This Art Form Is Going Straight To Hell

[Retswerb]

Well said @Ailinea! If I was marketing for Tandy I’d be going hard after partnerships with some of the better YouTube leather workers out there.

[Reegesc]

@allinea -- Excellent post

[Sheilajeanne]

Excellent post!

I do notice Tandy dropping a lot of the patterns that require extensive tooling from their product line, in favour of bags, purses and wallets that don't require any tooling. 

As someone who enjoys tooling, I'm not happy about this trend, but I can see the reason for it.

[AzShooter]

Most of Tandy's tooling diagrams are now on their Library page.  The patterns now give you the drawings but no illustrations on how to put their product together.

 

[Spyros]

I thought the collaboration on youtube between Weaver and Corter was a good idea and must be working well for them.  Weaver (Chuck?) is loading a whole bunch of instructive videos (they're infomercials really but still, you can learn stuff from them) and Corter has a natural way of making things looking simple and achieving nice results.  I like them both and used to watch them, and I remember coming out feeling like I wanted to make something.  That's the whole point innit?

I agree the mystique of advanced leatherworking is intimidating and ultimately off putting for beginners.  But it was never meant for beginners anyway.

Another guy on youtube, probably my favourite, who I think is doing the craft a great service with his relaxed and polite manners and his simple and logical approach to everything is Harry Rogers.  Look him up, it's a pleasure just to hear him talk.  We need more like him I think.

[Reegesc]

@Spryos -- Agreed. Harry Rogers videos are great. He's such a likable guy, so down to earth. Another point I'd like to make is there is to much emphasis on the technical aspect of leather working. What is needed is more emphasis on creativity and freeform design and frankly that means new blood and new thinking.

[Tugadude]

26 minutes ago, cseeger said:

@Spryos -- Agreed. Harry Rogers videos are great. He's such a likable guy, so down to earth. Another point I'd like to make is there is to much emphasis on the technical aspect of leather working. What is needed is more emphasis on creativity and freeform design and frankly that means new blood and new thinking.

I agree with this sentiment.

There are some really creative people in the world and hopefully many of them will find leather and use it as a medium of expression.

 

 

[JHLeatherwood]

Going to have to look up Harry Rogers - sounds like a good way to spend some time.

Another you-tuber who's doing a lot to bring in new people to leather is Tony See, of dieselpunk.ro and leather-patterns.com. He started off making and selling his bags, masks, etc. but has moved completely to making and selling patterns now - he's said publicly that he doesn't want to compete with the people who buy his patterns when people are looking for leather goods. Not only has he sold 90,000 patterns (over the course of five-ish years, but the pace is accelerating) he has solid, well-produced tutorials for every pattern. He also does videos on product photography, stitching, "Why your stuff doesn't sell," and so on.

There's no tooling involved, and the patterns are made well enough that even I can do them - which has led me back to some of the more interesting and challenging things I'm trying to make. And, of course, the wealth of knowledge here has helped.

Back when The Rifleman and Gunsmoke were all the rage, Stohlman/Sheridan holsters and saddles were interesting to kids. Now, it's anime and game characters. If the craft doesn't adapt along with society, it will become even more niche.

[Reegesc]

@JhLeatherwood --- You are spot on about Tony See.  He is singularly the bright spot in leather craft today.  I've had many conversations with him and his Facebook group are a fanatical group of fans.   Talk about creative...wow.  The guy just blows me away.

[Samalan]

Finally talked my wife into going to Tandy, we signed up for a leather carving class, on the way home Tandy called asked if we were husband and wife when I said yes he said I'm sorry we don't allow that. wow hell of a business model !