pavilionpony Report post Posted June 18, 2008 (edited) Hi everyone! I am sooooo excited to be here, you have no idea! I'll try to keep this as short as possible - My best friend and 'grandpa' Charlie taught me about leather work. He did it for fifty years and was an amazing and very talented man. He even made elephant harnesses for the elephants at the Detroit zoo....! I spent alot of time with him in his saddle shop making bridles, repairing saddles, carving and doing other leather things (plus of course taking time out for playing cribbage for a quarter a game, lol) during the past four years, but I have known him most of my life. Charlie passed away this past January at the age of 82; and I have been totally devasted and completley lost without him. Not just about leather - but he was my best friend. I have all of Charlies tools and have taken over his saddle and tack shop. I finally got cement poured in the back of my pole building for a shop and just started going through boxes. There is so much stuff. All kinds of weights of leather, buckles, snaps, mallets, etc. I am so fortunate to have gotten his leather things. But there are soooo many questions I have to ask, but cannot ask him anymore. Some questions may seem quite simple (or silly to many that have done this for a long time) - I just cannot remember everything he told me. I wish I would have written stuff down. I just know he;s up there doing this when I do some things. I was surfing the web yesterday and couldn't believe that I found this site. This is the best thing ever! I already have questions, so please if you could help me out on some stuff I would really, really appreciate it. Thank you all in advance! Cindy p.s. the picture is of Charlie when he was around 45 yrs. old. I have it and have hung it up out in the shop. I'll post pics of the stuff I have (still going through stuff) later. Edited June 18, 2008 by pavilionpony Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Regis Report post Posted June 18, 2008 Cindy, Welcome to this forum that is made up of great and helpful people. We all can not replace your loss but, will try to answer many of your questions. There are all skill levels here and NO question is too silly or simple. Glad to have you, Regis Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indypbear Report post Posted June 18, 2008 (edited) Cindy, Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you here and look forward to some of your work. Anything we can do to help is what were all about. Very few of the folks in this craft are "legends in there own minds". Those have an inflated ego and don't stay around long and live in their own little world. Charlie (Grandpa) will be there guiding your hand always and we'll be here to answer your questions. The only way to correct a mistake is to make it and identify the way to cover or make it work. Happy toolin', Indy Edited June 18, 2008 by indypbear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRLeather2 Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Hello from a fellow Michigander! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pavilionpony Report post Posted June 21, 2008 Thank you to all ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
custer Report post Posted June 23, 2008 Its ALWAYS nice to find another "girl leatherworker"!!!!! Be sure to post pics of your work, and pics of your shop so we can see how you've set up all your vintage tools. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pavilionpony Report post Posted June 23, 2008 Its ALWAYS nice to find another "girl leatherworker"!!!!! Be sure to post pics of your work, and pics of your shop so we can see how you've set up all your vintage tools. Yay custer! Thank you and vice versa! By the way, I LOVE the little chaps you did they are great! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gray Report post Posted June 27, 2008 From the looks of your posts here and your website, I believe you may have a few things to show some of us. Welcome from another Michigander! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CAFcue Report post Posted July 4, 2008 I'm from Michigan aswell. I build pool cues and soon want to start on leather pool cue cases. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
