Being a Creator Series

I am a Maker, a creator of hand made items. Leather is my medium. My inspiration comes from all over.

What do you do? Better yet, what do YOU WANT TO DO? And... why aren't you creating?!?

I am going to dedicate the next few weeks to a series of blog posts under the "Being a Creator" title. I want to cover a few points that I have discovered in my journey into leather craft and becoming a creator myself. First I want to talk about just getting out there and starting something. Please join along. 

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I come across folks all the time at shows and events, or even my day to day who say: "I wish I could do that." or "How do I start?" 

My answer? JUST START. I saw something I wanted to do, and I tried doing it. Did I know what what I was doing when I took the leap? Heck NO!, but I made the effort to actually do something. That's all it takes. However, I waited a long time 'to take that leap. 

I have had an interest in leather nearly my whole life. I grew up around farm and ranch, spending a bulk of my childhood on horse back at my Uncle's conditioning yards. I learned to appreciate leather as usable tool. Later in life, in my teens, I recognized the quality on fine boots, belts and wallets. In my college years, the upper end of refined leather goods; bags, portfolios, desktop kits, leather wrapped flasks and the like. 

I always thought to myself, I'd like to do that. I'd like to make stuff with leather. This went on for several years, while I made excuses for not trying it out.

I don't have the time, I don't have enough money, I wouldn't be any good at it, it would just be easier to buy something. 

What finally got me to it? I was in grad school working as a Graduate Assistant, not making much money at all. I thought I needed a fancy weekender duffel bag. Who was I kidding? I couldn't afford one of those. I couldn't even afford a Chinese knockoff!! I'll just make one myself, how hard could it be? 

Well, it was very hard, especially having no idea what I was doing. But that's a whole other story. The point is, I started this craft about this same time of year in 2012. Six years, I have been working with leather. When I look back and think about all those times I wanted to start working leather, I kick myself in the backside. I could have three, four, maybe five additional years of experience right now, if I had only STARTED. Taken that leap. Left the excuses behind.  

This over told story of my beginnings amounts to nothing if you can't take away one thing: Don't be afraid to start something. I don't care if its knitting or turning custom pens. We are living in a very finite life y'all. If you're dreaming about making something, or creating something, do it. Try it. Maybe you'll hate it, maybe you'll love it. Chances are, you going to love and hate it! You'll love making something with your own two hands, and you're going to hate that box of mistakes hidden under your shop table, back in the corner next to the old air compressor and file box...... but you'll still appreciate all the hard work you have in it. 

Just try something. Don't look back wishing you had. 

Please let us know if you're a maker too and what you create. Let us know if you haven't started and don't know where or when to start. Comment below. 

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On the next Blog: Finding your place in a crafty world.