OrchidNoir Report post Posted May 25, 2011 Been outta tooling for way too long and feeling the need to get into it again, but 15 years out of it and I feel like a noob all over again. Still trying to remember/find the "before you touch that tool to the hide" leather prep before jumping in. lol Lost all the tools long ago, lost the man who raised me in it, and lost the passion with those losses, could even make it through the door of a leather shop without feeling the loss of him. The passion has returned with a painful vengeance, and so I'm rooting around getting my confidence back under me so I can pick up the mallet again. Never gave up the leather totally, just couldn't bring myself to do the tooling leather and workbench, still did plenty of small soft leather projects (mostly small bags and garment work). So, here I am, getting a bench together, getting back in that saddle, ready to try to honor his memory through growing in what he taught me, and a husband and child of my own both wanting to learn it, too. So expect to see me around the forums, I expect to become quite the regular. This is the man who guided me in leather tooling growing up, back long before there was any thought I might one day exist: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southtexas Report post Posted May 26, 2011 Been outta tooling for way too long and feeling the need to get into it again, but 15 years out of it and I feel like a noob all over again. Still trying to remember/find the "before you touch that tool to the hide" leather prep before jumping in. lol Lost all the tools long ago, lost the man who raised me in it, and lost the passion with those losses, could even make it through the door of a leather shop without feeling the loss of him. The passion has returned with a painful vengeance, and so I'm rooting around getting my confidence back under me so I can pick up the mallet again. Never gave up the leather totally, just couldn't bring myself to do the tooling leather and workbench, still did plenty of small soft leather projects (mostly small bags and garment work). So, here I am, getting a bench together, getting back in that saddle, ready to try to honor his memory through growing in what he taught me, and a husband and child of my own both wanting to learn it, too. So expect to see me around the forums, I expect to become quite the regular. This is the man who guided me in leather tooling growing up, back long before there was any thought I might one day exist: Welcome to you and the family. Enjoy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nooj Report post Posted May 27, 2011 Hi there- Thank you for sharing a brief look into your personal leather journey; I especially enjoyed the photo. I hope you find lots of joy in sharing the passion you have for leatherwork with your family. See ya around! Nooj Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cyrex Report post Posted May 28, 2011 Welcome to Leatherworker OrchidNoir. Sounds like you have some pretty strong leathercrafting blood in your veins and you definitely have a great attitude to make it happen. Looking forward to seeing your work. Don't forget to take a pic of you and your family to carry on that tradition. =o] ~Rex Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OrchidNoir Report post Posted May 28, 2011 Warm thanks for the warm welcomes. Nooj, I was ecstatic when they both said they wanted to learn tooling when I reached the point of wanting/needing to get back into it. The other half has been picking up some things here and there as he has wanted things for LARP gaming and I told him that we could make them instead of buying them. The kiddo saw me testing a few tools when I went to get some basics again (I wanted to see if it was like riding a bike, and it seems to be so) and he got bit by the bug. lol Rex, we're going to have to take that photo once they both have some projects to include in it. And if I can be half the leathercrafter my grandfather was I'll be happy, if I can get to where he was he'll be smiling from the beyond, I know he's there beaming at the interest expressed by his great grandson (also a Rex, lol)... He always said he wanted the family tradition to continue, and now it will for at least another generation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
groovytech Report post Posted May 29, 2011 Grandaddy is already smiling down on you! Use the inspiration he gives you in your creative endeavors. Welcome!! You are where you need to be. Warm thanks for the warm welcomes. Nooj, I was ecstatic when they both said they wanted to learn tooling when I reached the point of wanting/needing to get back into it. The other half has been picking up some things here and there as he has wanted things for LARP gaming and I told him that we could make them instead of buying them. The kiddo saw me testing a few tools when I went to get some basics again (I wanted to see if it was like riding a bike, and it seems to be so) and he got bit by the bug. lol Rex, we're going to have to take that photo once they both have some projects to include in it. And if I can be half the leathercrafter my grandfather was I'll be happy, if I can get to where he was he'll be smiling from the beyond, I know he's there beaming at the interest expressed by his great grandson (also a Rex, lol)... He always said he wanted the family tradition to continue, and now it will for at least another generation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbob Report post Posted July 2, 2011 Open arms.....open mind and friendlyness.....that is the motto here..... Lay down ur worries and rest ur dauds....roll up ur sleeves and grabb