How Do You Find Your Groove?

[Tgrlily]

I'm trying to find my groove too. I tried tooling first off and it really doesn't look like that will be it! Then I made a mask-wrong, of course, but watched tutorials and had another go at it. Amazing! I did it! Then I made a really simple ammo box style purse with copper hardware that I also made. I brought it to work and got 4 orders for it! Yay! Unfortunately, stitching is painful! And I get bored making the same thing over and over. So today I took some time off from the purses and made some really cool blindfolds in the same sculpted style as the masks. I'm on a roll with them... 2 are done, 1 is half airbrushed and just designed and cut out 2 more. I'm thinking the masks/blindfolds may well be my groove.

[immiketoo]

Your stories are all interesting! I have a full time job as well. I'm trying to find what I love (So far, all of it) , but I want to be able to do ANYTHING with leather. Cowboy boots or shoes is high on my list, as is learning to lace/braid. There's just so many things that are fascinating, and many of them seem to cross over each other. This forum is both bad AND good because I get to see all kinds of work and I want to try them all. I am thankful for the friendships I have made here and the knowledge I have gained. Its really amazing and humbling to have conversations with people I admire, and to have them encourage me and compliment the work I've already done.

I have said it before, this community is the most friendly and helpful of all the ones I have belonged to. There are no trolls, and everyone seems genuinely helpful. So, while I haven't perfected anything yet, I feel like I HAVE to keep experimenting with other things.

[Cyberthrasher]

Your stories are all interesting! I have a full time job as well. I'm trying to find what I love (So far, all of it) , but I want to be able to do ANYTHING with leather. Cowboy boots or shoes is high on my list, as is learning to lace/braid. There's just so many things that are fascinating....

I find myself wanting to a lot of varying things as well, but then I end up reminding myself that it will all come in time. Find what you want to do the most of and get good at it, then as time permits venture into other arenas. I recently found myself wanting to venture past the basic edge lacing that's in "how to lace leather" and got a couple of books by Bruce Grant on the subject. Both are great and will help me add little bits and pieces to my work without a huge modification in the style that makes me "me".

[CSMcK]

I got into leather because taking up riding got me into saddles and tack. Right now that's extending to an interest in harness. That being said, my first paying commission was to rebuild a rather complicated cartridge-belt guitar strap. Now I know I don't want to get into guitar straps. People who see my own tack are starting to ask me to do work for them - although horses are very popular around here, aparently there is a shortage of saddlers and leather-worlkers. Now I just need a big enough commission to convince my wife I really do need that heavy leather stitcher.

So far I've had little interest in tooling, but I'm starting to think I should try it for fancier headstalls. Rather than dfeciding to do leather work, and searching for my groove, I think the groove just found me. My risk is developing too many interests in too many things.

[immiketoo]

I got into leather because taking up riding got me into saddles and tack. Right now that's extending to an interest in harness. That being said, my first paying commission was to rebuild a rather complicated cartridge-belt guitar strap. Now I know I don't want to get into guitar straps. People who see my own tack are starting to ask me to do work for them - although horses are very popular around here, aparently there is a shortage of saddlers and leather-worlkers. Now I just need a big enough commission to convince my wife I really do need that heavy leather stitcher.

So far I've had little interest in tooling, but I'm starting to think I should try it for fancier headstalls. Rather than dfeciding to do leather work, and searching for my groove, I think the groove just found me. My risk is developing too many interests in too many things.

This is my problem too. I just love everything I've done so far. There is NO need for tack here in suburban Chicago so I suppose need is dictated by the areas we live in. PLus, I wouldn't have the foggiest on where to start. Except that I can identify a horse!

[Spinner]

I started out by wanting a custom seat for my motorcycle. Hand made the pan, padding and seat and enjoyed the whole process so I started dabbling. I have an art background so the drawing/carving/tooling of designs came easy and it was a matter of figuring out how to manipulate the tools correctly. Early on I just did whatever came along and bid on pretty much everything in the new Etsy custom request area. Made a few wallets, dog leashes, etc. but nothing really felt right. One day I decided to make a simple tank bib for my wife's bike and while working had an inspirational moment regarding the side covers on my bike. A couple of weeks later I posted them on the bike forum I was on constantly and orders started rolling. About 6 months later, the guy who originated the whaletail tank bib design for my bike and a few others posted that he was retiring. Seeing an opportunity, I spent the next couple of weeks figuring out how to make them and posted my own designs. Bought a handful of popular gas tanks (a few = current count of 13). Haven't seen a day without an order to work on since. A corporate relationship that developed in the last year is now pushing me towards rear fender bibs as a main item, which is fine with me. I've made a few bags and enjoyed it but haven't found the right market for it yet but it gives me something to work on for the future.

[immiketoo]

That is AWESOME! Truly, that best way it seems is let the leather guide you.

[Sylvia]

While I believe in "Do one thing and do it well,"... I think it's good to stretch your skills. After the first of the year perhaps you can participate in some of the challenges.

I started leather work in Junior High. Did it for a couple years and then the death of my both my parents by the time I was 18 lead me down a path of self destruction for a while. I left leather alone for a long time, until about 6 years ago when I went half crazy and bought a bunch of tools and leather projects on Ebay. I "attempted" one small project and the others sat in a closet until about a year ago when my husband's belt broke and we had no money to buy him a new one. I dug out the belt blanks I had an did a simple border design. Then I re-did a wallet that the previous owner of the tools attempted. Then a checkbook case... and a dasher bag from the things I had. I was off an running. I found LW.net and have learned a lot.

Long story, shortened. I own several guitars. While in a chat with other guitarists.... someone asked me what I had been doing lately. I showed a picture of a practice piece and simply said. "I think I'm going to make myself a guitar strap." The next thing I new I had an order for a guitar strap. Eureka! lol I'm still doing guitar straps (and pick pouches) but still haven't made one for myself, yet. I think I am ready to branch out a little too.

So, I guess my advice is to look toward another hobby you may have your "focus" may lay in that field. For instance, an athlete might find a leather gym bag a good project. A bowler might want a leather bowling bag. An archery enthusiast, a quiver, etc.