Where is everyone from?

[yaklady]

The Colorado Rockies are my home. There's no place else for me. There's nothing better than to look out your window in the morning to see huge bull elk browsing in your front yard. With national forest out the back gate, I can ride my horse for miles without seeing a single soul. We have rock outcroppings wich offer spectacular veiws, babbling brooks and waterfalls, and scenery some people only see in pictures. Yes, there are mountain lions and bears and tons of snow, but they just add to the beauty. My yaks seem to like it, too.

Kathy

[wildrose]

I've been sitting back, reading posts for a while now, and this seems like the perfect subject to step in on. I seem to be located in the no-man's land of leathercraft. I'm in Bucks County, PA, Levittown to be exact. The nearest leather supply store( that I've found) is the Tandy in Allentown, 1 1/2 hours from me. I've tried to find people near me who do leatherwork, but so far, no luck. Anyone on this forum near me? Thanks for lettin' me vent.

I know where you are! I'm in Berks County - Hamburg to be exact, right down the hill from Cabelas. I also shop at the Allentown Tandy. I'd love to get together, but will unfortunately be moving OUT of the area next month...

[Timd]

Holly,

We spoke quite a while ago on another forum, and you are still the closest person I've found! I have your site in my favorites and check it from time to time. I was at Cabela's right before Christmas, spent most of the day just wandering around.It's a shame you're moving, bad timing, I guess. I'll still be checking your site, though.

[wildrose]

Ann McGrath, who isn't on this forum yet, is in Bethlehem, PA...not too far out of your way. They should have her contact info at the Allentown Tandy if you go sometime. She mostly does small items in leather, like jewelry. Also here in Hamburg is Dennis Yoder, who does amazing gunleather items.

[rawhide1]

Randyc

I must admit it is nice to get a five finger wave opposed to the one finger wave. My dad was a lawdog in Okla. when I was little and later a prison guard (corrections officer) here in Ks. so I know what ya mean. Take care Mike

[rgerbitz]

You might call it corn field county U.S.A. Here in North central Illinois. We live about 20 miles from any where that has more than a gas station and bar. Which most days doen't seem far enough. It is quiet, and the neighbors are friendly. We are near Tampico, Ill. Which is about 2 hours due west of Chicago, and 45 minutes from Iowa just to the north of I-80. I have enjoyed hereing and seeing where everyone else calls home. And if Horsehairbraider has a heated tack room I would be willing to rent it as a living space. Just kidding...maybe.

The pictures probably belong in the "What's out your window" thread, but I'll stickem here because I'm here.

Have a great day all,

Rob Gerbitz

[Billy P]

Hey everyone, just getting in on this thread. I live in beautiful downtown Patrick, S.C. pop. 350, I live 2 blocks off of the main street and have to drive a 30mi. round trip to go to the grocery store. If any of you watch Nascar I'm 30mi. from Darlington S.C. home of the old Southern 500, I'm about 45 mi. from Rockingham N.C. home of the Rock, and I'm about 75 mi. from Lowe's Motor Speedway home of the World 600. Mrytle Beach is about 95 mi SE of me, and that is where Jeff Mosby and Grey Ghost Graphics are located. The nearest Tandy is about 1 and 1/2 hour away in Charlotte N.C. I worked construction for years, mostly as a millwright in Nuclear Power Plants. I worked from north Fla. up to Penn. and as far west as Neb. I always seemed to come back here where I was born and raised. I don't know anyone else around here who does leatherwork, at least carving and tooling and stuff like we talk about doing. Northstar Leather Co. does a wholesale business to Disneyland and places like that plus they get stuff from some prison systems that have set up like a leather factory, to make small book covers, pocketbooks, ie. The owner's son comes in once in awhile and machine embosses some belts and then they will put a name or one of a few more stamps on it. Cheap leather and cheap belts, but they sell some right along. I'm not knocking their work, just saying that they don't do what a lot of us do. Steve, the owner has been doing this for about 30+ years, has raised a family and has kept about 8 to 10 people working steady all that time so I guess he's doing something right. I don't have a clicker so when I need key fobs and some other shapes I just call him and order a hundred or so and then I'll ride up and pick them up and Steve and I will shoot the breeze for an hour or so. I actually send him some customers along, mostly people who want a better belt than Wal-Mart, but who don't want to pay for a custom made one. Anyway I wish there were more people around here who worked with leather, as a bunch of you all know it gets lonesome sometimes, but I can't quit, I'm addicted. Working with leather is as addictive as Crack, just in a good way. I gotta go for now, so I'll catch ya'll later, Regards Billy P

[Kani]

Nice country. I drove thru Ill. once. I remember it being really flat and able to see for a long ways. I also remember the wind. Man it was wicked.

Richest soil I ever saw was in Ill. Lots of farm land there.

You might call it corn field county U.S.A. Here in North central Illinois. We live about 20 miles from any where that has more than a gas station and bar. Which most days doen't seem far enough. It is quiet, and the neighbors are friendly. We are near Tampico, Ill. Which is about 2 hours due west of Chicago, and 45 minutes from Iowa just to the north of I-80. I have enjoyed hereing and seeing where everyone else calls home. And if Horsehairbraider has a heated tack room I would be willing to rent it as a living space. Just kidding...maybe.

The pictures probably belong in the "What's out your window" thread, but I'll stickem here because I'm here.

Have a great day all,

Rob Gerbitz

[tazzmann]

Hello all, I am originally from Guthrie, Oklahoma and have been since transplanted into Vancouver, Washington. I spent 3 years in Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Japan while in the Air Force. Most of the three years was spent at Hahn AFB in Germany. I have a wife, a daughter and a son. The mother-in-law currently lives with us, but I hope that will be fixed soon.

When growing up, I lived on 40 acres which then got cut down to 5 thanks to the oil companies. I worked every summer at the Lazy E Ranch where I herded cattle.

I got into leather work when I was 14 years old. A friend of mine sat down one evening and showed me how to work in leather. He even gave me several large scraps to pound on. Later that week, he made the wallet that I still carry over 25 years later. Thus I like making wallets, belts and such. I don't do leather-working professionally, but I consider myself decent for only doing it part-time.

By day I am a software engineer (really fancy for computer programmer) and at night (when I have time) I pound on leather. My current projects include helping my son make his first wallet, making my wife a cell phone case & a day planner and making my sister a clutch purse. Speaking of which, I should get off here and get started, huh? tee hee

[JLD]

Hi,

I am another Australian. I come originally from Holland and would up now living in Kempsey, which is 1/2 way between Sydney & Brisbane,

We live on a property with 3 great danes, 2 cats, 2 toy poodles and 4 chihuahuas, about 20 big horses (quarter horse and appaloosa), which I am trying to do reining with and a herd of feral miniature horses (want one?)

I used to work in IT but am now retired (ha) and doing leather braiding and riding. I recently started an online equestrian supply site to sell my work and other horse equipment.

Have a look if interested http://www.horsemansshop.com.au

I am learning more about leatherwork so I can expand my skills and will oneday make a saddle (long term goal that one).

BTW Great forum and I am learning a lot

Johanne