How did you get into leather work?

[dmau]

Stitching wise that is project #1 on the left and project #2 on the right. I like Velcro on the strap for ease of release. I learned some things right there.

 

Edited May 21, 2019 by dmau
mislabeled both a left

[Randy Cornelius]

It was about 1973 or close to it, I had an art teacher in grade school that had a 6 week course on leather work. I got hooked, got a Tandy Leathercraft kit for Christmas that year. Over the years I have picked it up and laid it aside but whenever I needed a belt, wallet or something for the horse I got it back out. Got my first cell phone in about 1995 or so. That cheep holder that came with it would not do so I got out the tools and made one. Everyone saw it and wanted one. My business started there.

I was basically self taught, Just Al Stohlman and all the books and pattern packs I could afford. I got the internet in 1996 or so and found that there were others who did leather too. I learned from those I became friends with through the IILG and later this forum. Went to my first IFoLG show in 2005 and got hooked showing and then later as a judge. 

My son won the Ann Stohlman Youth Award in Leather Craft. 

I am retired now and basicly just work in my leather shop, It keeps me as busy as I want to be. About the time I get caught up the phone rings and I get busy again. My hobby has turned into an obsession 

As a side note I used to be on Leatherworker all the time and I have kind of drifted away but I plan on coming back and hanging around some more. Maybe just to lurk.

[Rockoboy]

12 hours ago, Randy Cornelius said:

I plan on coming back and hanging around some more.

That has to be the best news I have had all day. Its the old salts more accomplished and experienced people, that really make Leatherworker.net what it is. I hope you can be a part of, and contribute to, Leatherworker.net for many years to come

[cdthayer]

I got my start in 1965 when a SW Colorado rancher’s wife, Sara Masco, an excellent leather tooler, taught basic tooling leathercraft to a bunch of us 13-14yo knotheads in 4H.  She relied on Tandy kits for projects for beginners the first year, and let 2nd year students branch out from there.  I don’t remember my first project, but I recall vividly a belt that I made my second year.  It featured a very dramatic footprint storyline of a barefoot man walking in sand with a bear falling in behind him to later consume the man and walk off alone.  The judge at the County Fair made a special note on my entry card. “What happened? Did little brother spill dye on your belt?” (my red dye simulated blood).  Pffft, not much of a judge.  Hell, I don’t even have a brother.

No more leatherwork for years except repairing horse tack, and then I took up leather tooling again after 20 years in 1985 in Oklahoma.  With a wife and three children, I made belts, covered belt buckles, wallets, clutch purses, knife sheaths, and purses for my family and friends.  I tooled and laced most items.  Nowadays, three of the little belts that I made for my children have been converted into a paper towel holder in our kitchen.

I got to thinking that I was getting pretty good at leather work (I even made a belt for Country Singer Pake McEntire), so I consigned some things to a popular Westernwear Store near my home.  A few months later, I went and got it all and brought it home.  I still have most of it boxed up somewhere.

I’ve puttered with tooling leather a bit through the years, tooling and buckstitching electrical linemen climbing gear “gut straps” and making a few more laced checkbook covers and clutch purses.  Eventually, I quit tooling and got into wet-forming folding-knife sheaths and plier holsters that I sewed by hand with waxed thread.  Now that I have great leather sewing machines on hand, I haven’t gotten back into production at all, and use my machines to make repairs to mostly woven materials.  I use my machines for some leather mending, but ironically, hand-sewing or hand lacing has usually been the best method to repair leather items that have come through the door at my sewing shop.  Fake leather (yes?, no?, umm probably) purses are the exception.  I usually use a machine to mend them, whatever they’re made of.

I don’t see me getting back into production leatherworking for the public at all.  I still have all of my hand tools boxed up if I ever change my mind.  For now, I enjoy the challenge of mending someone else’s work, and besides, there’s more money in repairs, at least in my experience.  Your mileage may vary.

CD in Oklahoma

 

[MarkCdub]

On 4/16/2019 at 6:36 PM, Rolandranch said:

That's great that you enjoy leather work over video games. Most of my friends would rather play video games than making something. My family does not have a TV so everyone's usually busy making something. God certainly does provide. I'm very blessed to be able to do leather work! Congrats on graduating! I'm 17 so college is just around the corner. I'm probably going to get a degree in business and then go back to my many hobbies, including leather work, and be an entrepreneur. 

I've been watching your projects for quite some time (maybe since we both joined here around the same time if my memory is correct) but boy, you have had some talent since day 1 I remember seeing your projects.  You could easily supplement your college funding with your work.  Wallets, checkbooks, etc are relatively easy, quick and should sell quickly around campus.  They aren't too expensive for college folks amd make great presents for their moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles...  Assembly line type set up and crank those suckers out!