that mallet......and who knows....the sound of ur tool may carry ao far that ur idel and herro will hear and see u back into the saddle..... I am all for it......go and have fun.... Greetings James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OrchidNoir Report post Posted July 6, 2011 Thank you James and groovytech. I actually got a few things done and, much to my glee, came out better than I was expecting after so long out of it. (I had prepared myself for middle school summer camp project level work) It was some awards for a game I play, everyone was thrilled and I was able to judge what I need to work on. Some tooling, some painting, some antiqueing, chicago screws on the ones for belts and a some realizing that I don't have as much catching up as I feared and do still have some tools to buy before I can finish a piece to my satisfaction once I'm back in the swing of it. (I totally forgot to pick up edge finishing stuff... like any of it, so the pieces were just cut. lol) Photos will be forthcoming once things slow down a little. Just spending time at the bench playing with scraps working on remembering how to do some things now that those awards are done and awarded. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bentley Report post Posted August 4, 2011 Welcome, read your story and had to add a reply. Lost my closest friend that also just happened to enjoy leather a few years ago and went thru a similar stretch of putting it away for a while. Now the passion is back and enjoying it again, each time I sit down at the bench it brings back good memories of working and discussing projects with that friend. It is like riding a bicycle, maybe a little shaky at first but it all comes back quickly. Have fun and enjoy the forum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King's X Report post Posted August 4, 2011 Welcome to the forum! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capsterdog Report post Posted August 5, 2011 WelcomeOrchardNoir, I have only been here a little while but the people are GREAT here. They will help you with any question. I have had few myself being out of the leather bug for about 20 years. Everyone here is just super nice people. Great to see you here!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OrchidNoir Report post Posted August 5, 2011 Thank you bentley, King's X, and capsterdog. I haven't made it to posting more because I am still slowly working through and chewing on all the wonderful information here. Bentley, yes, very much so, and a lot of bike like remembering. I am a proponent of the search function in forii, and so far answers have presented themselves for me via that method, but I can say in all earnest that from what I've seen in my crawling that I have no fear of posting a question here that I can't find an answer for already posted. ;-) It is so rare to find a forum that doesn't require the donning of iron knickers in fear of posting a "stoopid" question anymore, this site is a breath of fresh air. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gorec Report post Posted August 6, 2011 Hello name Valerii,ai bed speak english,sorry ai speak ukrain,rasha. foto my job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LNLeather Report post Posted August 6, 2011 Yes , Welcome to Leatherworker OrchidNoir - Love your picture (you ? ) and really love the picture of grampa! That is Great! I am sorry to hear you dont still have his tools, that would have been mighty special... But I am sure he'd be proud to hear you are gettin back to the art of leatherworking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OrchidNoir Report post Posted August 8, 2011 Yes , Welcome to Leatherworker OrchidNoir - Love your picture (you ? ) and really love the picture of grampa! That is Great! I am sorry to hear you dont still have his tools, that would have been mighty special... But I am sure he'd be proud to hear you are gettin back to the art of leatherworking. Thank you :-) Yes, that is a picture of me, when I can keep my hair that purple I do, but they like to discontinue the color or the entire product line as soon as I find a product that works and is the right color. lol I love that photo of them, too, it makes any day instantly better to pull it up and look at it. The tools, well, I was angry for a long time over those, I was young, I grew up and realized that those tools would never compare to what he taught me with them, though, and finally let go of anything more than wistfully wishing I had them. If he could be proud of me for sticking to my guns on liking my hair purple and fighting the schools to keep it way back when (yup, the picture is much newer than that), as old school as he was, I like to think he's proud that I'm not letting anyone take the leather away from me, either. BTW, it's too hot to even work on my leather, so I am tending to , sorry. rofl I was here for the 80's heat wave, this one can be finished now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy P Report post Posted August 11, 2011 Welcome to the Forum. I know what you mean about losing someone and the leather spark getting low. On Christmas Eve 2008, my good friend and leather mentor passed away, we never got to meet in person, but we talked on the phone and emailed each other several times a week. Kind of hard to meet when I am in South Carolina and he was in Cal. I am just now getting some of the spark back to work on some stuff. It takes time, but hopefully you and me and the rest will get back to carry on this wonderful obsession of leather work we share. My God bless, and keep us all. Billy P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
