Lavendara Report post Posted August 24, 2013 Been going to craft stores all my life. Used to keep it simple with fuzzy posters and color pencil by numbers. My husband does jewelry and I've tried my hand at it, but I'm definitely not up to his level and it doesn't hold my interest. Began dream catchers for a store nearby, and was pretty decent at them, but have wanted to move on. Since I needed leather strips to wrap my dream catchers in, I've had to go by the rest of the items in the leather sections. I've been inexplicably drawn to the belts, but of course didn't dare try to start off with one. I ended up grabbing a couple of keychain kits and one tool (had a very small budget) and tried a couple designs. I found I really liked it, and want to keep practicing so I can upgrade to something else (possibly the knife sheaths or wallets) and eventually to the belts. Though I'd eventually like to try many other things as well, such as maybe the small purse pouches or some leather wrist cuffs or something. I'll be able to increase my tool set in a couple weeks, and I'm really looking forward to it! So far my designs have just been traced, and I didn't have any practice leather so the ones I have were my very first tries at putting a tool to leather. I still need to get stain and finish to complete them. I appreciate any input (even if it's "find another hobby"). I'm as nervous typing an introduction as I am making an in-person one, so sorry for that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mlapaglia Report post Posted August 25, 2013 Looks like you are on the way to being a leather worker. Very nice work. Keep it up. You will do fine. Ask all your questions and someone here will be able to help you. Good luck Michael Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lavendara Report post Posted August 26, 2013 Thank you very much! I'm excited to "actually" get started. I've been watching Tandy how-to videos almost all afternoon trying to narrow down what my next shopping trip will entail. I'll finally be able to go to the Tandy nearby, as well. I'm guessing I better set aside a couple hours to look around in there. After looking at all the different tools for things, my next budget isn't looking so wonderful anymore. So many things I eventually want to do but not a clue where to start!! I've also been browsing through the photo's on Leatherworker.net's FaceBook page. So many stunningly beautiful projects, and I'm amazed at how versatile leather working is. So much you can do with it!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benlilly1 Report post Posted August 26, 2013 Hi Lavendara, You could start off with a few stamps and get a swivel knife and at least a couple bevelers. You'll use them a lot! I use my B701 most of the time. You can make lots of designs with a few veiners too. Good Luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lavendara Report post Posted August 26, 2013 Thank you! I'm looking forward to the stamps. They look fun. Definitely much better than the simplistic things I've been doing. All I have is a tracing tool/modeling tool combo. The tracing tool hasn't helped me much, but I learned that in trying to not over wet my leather, I was most definitely not wetting enough. So I'll have to change that technique. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
