Long Overdue Introduction!

[Tinneal]

Hello everyone! I made my account here many months ago... But I never really looked around as much as I wanted to. My summer work at a grain elevator ended, and my University classes don't start for another 5 weeks. So, I'm armed with a stack of Al Stohlman leather books, a ton of leather and supplies, and I'll be working away at some projects for the next few weeks! A second tool belt for my boyfriend, a wallet for my friend, and a knitting bag - although I don't know who it will be for yet.

Anyways, a bit about me: I'm 23. I got into leather work many years ago when I started apprenticing at a shoe/tack shop. I spent the first month polishing cowboy boots by hand. After paying my dues there, I began cleaning tack, then moved up to small repairs, and eventually started doing custom work. After working there for almost 2 years, my boss retired. I bought his supplies off him, but sadly was not able to get his machinery. The next summer I became a live-in nanny for a family, and set up shop in a corner of their garage. It became my store, and I had regular customers coming in, having coffee, telling stories, just like old times. Once I started university, I moved into the city and have since turned the spare bedroom into my shop. I'm limited to what I can do, as I'm sure my neighbours wouldn't appreciate me pounding on my anvil and such... But I'm getting creative with what I do, and taking more time to read and study my books.

So, for the next few weeks, I'll be on these forums as much as I can, learning all I can.

Oh, and if you'd like to see a small sample of my leather work (and possibly even 'like' it), I've created a portfolio of it HERE.

See you soon!!

[Ferg]

Welcome to the forum.

Your work is what I like to look at. You have the touch and do beautiful work, you should be proud.

ferg

  On 8/20/2011 at 9:44 PM, Tinneal said:

Hello everyone! I made my account here many months ago... But I never really looked around as much as I wanted to. My summer work at a grain elevator ended, and my University classes don't start for another 5 weeks. So, I'm armed with a stack of Al Stohlman leather books, a ton of leather and supplies, and I'll be working away at some projects for the next few weeks! A second tool belt for my boyfriend, a wallet for my friend, and a knitting bag - although I don't know who it will be for yet.

Anyways, a bit about me: I'm 23. I got into leather work many years ago when I started apprenticing at a shoe/tack shop. I spent the first month polishing cowboy boots by hand. After paying my dues there, I began cleaning tack, then moved up to small repairs, and eventually started doing custom work. After working there for almost 2 years, my boss retired. I bought his supplies off him, but sadly was not able to get his machinery. The next summer I became a live-in nanny for a family, and set up shop in a corner of their garage. It became my store, and I had regular customers coming in, having coffee, telling stories, just like old times. Once I started university, I moved into the city and have since turned the spare bedroom into my shop. I'm limited to what I can do, as I'm sure my neighbours wouldn't appreciate me pounding on my anvil and such... But I'm getting creative with what I do, and taking more time to read and study my books.

So, for the next few weeks, I'll be on these forums as much as I can, learning all I can.

Oh, and if you'd like to see a small sample of my leather work (and possibly even 'like' it), I've created a portfolio of it HERE.

See you soon!!

[Phatdaddy]

Welcome! I like your projects - I too make a lot of practical items!!

[Tinneal]

  On 8/21/2011 at 12:08 AM, Phatdaddy said:

Welcome! I like your projects - I too make a lot of practical items!!

Practical items are the most satisfying to make. When I see people enjoying and using things I've made, it makes me very happy.

[King's X]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for sharing.....you have some nice stuff!

[Tinneal]

  On 8/24/2011 at 6:54 PM, King said:

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for sharing.....you have some nice stuff!

Thank you! I'm still learning, and I've already found a ton of useful information here.