hobbihorse Report post Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) I'm a country girl from California! I grew up in a rural community, and my first exposure to leather tooling was admiring the leathercraft projects created by my 4-H "horse project" leader. The beautiful things he made seemed magical. I never dreamed it was something I could ever do myself. Forward clock 45 years (give or take), and I was still admiring tooled leather. I purchased a gorgeous vintage tooled purse at a thrift store, and hung it on my wall as artwork so I could admire it daily. For my 53rd birthday, my hubby bought me a beginners Tandy leathercraft kit, and I haven't stopped tooling since. As I mentioned in my profile, he claims that gift turned out to be the most expensive present ever, cause I wanna spend lotsa $$ for tools, stamps, leather, and other pricey supplies (U know what I mean!!) . The first year I just made stuff for friends and family as gifts cause I didn't think anyone would want to buy my stuff. After nearly 15 months of experience under my belt, they are now making requests! Hubby says (and rightfully so) I have to start recuping my expensenses! I think that is a hard transition, cause I still fight the feeling that I'm not good enough to sell my work. Any advice from fellow LWN members about how to deal with such feelings would be appreciated. I posted some of my first year projects on my profile gallery. I think this is the link: http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=gallery&user=43733. Edited November 6, 2014 by hobbihorse Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tramps Leatherworking Report post Posted November 6, 2014 Welcome to the forum! Remember --- Vincent van Gogh never sold a painting while he was alive --- beauty is in the eye of the beholder... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted November 7, 2014 Thanks Tramp. Van Gogh sold one painting in his lifetime...named the Red Vineyard at Arles...but your point is well taken! BTW, what is your ride? Besides the 4-legged kind, my other horse is a 2000 Harley Road.Glide with killer flames on the fairing, tank and fenders. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tramps Leatherworking Report post Posted November 7, 2014 2012 Heritage... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruce johnson Report post Posted November 7, 2014 If you ever get over the Altamont, I'm in Oakdale and you'd sure be welcome to stop by. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Bruce Johnson - OMG I found your webste when I first started leatherwork, and so admire your work! We keep our horse (recently had to put our 2nd horse down) at Basso's Areana in North Livermore off Vasco Rd, and I work at the Livermore VA. I'd LUV to take a road trip to see your shop. My "shop" is where our kitchen table used to be. The table was replaced with a big vintage desk. Fortunately my family is very supportive of my leatherwork. Hubby Mike drives me to Tandy in Union City every Saturday for classes, and he tolerates my leather overflowing into the dining room. Early on I bought the 3 editions of Al Stolhmans Encyclopedia of Saddlemaking at Tandy, and a saddle pattern on ebay... eager for the day when I have the experience and confidence to make one! Tramp - Cool ride. What kind of MC accessories do you make? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 8, 2014 Welcome hobbihorse, i too am new to the forum as well as being new to leatherwork,exciting times ahead for me i hope. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted November 10, 2014 Thanks Jazzman...same to you! When are you gunna post some pics? I'd luv to see some of your work! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JAZZMAN Report post Posted November 10, 2014 Hi hobbihorse, i am not able to post pics yet for two reasons, one i have not even finished my first project yet(i really am brand shiny new) and second i am such a dinasor i do not think i would know how to do it anyway, i promise i will try though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted November 13, 2014 (edited) Jazzman, Let us know when you finish your first project. You're at the right place to get help!! Edited November 13, 2014 by hobbihorse Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoriF Report post Posted December 4, 2014 I like your flasks Hobbihorse, where do you get the blanks in different sizes? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted December 4, 2014 (edited) Hi Lori, I measured the height and circumference of the flasks and used that measurement to cut the leather, then trimmed it up to fit. If I cut to short to join the edges in back, I would cut a strip of leather and stitch both sides to fill in the gap (like I did on the back of one of my pictured flaskes http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=gallery&user=43733 with the name "Rose" down the strip). Edited December 4, 2014 by hobbihorse Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoriF Report post Posted December 4, 2014 That's a great idea for coming up short! I bought a couple of flasks to practice on from walmart, but the size looks different from yours, would you mind sharing where you bought yours? I like the small size particularly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted December 6, 2014 HaHa...I got my 6oz flasks from Walmart as well. I purchased the 4oz flasks that are also pictured on ebay, though I don't remember the vendor. They cost a little more than the Walmart flasks, but are a better quality. There are several venders to choose from. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoriF Report post Posted December 8, 2014 Thanks, I'll check it out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted December 12, 2014 In my town's Walmart, I found the 6oz flasks hanging on a merchandizing strip down the alcohol aisle. Very inexpensive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoriF Report post Posted December 14, 2014 Thanks for reminding me where they're at, it was a long time ago that I bought it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted December 15, 2014 Hi Hobbihorse, --------------------------- Welcome to leatherworking (sorta I guess)? 15-mos Welcome to Leather worker.net, the best leather site anywhere. You have a really nice collection of a variety of works, all very nice Congratulations ! Yeah your good enough, and I can see you re-couping pretty fast too. I am a Ca transplant fron the SFV . So I say keep on kreeping on ------- Wild Bill46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted December 16, 2014 Thanks Wild Bill. Although I'm native Californian, I lived for almost two years in Columbus, Georgia as a kid. I have such fold memories of that time! Just loved it!! I see you're interested in motorcycles...me too. I have a Road Glide. Do you ride?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted December 16, 2014 Yes, We ride a Heritage and love it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoriF Report post Posted December 17, 2014 How funny, I'm from SFV and am transplanted in Maine Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted December 17, 2014 Wow Lori...You've been transplanted from one extreme end of the country to the other...West Coast to East Coast! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted December 18, 2014 Lori Well, Hello, from S.F.V. via Georgia, . Funny how the gypsy in many of us from the good ole USof A get around. I was born in Glendale, raised in N.Hollywood. While in the Military I met my wife here in Georgia We married here, and I've been here ever since. Home only to visit with family and friends, holidays. Oh, and for more CUPID'S hot dogs. LoL ---------------------------- Wild Bill46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbihorse Report post Posted December 19, 2014 (edited) Hi Wild Bill, you say you met your wife while in the military. Where you stationed at Ft Benning? My dad was a contractor there when I was a kid. Edited December 19, 2014 by hobbihorse Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted December 19, 2014 Hi Hobbihorse ________________ Sorry ! I was stationed @ Ft. McClellan, in Anniston, Alabama. about 75 miles from here, However, our Uncle took his Paratrooper training there. Wild Bill46 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
