Morning everyone, I just wanted to say hi as I've been lurking around the forum for a week or so reading a load of posts. I'm Dan and I'm based in the south west of the UK, I've been working properly with leather for a couple of years now. As a lot of people have I started learning from Al Stohlman books but as I gained more knowledge I naturally started to move away from that style of leatherwork and look to achieve a bit more refinement (I mean no offence to uncle Al as he was incredible). I only use hand tools and only hand stitch as I don't own a sewing machine and pretty much all my stitching is done using an awl (Obviously where its applicable).
So a few weeks ago I was sat in my workshop with my design sketch book in front of me and I drew a blank. Up until this point I think I had been drawn in by attitudes and saying you may of heard like "A good leather bag in never lined" or "Veg tanned leather is the best type out there". I suddenly had what I would say was a moment of clarity, why was I restricting myself and abiding by other peoples opinions which are just that? So to cut a long story short I am now on a journey of discovery 😂 experimenting with all sorts of new materials and techniques which lead me here. I was super happy and excited to have found this forum as I have really struggled to find resources on the finer type of leather craft although this might just be me being an idiot.
I have attached a couple of pictures of older projects however I have a briefcase on the bench atm which is being made using more techniques than these items and maybe I will create a post once completed.
Sorry for the long introduction I honestly planned to keep this short 😃 Have a great weekend.
Dan



🙂😊
@DanielMcGrath Welcome to the forum Daniel! Thank you for sharing your journey and newfound thoughts on the craft. I found it very interesting.
Thanks very much
Great work and very good detailing.
That's really kind of you to say, thank you :)
You have a beautiful work Dan, keep it up.