Members OrchidNoir Posted May 25, 2011 Members Report 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 ”You must question a code of ethics that never impedes your progress.” ~Robert Brault "We don't have to wear a certain hat to take our own initiative, we're creative people, we can make things happen if we want them to." ~Orchid Noir
Members Southtexas Posted May 26, 2011 Members Report 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
Members Nooj Posted May 27, 2011 Members Report 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
Members Cyrex Posted May 28, 2011 Members Report 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 When it's you against the world.... bet on the world.
Members OrchidNoir Posted May 28, 2011 Author Members Report 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 ”You must question a code of ethics that never impedes your progress.” ~Robert Brault "We don't have to wear a certain hat to take our own initiative, we're creative people, we can make things happen if we want them to." ~Orchid Noir
Members groovytech Posted May 29, 2011 Members Report 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 Be Nice. Do Good. Have Fun.
Members Jimbob Posted July 2, 2011 Members Report 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 http://www.elfwood.com/~alien883 First it is just leather....then it is what-ever I can dream off...
Members OrchidNoir Posted July 6, 2011 Author Members Report 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 ”You must question a code of ethics that never impedes your progress.” ~Robert Brault "We don't have to wear a certain hat to take our own initiative, we're creative people, we can make things happen if we want them to." ~Orchid Noir
Members bentley Posted August 4, 2011 Members Report 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 Mark Bentley Leather Goods bentley.leather@gmail.com
King's X Posted August 4, 2011 Report Posted August 4, 2011 Welcome to the forum! Quote Greetings from Central Texas! The Grain Side Up blog #TheGrainSideUp
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