Anyone do leatherwork?

[Heritagefarm]

I've often been interested in doing this; does anyone here do this? It would be a very useful craft on the farm.

[kyweaver]

DH does some. When he went looking for some instruction, we found that most "leatherworkers" do the decorative stamped, tooled leather. He did learn a lot of stitching and stuff, but had to figure most of it out himself anyway.

[Off Grid Rving]

I got a fresh squirrel hide curing right now in the shop.

[big rockpile]

My wife use to do alot of Leather Work did very good work.I think she got most her supplies from Tandys.

big rockpile

[calliemoonbeam]

Not sure what kind you're talking about, but littlejoe was making a gorgeous saddle with stamping and carving, and Farmer Dave does stamping and dying. I did some way back in the 70's. I did mostly hair barrettes, bracelets and belts, but did one purse that came out great if I do say so myself, lol. Wish I still had it! I also did a lot of suede stuff, purses, mocassins, boots, black powder pouches, etc. I'd love to get back into it, but just don't have the time.

A couple of sites recommended on previous threads by them were http://leatherworker.net and http://www.zackwhite.com/ Several people said they also got their tools and supplies cheaper on eBay.

If you're talking about tanning, there are a few people who've been experimenting with that, but I can't remember who right now. Hopefully, they'll see this and post. Good luck!

[Oldcountryboy]

Use to have a friend who made lots of leather belts, knife sheaths, and rifle scabbards, etc. He's deceased now. He could also do saddles but hated doing them cause they took too long and the leather cost too much. He went to a technical school (O.S.T. in Okmulgee, Ok.) to learn the trade. Leather work didn't make him a living but it sure made him lots of extra spending money. Of coarse if he would have dished out some money for saddle leather he probably would have stayed booked up for months or years. They was interveiwing a saddle maker a few weeks ago on the local news and this guy had about 5 years of saddle work booked up. He also got top dollar for his work and was well known for his quality.

[Frenchy]

another site that has some supplies is http://www.crazycrow.com/ located in Pottsboro, TX an another place that has hides, leather an some other items is a place called Moscow hide an fur in Moscow,ID http://www.hideandfur.com/

I've used both these places very good stuff from them so far.........

[northgirl]

I am just in the process of learning. It seems to me that leatherwork(by hand) is becoming one of those lost arts! If anyone else has some websites for tutorials I would be grateful!

[Heritagefarm]

Perhaps, but more economical than old-time woodworking. Old-time woodworking is very nearly a lost art; I don't know how much longer Alex W. Bealer's book Old Ways of Working Wood will be published. Blacksmithing doesn't seem to be lost, however, which is fortunate.