Where is everyone from?

[Warren]

Hey, everyone. I was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas and still live here. I am an 18 year veteran of the Lubbock Fire Department. By the way Randy, everyones likes firemen, but firemen love cops. You guys are always there when we need you, so THANKS!

[Duke]

I am 29 yrs old, and live in vancouver washington. done construction for a vast majority of my professional career. ran a pole building crew for 3 1/2 yrs. done cell tower intigration and optimization for a few years.I also run a horse rescue operation. got into doin leathercraft when I was at a tack auction and a saddle shop tool lot came up on the block. needless to say,the old man died and the kids didnt know what they had. paid about 250 for 1800 worth of leather craft goods. didnt quite know what I had either, but sat on it for 2 yrs, and played around with it a bit. while doing cell tower intigration boise idaho.....I found a tandy store. went in and found out that there was a tandy leather factory in portland oregon.job contract ended and I was on the hunt for a job. needless to say, I was perusing the net one night when I came across a job listing for the tandy in portland. went in,filled out an app and got hired that day. my boss gave me a basic tooling class, and was VERY impressed with my tooling. she told me that it seemed that I had a natural ability and an eye for detail and depth. I was even told that my first practice piece would be hung up on the wall and if I tried to remove it, I would get a stern reprimand. Ive come a long ways in the 6 months since I started, and have even taught a class or two.I have 2 kids, my boy is 6 and girl is 4. they both do leathercraft with me, and are always watching and learning. my son is in cub scouts and is irritated that you have to be a webelos scout before you get a leather craft badge.in my spare time(yea right) I ride horses, play on my jetski during the summer, and 4wheel my truck and ride my quad.I also fish for steelhead and practice close quarters combat with and without small arms. took 2 1/2 years in karate, an 1 year in martial arts. as I sit here, I read what I am typing and ask myself where I find time for all this!

[EagleSmith]

Y'all,

We are presently near Nashville, TN but are originally from NC. Smith was a plumber for many years but due to an injury had to chnage. He enjoys reading, leatherwork, and loves fishing, etc. I am into , creative writing, design, photography, (althought I don't exactly look like this when drumming...LOL...then again Smith said I looked like Pebbles the other day when I tried to put my short hair up in a hairband on the top of my head soooo...) and now leatherwork...LOL...I guess God wasn't kidding when He said "and two shall become one" huh :D We've been together for 30 yrs. and are still in . Have one daughter/SIL and a couple "grandpuppies"...Anyway, Smith is having a great time with this new found craft and I'm happy for him and enjoying it with him. The most important thing we've learned over the past couple years is :scared: because God always has a plan B . Having been a person used to working everyday and then suddenly not being able to do what you know has been quite a challenge and picking up the leather again (he used to do some braiding in his 20's but didn't pursue it) has put a new spark in his eye. So, we'll just see where this wave takes us....I know it'll be good!

[Pip]

I am from the uk near liverpool, on the other side of the mersey. So finding suppliers locally aint easy. I work in forestry, public side as a ranger, and as we are beset by problem youths with knives (not guns, yet!!) we love all the emergency services.

[tazzmann]

Hey Duke, I also live in Vancouver. Maybe we can get together sometime and pound some leather.

[BillB]

I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. I spent my summers in International Falls, Minnesota at a boys camp (Camp Kooch-i-ching) that my parents worked at (1950-2000) and where I learned to appreciate the Native American Culture (Yes I danced and play the flute) and my winters in Cincy. I married my High School Sweet Heart in 1970 and we are still happily married (38 Years in June). I spent 9 years in the Army Security Agency as a Cryptographer (I broke the bad guys cypher). It was while I was in the Army that I picked up leather carving from my Grandfather. After the Army, I worked in private industry (TRW, HRB SINGER) for 10 years, then was asked to come back into Government Service as a Computer Scientist at the Naval Research Lab. I worked for them for 15 years and now I am a Senior Scientist for the US Air Force. I work at the National Reconnaissance Office building "Spy Satellites". I will retire in 35 months and move to Mid-Western Minnesota (Underwood, just east of Fergus Falls, 1 hour Southeast of Fargo, North Dakota). We have 1 acre on Norway Lake and plan to build a rancher with full basement (shop will go there). We have two children and 5 grandkids, the youngest live in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota) with our Son and his wife. Our Daughter, husband and three grandkids are in the process of moving to Orange, Massachusetts.

In addition to leather work, I have in the past done woodworking (repairing antiques), wood turning (I have an old cast iron, leather belt drive lathe), clock repair and antique car restoration (1959 Triumph TR3A). After retirement, I plan to get as far away from my current occupation as I can and go back to leather working and other Indian Crafts.

PS. I have been a Motorcycle Rider since 1972 and currently ride an HD Road Glide fixed up as an Ultra. To all those Police Officers and Firemen as well as Teachers, Nurses, etc. I take my hat off to you. You are what make this country great.

[Jordan]

Originally from SoCal Pasadena/Altadena/Sierra Madre/Hacienda Heights/Covina. Moved to Utah about 11 years ago to get the kids out of the crime before they got to jr. high. Seems to have worked out pretty well for them, but now the wife and I are looking to move to Sonoita/Elgin area of Arizona we have made a 5 year plan and want to build a self sufficient solar powered strawbale house and be nice and warm for a change. The season changes are nice here but the old aching bones just can't deal anymore.

[yaklady]

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

I'll take your herd of feral mini horses! One just isn't enough for me, and that's what I'm down to. Are the great danes bigger than they are?

Kathy

[Drac]

jordan

try http://oikos.com/esb/34/greenblock.html instead of strawbale. put 'em together like legos then pour concrete or whatever into 'em. great rating and green.

[Jordan]

Thanks for the link, I had read about that system but concrete takes alot of energy to mfg. compared to stuff like adobe or rammed earth. I recently got a dvd called building with awareness, is very informative and well done. Our move is aways off so there is lots of time for research, half the fun ya know.