I'm A Much Better Wood Worker Than Leather Crafter. Self Annoyance.

[Tallbald]

As the title says, I've come to the conclusion that I'm never going to be as advanced a leather crafter as I am a wood worker. There's not enough time and lack of success hits me harder than it once did. Please allow me to whine and wallow in self pity here a bit (grin...sorta). I started working with wood as a child, using scraps from my uncle George's bin to make toys and such at age eight. My imagination could carry me anywhere I wanted with wood as a media. As a young adult I started seriously studying the art of the craft, building simple but rugged furniture and household accessories for self, family, friends and even for sale. I progressed into my early forties when I began to teach myself wood turning. Truthfully I became rather successful, creating turned wood, metal jointed sculptures that sold through art galleries within 150 miles of my home, and that won some juried art exihibitions. I paid for almost all my shop tools and such with proceeds from sales and prizes. In the process of learning to craft wood, I admit to many mistakes. Projects that didn't turn out with the quality I sought were scrapped and parts recycled. Or simply burned non-ceremonially. All this over the course of 47 years until I reached a point that I was good at it and became rather bored with repetitive success.

Now here I am a budding leather worker. At the three year point of learning (earlier this year), I had taught myself with web forum help to design holsters, and execute them with a modicum of beauty and professionalism. Man of us relish praise for whatever reasons, and I was encouraged by family and friends praise for my work. I had a very modest collection of tools and techniques I used repeatedly to ply my new hobby. Sadly, spinal injury, a knee replacement and progressive arthritis quickly took their toll and I reached a point that I couldn't any longer set long enough to saddle stitch more than several inches. With great anticipation and family encouragement I bought a beautiful sewing machine, foolishly thinking I could work magic overnight. I was and remain wrong and I am childishly irritated with myself.

Yesterday I "finished" my first full flap holster for my CZ75B 9MM handgun. I designed a simple three piece pattern, and used my beautiful sewing machine to sew it. I did vary my sequence of assembly and vinegaroon dyed the leather before assembly, thinking that it would help simplify my project. As I moved forward in the project I retained enthusiasm for what I hoped the end result would be. But as I continued, new troubles continued to pop up as they did so long ago when I was learning to craft wood. The external square for the button stud I cemented in place moved as I sewed and is not square to the front edge of the holster bucket. The stitch line on the cemented belt loop strayed and was glaringly obvious as it was white on black. Somehow while sewing the main seam, a backstitch wadded nastily on the back of the holster. The final straw was when the folded front outer surface of the holster began to show cracks in the right light, despite the care and attention I devoted in assembly.

I didn't show my loving wife the final product. In frustration and disgust with myself I simply took the holster to our garage and stuffed it into a cardboard on a shelf with other unsuccessful projects. Good leather and good components essentially wasted except the the learning that resulted I think. At 56 though I won't have 47 years to get good. I guess I will just satisfy myself with so-so results while striving for better ones as I go along. I'm not giving up folks but I'm having to re-focus while admiring all the stunningly beautiful things you all create and share photos of. Looking at the things you folks post photos of here is to me like browsing an art gallery! Thanks for everything you folks share with and do for the newer leather crafters who like I do, stumbling along the way. Don.

[electrathon]

I also have a box of screw ups. As Chan Geer teaches, they are happy learning experiences. With time, you will make less. Being unhappy about them teaches you to be better.

Aaron

[camano ridge]

Tall, the important thing is that since you won't have 47 years to become as proficient with leather working as you did wood working you won't get bored with leather like you did wood.

The big question is did you learn what went wrong and do you know how to fix it so it won't happen again. We all have junk holsters that did not turn out the way we wanted because Murphy stepped in or the shop elves got a hold of it when we were'nt looking or what ever. You said your self you had occasional fails in woodworking. Hen you get done beating yourself up over it. If you need help figuring out what went wrong show us a picture of the holster maybe we can help. If you have it figured out make a new one and show us both holsters and tell us how you overcame the problems maybe some of us can learn something from you. Like they say the most important thing is to get back on the horse.

[papaw]

I to am trying to learn the art of leather work. After 3 back surgeries and arthritis in both hands, the pain at time is bad enough you just have to walk away to start again later, and being in my 60s this is something that I love to do gives me a peace of mind. I know I'll never be as good as I once could have been but I am as good as I can be. One more into the educational bin, but after 8 months still having fun learning and keeping the little pea moving around in the old hat rack. Just remember everyone will have good bad and ugly days (pieces). Have Fun , Enjoy , Life is to Short , we all have had goals, some reached others we are searching for keep looking and you will never fail.

[Tallbald]

Thanks all for the understanding. papaw I like the "educational bin" comment. Gave me a grin. Later all. DOn.