I Wonder If I Can Do This?

[Art]

Even the true artists tend to pick a media and stick with it, you will occasionally see them branch out, but they always seem to come back. Some realize that they are not particularly good in some media and stay away from it. I am not an artist, I am a mechanic. I can draw things, but it always ends-up looking like a flowchart or a schematic. I can draw if I have to, but it looks like early cave man. However, If I see it, I can make it, and if you see enough stuff you can develop your own style of things. Start by making some pretty simple things, like some of Ian Atkinson's pattern kits from his Etsy site. These will give you the feel for making things and an idea if you want to continue it. When you get a little experience, and can determine good and bad ways of doing things, go to a high end store and look at the leather goods. The store personnel will probably try to help you but they kind of expect manly men to look carefully at construction as opposed to style. Get some style ideas, but check out the construction. Don't be surprised if they break every rule in the book, and also don't be surprised if you get the feeling that you can make a better bag than they do, because you usually can.

DO NOT QUIT. Anyone can become a good leatherworker, it is just a matter of how long you work at it, and having a good mentor. In today's world, leatherworker.net is a pretty good mentor. There is more diversified experience here (in many other disciplines too) than in any school (if one existed) or shop. A question not asked is the only stupid question.

Art

[TZBrown]

All good and encouraging advice.

In Tinkers first post he noted the word "YET" We all start somewhere and hopefully improve our skills with every project

I'm not as good at it as others are YET, and may never be an artist, but I can appreciate how good others are, and enjoy the achievements as they happen for me.

[Heathj]

Thanks again to everyone that responded, it is making me see that leather working is something I can do!