Love hearing about his beginnings. Leatherworking is often an isolated craft. Its a gift to be able to learn from the experiences of other craftsmen. There's always lessons in the message. Im passing on what I know to my 2 young adult kids. Hopefully others are doing the same. I would love to see an interview with a steel rule die maker. Info on what can and can't be done with dies. Is there such a thing as too small or too large? Can a die be sharpened at home? What's the best cutting surface or pad for them to extend their life? How do we know when one need to be remade?
Don is my hero , I am now doing an apprentice ship in lufkin texas after making belts for 7 years and it all because of him , and my grandfather who was a saddle maker In crockett tx my whole life
Don is such a treasure to our community. His honestly humble nature belies the fact that he's achieved the "rock star" status within it (that juxtaposition only only elevates his status more). This video highlights his achievements and his graduated steps from sheath maker to saddlemaker to business maker to video producer to "Master Leather Maker". But I think he'd agree that his highest title is one that we all have given him,... "Friend to All Leather Makers".
Don is a good man no doubt . I have ordered tons of pattern packs from him , and have watched his videos ( listening to them while I’m in my shop ) tooling leather and completing orders , definitely a good podcast video here to watch
Great interview! I took my first in-person class with Don in Waco this year and had a blast! And went home with a guitar strap, and some good swivel knife advice as well. I also made a mistake with a dye soaked dauber and Don turned it into a happy accident!
Don is an interesting character. His story is Interesting too. But Don does bring up good points about leathercrafting and it's a subject that needs a lot of discussion on another platform. Way more people used to do leather work in home as a hobby/small business. Few people today do it. Saddle making is a disappearing art. Leathercraft is too. Just because the internet exists, and makers can be known simply because of the internet, does not mean the craft is growing. Less people today know how to work with leather than the 50's-60's-70's. Sadly at some point, it could disappear. Most of us have no local stores to take classes and buy supplies. Schools generally do not offer leathercraft classes as part of the curriculum. And frankly, leather craft is expensive. Buying tools with reasonable quality are not a small investment. Buying smaller cuts of leather, is quite expensive too. The difficulty accessing classes and the expense, will end up driving it away for most people. Being in a shaky economy doesn't help either. I mean, most people are not lining up to spend 75-100 dollars on a well made, basic leather belt. Not when they can run down to Walmart and buy a throw away for 20-30 bucks.
I'm teaching both of my teens as I make things and go along. Hopefully others will too. Passing down the knowledge is important for the next generation.
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Don is an awesome man and comes from a wonderful family. I was fortunate enough to have met him when he was a youngster through my trade.
Love hearing about his beginnings. Leatherworking is often an isolated craft. Its a gift to be able to learn from the experiences of other craftsmen. There's always lessons in the message. Im passing on what I know to my 2 young adult kids. Hopefully others are doing the same.
I would love to see an interview with a steel rule die maker. Info on what can and can't be done with dies. Is there such a thing as too small or too large? Can a die be sharpened at home? What's the best cutting surface or pad for them to extend their life? How do we know when one need to be remade?
Don is my hero , I am now doing an apprentice ship in lufkin texas after making belts for 7 years and it all because of him , and my grandfather who was a saddle maker In crockett tx my whole life
Don is one of my heroes. Great interview
Excellent video for the start of season 2. Don is the man!!
Don is such a treasure to our community. His honestly humble nature belies the fact that he's achieved the "rock star" status within it (that juxtaposition only only elevates his status more). This video highlights his achievements and his graduated steps from sheath maker to saddlemaker to business maker to video producer to "Master Leather Maker". But I think he'd agree that his highest title is one that we all have given him,... "Friend to All Leather Makers".
What we’ve all been waiting for!!!! YESS!!!! Thank you Steven!!! 🔥🔥🔥
Don is a good man no doubt . I have ordered tons of pattern packs from him , and have watched his videos ( listening to them while I’m in my shop ) tooling leather and completing orders , definitely a good podcast video here to watch
Great interview and video💥
Another great episode keep it up and Don is such a humble individual and great craftsman
Awesome show
Thank you for watching! 😊😊
Great interview! I took my first in-person class with Don in Waco this year and had a blast! And went home with a guitar strap, and some good swivel knife advice as well. I also made a mistake with a dye soaked dauber and Don turned it into a happy accident!
How do I increase my leatherwork knowledge and techniques? I watch Don Gonzales TH-cam videos.
Don is an interesting character. His story is Interesting too. But Don does bring up good points about leathercrafting and it's a subject that needs a lot of discussion on another platform. Way more people used to do leather work in home as a hobby/small business. Few people today do it. Saddle making is a disappearing art. Leathercraft is too. Just because the internet exists, and makers can be known simply because of the internet, does not mean the craft is growing. Less people today know how to work with leather than the 50's-60's-70's. Sadly at some point, it could disappear. Most of us have no local stores to take classes and buy supplies. Schools generally do not offer leathercraft classes as part of the curriculum.
And frankly, leather craft is expensive. Buying tools with reasonable quality are not a small investment. Buying smaller cuts of leather, is quite expensive too. The difficulty accessing classes and the expense, will end up driving it away for most people. Being in a shaky economy doesn't help either. I mean, most people are not lining up to spend 75-100 dollars on a well made, basic leather belt. Not when they can run down to Walmart and buy a throw away for 20-30 bucks.
I'm teaching both of my teens as I make things and go along. Hopefully others will too. Passing down the knowledge is important for the next generation.
Is this on a podcast platform?
Exclusively on TH-cam.