G,day From Down Under

[rubymcnugget]

G,day guys

my name is kassie but all my friends call me ruby

I am 20 years old and

I live in Australia down under

And I have been interested in leather work since 2009

But I will like to learn more about it because for me it's just a much loved hobby of mine

So far I learnt all I knew on my own because the saddlers in my area never gave me a chance to show them how good I am

The reason is because I have ADHD and high functioning autism

And because of it I get pushed away or laughed at but I try my best to improve and I have since I first started I only just been to a traveling saddle making course and made this

It's a swinging fender saddle it's my pride and joy right now

And I want to learn more about saddles and leather it's something I love doing so here I am

I hope you guys don't mind me joining the forums

One things for sure is I'm going to try my best and make new friends and hopefully learn abit more if I can

Cheers from the girl from down under ruby

[Pounder]

Ruby

Welcome to the best leather site on the internet in my opinion. No one will laugh at you here, I promise. Your work is outstanding. I do not do saddles but have studied their construction and hope to one as good as your some day. It looks like you are well on your way to being an accomplished saddle maker and the chance to laugh at those nay sayers. Good luck, I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[rubymcnugget]

Thanks pounder I knew joining this forum was a good idear

Well I just discovered my talent of working with leather when I was 15 back in 2009 it all started with buying a bag of scrap leather from an old op shop and the first thing I made was a little barbie stock saddle of one of my toy horses then a few years ago my friend gave me this wooden box full of old leather and some tools he found in his shed since then I been add or making my own tools out of broken bits and pieces then I found this little book about bush craft and so far I have made toy horse saddles ,dog collars , done some deco on horse chest plates , brow bands ,a 5 pound stick bow and bamboo arrows a quiver , Laso , 3 meter stock 4 stran round plat stock whip , a mini harness set and a swinging fender saddle

Here's some of my tools and work for you guys to enjoy

First of are all of my tools

It's not much but I just make do with what I got or try and make my own

These are my stamps that I made from nails

I spent hours sitting there with a file just filing away at the nails till I was happy with what I had

The next is a knife I got in the box of tools and I haven't got a clue what it is but it's pretty good with cuting leather

My pop hasn't seen one since he's was a kid so it migth be rare but it's a handy knife to me

The wooden box that started it all now filled with my tools and very heavy lol

So that's my tools. And this is some of my work

That's just some of it oh this is my bow and quiver

And these are my dog collars

One

And two

http://i.imgur.com/PrEC1EW.png

One of the chestplates I did deco bling on lol

http://i.imgur.com/ZPJudo2.png

A very small horse shoe made for a toy horse

http://i.imgur.com/y0SCKGS.png

It's so tiny lol

More of my pride and joy my saddle

http://i.imgur.com/sWMYUbD.png

http://i.imgur.com/fm6LpRM.png

http://i.imgur.com/aUAR2tG.png

Lol and I can't forget my model for my stuff

My 18 year old Arabian

Abba girl

http://i.imgur.com/AZFPfzT.png

Sorry about the photo spam it's just I'm so excited to finely become apart of the leather community

Cheers ruby

[Northmount]

Welcome. I've always wanted to build a saddle (used to have a horse from about 1961 to 1966 and he was the reason I took up leather work, was going to fix up an old broken-down saddle). Not likely to do it though now. Too many other things and not enough time.

Great work you are doing. Keep it up.

Tom

[RavenAus]

G'day Ruby! What part of Oz are ya from? I'm in Brissie.

You have some great looking stuff there I love the nail tools!

My wife has ADHD and I've got Aspergers - it's a tough path but you look like you're doing great. Full speed ahead and hang the naysayers!

[rubymcnugget]

I live on the other side in victoria But I was born in brissy

That god I'm not

Alone when it comes to leather work and disabiltys

[Going South]

Hi Ruby, I don't know anything about saddles, but you have made that into a piece of art, great work!

[rubymcnugget]

Thanks guys I always loved saddles lets say its a big hobby of mine

It's kinda funny because I don't get excited about new tends and clothes Any thing like that I'm not interested well expect for bling I love bling. Lol any what dos get me excited is saddles I just walk into any tack room or saddle store and I'm like a kid in a candy store I'm able to rack of all the names of saddles and where there from or I just sit there feeling or smelling or just cleaning all the old saddles what can I say I love saddles and to me any tack room is a treasure filled room or saddle heaven XD

[Wild Bill46]

RUBY

Your welcome here anytime, come as many times as you please.

We all have to start somewhere..

I guess the lack of enthuseasm on those saddlers part, was because of their fear you will be outshine them ?

You have proven your worth. Your saddle is awesome !

We'll be looking forward to more of your awesome work.

[OdinUK]

Welcome to the forum. This is the best place that I have found to learn about leatherwork and most folk are happy to help with any questions.

[Tomo]

Hey Ruby

A disability is only a disability if you let it be. I have mild Cerebral Palsy and I've been a saddler here in NZ for over 40 years. Your enthusiasm will fuel your fire and keep you going. I was/am the same way. :D

[rubymcnugget]

Thanks guys I'm glad that I'm not alone any more Before I allways thinking that I was the olny one but now I feel like I'm not alone any more I migth give an update

Well with my saddle I've gone and made a soft sheep skin seat saver because when I made the saddle I didn't realise how hard the tree was on my thighs so yer much more comfy to ride in now ^_^

And I have blinged up the chest plate and bridle and made a wet mould pocket knife pouch and

threaded some high vis Ribbon into my stock whip that makes is glow when hit by a camera flash or car spot lights It's so epic now

Here are some photos

The bling chest plate

The knife pouch

The bridle

And the seat saver on my saddle

And the stock whip

In full light

With torch shine

And a camera flash

It's so epic

But late lately I haven't come on because I had no Internet but I will be on much more often and try and learn some more till then cheers ruby

Edited July 3, 2014 by rubymcnugget

[VanDutch]

Welcome Ruby.

Great to have another Auusie aboard. Excellent work on that saddle, looks fantastic... Enjoy this forum and make use of the enormous talent within.. Don't ever hold back on a question. Someone will have the answer..

cheers