Youth Project from Tandy

[Johanna]

Tandy Leather Factory put out a free pdf on their newsletter today, and it would make an excellent first project. It's excerpted from an Al Stohlman book, so it's 50 years old, tried and true.

FoldingKnifeCase.pdf

I'm posting this here because no one has posted in this section for months. Think of all the youth group leaders who are Googling looking for ideas. You may think it's silly to do a wristband or barrette tutorial, or how to make a belt or wallet, but I promise you that if you write one and post it here, people will be thankful for it. If you have your kids/grandkids in the shop, take some pics and show us what they did, and how to do it. Post a topic explaining how to set a rivet or a snap, do a mystery braid, solve a Tandy kit puzzle, whatever...just some ideas. But please folks, don't think for a minute that "small" projects like this are not interesting! We are attracting lots of interested newcomers to leatherwork, and what better way to get them hooked than to take some of the mystery out of leatherwork, and teach them "the basics". I know lots of you work with youth, and some of you have had institutional experience. What were the first things you did, what really caught your attention, and would you be so kind to tell your stories and ideas? People want to know, and no project is too simple for this forum. I've never had trouble getting my kids to want to do leatherwork or beads, and getting their hands busy has saved my sanity a few times. I have done wristbands with 1st graders (they love water, banging mallets and coloring!) What things have you done? Please share! You may help spark an interest more than you could ever guess.

TIA

Johanna

FoldingKnifeCase.pdf

[Dan Hammons]

Your right Jo! After a while we all start thinking small things aren't important on this board and take things for grated.I made one post here and will post one on a Bling Bling wristband that I have been making.Thanks for the reminder or swift kick you might say. I remember learning this stuff the hard way with no one to show me and God knows I could have used some help. Dan

[nuncanunca]

I don't have project to add, but a suggestion that may be helpful. I wanted to do a leather project with my son's scout den but tooling space was an issue. I called up a local company that that does granite and stone work, and they were happy to let me dig through their scrap bin for as many pieces as I wanted. I got 7-8 roughly 1'x1'x1" scrap granite pieces for free.

I am sure it would be the same with any local company - once they know you aren't trying to take advantage of them - it doesn't cost them anything and its for a good cause.

When I can afford granite countertops in the kitchen, guess who I am going to buy from?

- Dave

[DaveD]

May not be a project the youth group members could do during the time at camp...but I ran our Cub Scout archery range at day camp this week and make an arm guard as a prize for the "Top Shot" at camp this week. It went over real well, and I had about 10 parents asking about how it was done and how they could learn to do it. In addition to directing them to this site, I also gave them directions to the local Tandy store.

Getting the youth involved means there has to be adults (at least in the chronological sense) ready and available to teach them. So I encourage each of you more experienced crafters to contact your local scout groups and volunteer as a merit badge counselor (or whatever the Girl Scouts equalivalent is) for leatherworking....it's really a lot of fun to share the knowledge and watch them as they learn.

Dave

[Jordan]

Recently loaded up a bunch of tools mallets and leather strips went to sunday school and let the kids have at it, the general idea was bookmarkers but once they started stamping they did not care what it was. All had a blast and services were a little quieter that day, guess they worked out the ants in their pants by pounding on some leather with hammers!LOL