[MarkCdub]

My first completed project was a knife sheath for a small fixed blade gerber.  I think sheaths are first projects for many because they are not as intimidating as a wallet or gun holster and don't generally take as much leather.  My first project was a minimalist wallet/business card holder, 6 layers of 5 oz veg...  Talk about a brick!  

I made my current wallet out of 1-2 oz veg a year or 2 ago and haven't had much opportunity to create since then.  Job, family, family, etc take up all my time.  I also don't have a work bench and it was difficult to work on a small kitchen counter and waking up babies pounding stitching holes gets you in trouble quick!  Lol.  I recently built shelving in the garage and am in the process of organizing everything.  Once that is complete Ill be building a work bench for my hobby.

I love the craft and I really want to get proficient at making wallets, notebook covers, checkbooks, and anything that falls into the Every Day Carry category.  

[ColoradoGirl]

My story goes back to mother's leather working when I was a child.  My sister still carries a wallet she made from a Tandy kit 40+ years ago.  I remember that lovely smell when we'd walk into the Tandy store.  As an adult, I took up hobby blacksmithing, trying to duplicate the old blacksmith methods, and used buffalo leather to tie/decorate certain pieces together.  Life's changes, we relocated, and I could no longer blacksmith in my area.  Shortly thereafter, my sweetheart passed away, and I had entirely too much time on my hands and nearly two sides of leather 'leftovers' so decided to recover an antique sewing chair left to me by a grandmother.  My intention was to give it to my granddaughter It came out...we'll call it functional...with a little help from the local leather repair store owner's suggestions.  If I only knew what I know now, but it the spirit of the post, I'll post a pic.  I used a speedy awl, purchased at the local Walmart .  I am proud to say, it's used nearly daily; 2 yrs later. My mother, now living with me, saw my work and commented people would pay good money for that (her vision is distance limited).  So, I went to practicing.  I'm still learning, every day, and have begun to sell my work; slowly but surely.  Coming from a farm life, I like was taught to make things right so they last.  And, as all the others here, I want folks to be pleasantly surprised, when they receive, and use, their items.   I have had many, many suggestions from forum members and I thank you all.  I would like to share this thought with you per MarkCdub's comment.  I'm a licensee of University of Wyoming's (aka UW) logos, you might consider doing the same for your college.  For UW, there was no more than a $35ish/yr fee as a crafter, no royalties for my sales as a retailer, up to $500.00, $70ish/yr if that limitation is exceeded. and I can reproduce approved images on any leather items except university restrictions regarding alcohol and gun/knife items.  Very minimal approval requirements, great business exercises for you, and a large clientele.   Don't forget your local sales/business license requirements (mine are no cost other than the collected taxes ).  It was suggested here, on this forum, that I consider getting some stamps made for quicker production, which I did.  I'll attach a pic of my most recent, and very popular, UW stamped coasters (registered trademark).  All production is done by hand.  I'll also post my first project, post blacksmithing.  Good luck to you.  You seem a very genuine, creative, and ambitious young man; that will take you very far.  Enjoying this thread.

Tammy

Laramie Leatherworks

[Sangrati]

Hi,

I am very new to leather craft and this forum.  I fell in love with this forum the day I singed in.  Such a supportive and friendly environment.  My story is simple and very new. Few months back I was looking for wallet for myself. Could not find something suitable for months and then by chance saw a video on you tube about make a hand made leather wallet and thus it started.  Watched my videos, ordered some tools online, ordered some leather downloaded few templates and started practising.  So far haven't been able to make a wallet for me and I feel that is still a bit away.  I will share whatever so far I have made.  My working life in this craft is less than 30 days. unfortunately, my long working hours allow me little time to work on the projects.  

I hope with the time I will be able to dedicate some more time to it and be at least acceptable quality craftsman.

I am attaching my work so far done. Serial Number indicates the sequence in which they were made. There are multiple pics for each project. 

 

Regards

Sangrati 

[Rockoboy]

Looking good for your 1st few projects, Sangrati.

Just one recommendation ... watch your widths between the stitch-line and the edge of the project. Usually the width should be approx. as wide as the thickness of the leather, but that can change depending on your personal preference. Some people will stitch a project, then cut, sand and burnish the edge to suit their requirements.

Most important thing of all ... enjoy what you do.

[Sangrati]

4 hours ago, Rockoboy said:

Looking good for your 1st few projects, Sangrati.

Just one recommendation ... watch your widths between the stitch-line and the edge of the project. Usually the width should be approx. as wide as the thickness of the leather, but that can change depending on your personal preference. Some people will stitch a project, then cut, sand and burnish the edge to suit their requirements.

Most important thing of all ... enjoy what you do.

Thank you very much for appreciation and advice.  I will work towards improving the work quality.

 

Regards

Sangrati