and inlayed bracelet. We finished the bracelet early so we got to spend quite a few hours picking his brain on anything we could think of….. he had his wonderful album with him so we went through it asking "how do you do this?" his answers explained so many techniques and tips and tricks. In the evenings there were demonstrations and talks and long chats around the bar….did I mention lots of alcohol!!! I spent too much money….i came home with new skins and new tools. Peter brought a lot of Barry King tools with him that were bought up quickly, as well as his own blades, books and I also got one of his awls. All the tutors donated pieces of their work for the giant raffle that was drawn at the end of the week….each piece had a bag next to it…you put your tickets in the bag of the item you hoped to win…..i put 30 tickets in the handbag that joe barth had donated…..could you hear me scream when I won????...the poor elder gent next to me nearly had a heart attack!!! What a wonderful way to finish the week!!! There was also a wonderful display of the tutors and students work…so many wonderful pieces in one room….the inspiration from seeing all that great work will keep me in ideas for along time…. Thanks to Cherryl McIntyre and her helpers for organising such a wonderful event and all the wonderful tutors who shared their knowledge with us. The teachers Merv teaching hand stitching Akiko and student from Japan on party night Peter Main teaching The Joe Barth bag i won!!!! Me with my favorite teachers..joe and peter Some pictures from the display [a t tachment=28464:music_box.jpg] Edited July 28, 2009 by leatheroo Quote "]http://leatheroo.blogspot
Ambassador leatheroo Posted July 28, 2009 Author Ambassador Report Posted July 28, 2009 (edited) A couple more Edited July 28, 2009 by leatheroo Quote "]http://leatheroo.blogspot
Members tony Posted July 28, 2009 Members Report Posted July 28, 2009 hi - would any of these folk make a gigbag for my guitar thanks tony Well, I am back from leather heaven! A full week of classes with the BEST tutors and students a person could wish for. A wonderful collection of great tutors…Peter Main, Joe Barth, Akiko Akada, Tony Laier and his wife, Merv Rowland just to name a few.My first class was with Merv, one of australia's best saddle makers. He taught me the finer points in hand stitching as well as a wonderful talk on the value of fine tools…his favourite expression in regards to badly made tools is "they're not worth spit!"…I will be using this expression for ever more. The next two days were spent with Peter Main…OMG..what a privilege to just see him work…I learnt sooooo much!!!!!! We worked on a carved filigree inlay belt…so many new techniques in just this one piece. The next day was spent learning turks heads and other knots…my head is still in a knot!!! Another two days with Peter, this time is was a covered and inlayed bracelet. We finished the bracelet early so we got to spend quite a few hours picking his brain on anything we could think of….. he had his wonderful album with him so we went through it asking "how do you do this?" his answers explained so many techniques and tips and tricks. In the evenings there were demonstrations and talks and long chats around the bar….did I mention lots of alcohol!!! I spent too much money….i came home with new skins and new tools. Peter brought a lot of Barry King tools with him that were bought up quickly, as well as his own blades, books and I also got one of his awls. All the tutors donated pieces of their work for the giant raffle that was drawn at the end of the week….each piece had a bag next to it…you put your tickets in the bag of the item you hoped to win…..i put 30 tickets in the handbag that joe barth had donated…..could you hear me scream when I won????...the poor elder gent next to me nearly had a heart attack!!! What a wonderful way to finish the week!!! There was also a wonderful display of the tutors and students work…so many wonderful pieces in one room….the inspiration from seeing all that great work will keep me in ideas for along time…. Thanks to Cherryl McIntyre and her helpers for organising such a wonderful event and all the wonderful tutors who shared their knowledge with us. The teachers Merv teaching hand stitching Akiko and student from Japan on party night Peter Main teaching The Joe Barth bag i won!!!! Me with my favorite teachers..joe and peter Some pictures from the display [a t tachment=28464:music_box.jpg] Quote
hidepounder Posted July 28, 2009 Report Posted July 28, 2009 Roo, Sounds like a fantastic time! I'm soooooo envious! Thanks for the photos they are great! Congratulations on the bag by the way. Bob Quote
Members CowboyDon Posted July 28, 2009 Members Report Posted July 28, 2009 Wow - Very nice writeup and great pics. That would be so inspirational - Lucky you! Quote Thank you, Cowboy Don @ Hard Life Leather "Save a horse - Ride a Motorcycle" Garland, Texas USA
Ambassador leatheroo Posted July 28, 2009 Author Ambassador Report Posted July 28, 2009 a couple more Quote "]http://leatheroo.blogspot
Members daviD A Morris Posted July 28, 2009 Members Report Posted July 28, 2009 (edited) Roo, Great write-up and photos, thanks. In the world of saddlers Merv Rowland does the best, and most consistent welted seams that I have ever seen anywhere, he could teach a lot of saddlers a thing or two! Just for those who may be wondering what a "welted seam" is: here is a photo of a Merv Rowland saddle. You can see the seams where the "smooth out" is joined to the Rough-out on the knee pad also where the seat jockey joins to the seat. Can you tell us who the other teachers in the photo are? Thanks dam Edited July 28, 2009 by daviD A Morris Quote Remember to drink the coffee not the edging dye!
Ambassador leatheroo Posted July 28, 2009 Author Ambassador Report Posted July 28, 2009 Thanks for showing a merv saddle...the other teachers were Loraine Tinniswood, Joy and John Tonkins, Bill Webb and Robert Witthahn. If you want to see the conference info, go to www.dimensionsinleather.com.....it is on every 2 years...i am already saving my pennies for the next one in 2011. Quote "]http://leatheroo.blogspot
King's X Posted July 28, 2009 Report Posted July 28, 2009 Roo: Great write up. Please share some tips when you get a chance to write them up. Thanks for sharing. Quote Greetings from Central Texas! The Grain Side Up blog #TheGrainSideUp
Members MickWoolnough Posted July 28, 2009 Members Report Posted July 28, 2009 Hey Roo glad to see you got home safe. yep a great time was had by all. and yeah we did hear a bit of a scream when you won Joe's bag. just think only 23 1/2 months till we do it again. im actually spending today finishing off my projects before i start back in the real world. take care mick Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.