During high school, I had to get a job. After all, I had a 1965 Ford Falcon, cherry red with a three speed on the column, to maintain and fill with gas in order to drive my friends around. The most important thing in the world was being able to drive, leave school at lunch time and hang out, or "say" that I was going to a football game! ( I hated sports.)
I did my door knocking on various business's. I was determined not to serve food, I don't know why really, but all in all, it led me to Tandy Leather Company. Back then, in the '70's, there were Tandy Leather stores everywhere. I think I was paid $4.25 an hour. I was little then, barely 5'3" tall, and sopping wet I weighed all of 90 pounds. My job was to use a utility knife and cut leather pieces, by the foot out of belt weight cow hide. Making purses and belts was a very popular craft in the '70's, much like macramé. I had to literally climb up on the tall cutting table, hold the leather down with my knees and using a steel straight -edge, cut what was needed for the customers, who were mostly men.
After showing my prowess for this job, it was deemed that I was ready to learn how to stamp and carve leather, in order to give demonstrations. I learned how to make bags and belts and punch holes and lace and I learned carving techniques. I hand crafted some really fun things, spent a small fortune of my pay on leather and tools and realized that I loved working with my hands. So, I was a crafts person, maybe, but I wasn't an artist. It took much, much longer for that notion to pop into my head!
lol, I remember those Tandy Leather stores. I would have been GREEN because you actually got to work at one!
ReplyDeleteOh my, this brings back some memories. I loved Tandy, and miss them. One thing that came to me as I read this was the smell of the stores. I loved walking in and smelling the leather. There is a place here that sells horse saddles, the closest I get to that wonder of the smell of the leather. I think I may make myself a purse and bag. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteloving your new series ;)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! And what a great way to start out. I'm glad you found the love of crafting!
ReplyDelete65 blue and white chevy camaro here! I remember Tandy leather, wow!
ReplyDeleteSo very true. We take things we learn, love them, keep doing them, but it is years to cultivate the artist in us.
ReplyDeleteTerrie - I remember Tandy Leather! What a nice story! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of leather! To this day, I think of my first job when I smell it!Unfortunately, during a difficult time of life, when I really needed the money, I sold my tools at a garage sale!
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to figure out where my "artist" is...right now I just collect materials and try to set up the (quite elusive) perfect space so that then, THEN, I will be able to become an artist...I think maybe I should start with dioramas...any tips? I have quite the footsteps to follow in...
ReplyDeleteWow ... that was a nice stroll down memory lane!! There was a leather shop right next to the waterbed store in downtown Skokie... LOL
ReplyDelete@Maloy, Start. Begin. Don't wait for the perfect place or the perfect time, or the perfect circumstance! Life is now, so don't waste time. You feel it, I see it. You are not to judge your talents. Google dioramas. I just looked at a diorama artists work today. Your little scenes are art!
ReplyDelete@ BabySpice, And years to feel comfortable saying it out loud!
ReplyDeleteNice new blog! I've never gotten into leather (as a craftsperson, anyway) but I had a jewelry instructor who also did leather, so I know that a lot of the tools for stamping are very much the same as those for silver.
ReplyDeleteMy first job was at a fabric store! I totally BSed my way into it by saying I knew a lot about sewing, but I tell you, I learned fast, and wound up taking home large chunks of my salary as fabric!
BTW, I totally want to win the Vintage Person!
Count me in!
Cheers,
Julie D'Arcy
According to David Bayles & Ted Orland of the book, "Art & Fear", if you are producing something, you can call yourself an artist: "...While you may feel you're just pretending that you're an artist, there's no way to pretend you're making art. Go ahead, try writing a story while pretending you're writing a story. Not possible. Your work may not be what curators want to exhibit or publishers want to publish, but those are different issues entirely. You make good work by (among other things) making lots of work that isn't very good, and gradually weeding out the parts that aren't good, the parts that aren't yours. It's called feedback, and it's the most direct route to learning about your own vision. It's also called doing your work. After all, someone has to do your work, and you're the closest person around."
ReplyDeleteI only started calling myself an "Arteest" sometime last year;) I believe if you inspire yourself or someone else with your tenacity and product, then you can call yourself anything you want.
Wow - I forgot all about these leather purses! They were so popular! What a neat story. --Laura/PetScribbles
ReplyDeleteJulie, I can totally relate. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen...you know, fake it 'till you make it!
ReplyDeleteMolly, Those words are perfect!We are not to judge ourselves. We are just to do the work that calls us.
Thanks for your comment Laura! Those purses were an item!
I would love to learn leather crafting...o and if you don't mind, I'll take the falcon, and zen hens 65 camaro too!! :)
ReplyDeleteThat purse is really nice. Leather crafting sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteI just added you on facebook and blogspot. I think your blog and your facebook is truely great. I have been sitting here reading through everything. I am new to blog, website, facebook and soon to add etsy things. I make baby stuff and sell at the local craft shows and now online. Thank you so much for having such a great blog to follow!! Savvy Bowtique
ReplyDelete1967 Nova with a hurst 3 speed- the boys all wanted my car! no dice. One of my first jobs was working at a ceramic studio making molds-
ReplyDeleteI use to come home with my braids full of clay- lol. LOVE your blog- :)
Hi from Samara - follower no. 50 ! My husband used to do a lot of leather work and I still love the smell of leather. I love your vintage people so much. Congrats on such a beautiful blog x
ReplyDeleteYour little people are such a great way to repurpose things. I am always in awe of creative energy.
ReplyDeleteI love your work Terrie! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteOh Terrie that bag is AMAZING!!! You crafty minx, you really are so diverse with your creativity. I can just visualize an old comfy hand constructed recycled metal armchair covered with leather that has been carved and painted...bliss x
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post. I remember that company. Felt a little like walking down memory lane.
ReplyDelete