I'm The New Guy

[Mike516]

Hello.

I've been lurking on your forums for the last few days looking around and thought I'd better say hi before someone called the authorities.

I've always wanted to learn about leather working but have never really had the time to devote to it, so I kept putting it on the back burner.

As it turns out, I'll be leaving my current job soon, so I'll finally be able try my hand at something new and I'm really excited to give this a shot finally.

I have less experience than the guy who ties his shoes as my laces are nylon or something.

So, I must say, some of the stuff you all make are really pieces of art. Which I guess leads me to my first noob question. I don't expect to be making anything that I'd want anyone to see for a while and I'll probably be able to replace my nylon shoe laces with any strips of leather that survive my butchering, but I have a glaring limitation...I don't have very much artistic ability. I can't carry a tune either, so I figured maybe leather working would be slightly more forgiving since no one would really know if i suck at it.

I'm interested in doing a little cutting, carving and stamping to start with. I have a book and plan to take some basic classes. How much artistic ability do you need to be able to produce anything even slightly nice?

This is a very nice website and I'm having a lot of fun looking around. So much to take in.

Thanks if you read up to this point for not giving up on my long winded post

[Cobra Steve]

Hello.

I've been lurking on your forums for the last few days looking around and thought I'd better say hi before someone called the authorities.

I've always wanted to learn about leather working but have never really had the time to devote to it, so I kept putting it on the back burner.

As it turns out, I'll be leaving my current job soon, so I'll finally be able try my hand at something new and I'm really excited to give this a shot finally.

I have less experience than the guy who ties his shoes as my laces are nylon or something.

So, I must say, some of the stuff you all make are really pieces of art. Which I guess leads me to my first noob question. I don't expect to be making anything that I'd want anyone to see for a while and I'll probably be able to replace my nylon shoe laces with any strips of leather that survive my butchering, but I have a glaring limitation...I don't have very much artistic ability. I can't carry a tune either, so I figured maybe leather working would be slightly more forgiving since no one would really know if i suck at it.

I'm interested in doing a little cutting, carving and stamping to start with. I have a book and plan to take some basic classes. How much artistic ability do you need to be able to produce anything even slightly nice?

This is a very nice website and I'm having a lot of fun looking around. So much to take in.

Thanks if you read up to this point for not giving up on my long winded post

HI Mike516. I finally finished reading your post(ha ha)! Glad you are here, and thank you for joining LW. Steve