Videos, Classes and More

I am back in Kentucky working at Amazon for their peak season.  This year I'm a "Picker", so if you've ordered something and it came from Kentucky, I might have picked it off the shelf for you.  Boy, that is one fast paced - non stop job.  The first week I knew I would not return to Amazon next year for the 3rd year, but really, its a mindless job.  You go where the scanner tells you, you pick the item it tells you and you sen it one its way on one of the many, many miles of conveyor belts in that 2million square foot building.  If you're feet don't hurt, then really, its not a bad job.  I am, unfortunately, still working on getting my feet not to hurt.  I've bought 2 pairs of shoes and now I've reverted back to last years shoes, that are broken in and worn out - but at least my feet don't hurt AS BAD as with the new shoes.  We'll see in 2 months when the job is through if I think I'll come back or not.  Our interview for the 2015 season begins in February, so that will give me a little time to forget how bad my feet hurt and to tell them YES, I will return for peak 2015!

I just recently completed teaching a basic leatherworking techniques class at Campbell Folk School in NC.  There was also a weekend class where we concentrated on the Cuir Bouilli technique to make leather drinking mugs.

The classes went well and I really have to say this group of people was among my favorites.

We had Cory Marie - a Belly Dancer and Fire Dancer that made a leather Belly Dancing Skirt and Bra out of leather.  I had Ivan the Wonderful that tried every technique imaginable and ended up with a belt bag, arm bracers, a mask and a few other items.  And, then there was Maura - the ICU nurse that spent the week working on a phone holster/belt bag.  I have never seen anyone spend days perfecting leather straps but she did.  I think she used the time to just work meticulously on her project and needed the time away from the daily life and death stress her job brings her. 

Of course I enjoyed Erla, Wendy, Holly, Randy, Steven and Leeanne too. 

I love teaching.

My good friend Leonard reminded me that I had stated I was going to use this time at Amazon to write more instruction books/articles and maybe record videos to go along with them.  And, you know what?  I am - I've lots of ideas running around in my head and I think I will finally get over my reluctance of of not know the "how to" of actually producing a video and just start with the basics and improve from there.  That's how I wrote the book on Gourd Stitch, so really, all I have to do it just start videoing and quit worrying about how it will all turn out.

Thaksfor ready my blog.  There aren't many of you following me, but I do appreciate it when you comment on my posts.

Take care, and I'll have more stuff to read/view soon.