"Steven's Story"   

       I guess my interest in leathercraft started from my Grandparents when I was a teenager. My Grandfather was well known to all of the old-timers in the area for fixing harness, making harness pieces, along with any other leather repairs that were sent his way, all of which were done by hand. They tell me that he was the only one around that could restuff horse collars to fit the horse properly and comfortably. My Grandfather was pure horseman. It was pretty much all he thought about. I think he was most content when he was with his horses although as time went on he had to settle for just watching my horses graze from the back step.

The Foulger Family
My Grandmother used to buy Tandy Leather kits and make small items for other members of the family like knife cases, shell cases and two vests that she made me when I was a kid which I still have hanging in my closet. I also still have some of the old cardboard patterns that she made out of cereal boxes hidden away someplace. I remember walking into my Grandparents place (where I now live) and heading downstairs where Grampy did his harness work and picking up the scent of the leather harnesses that were in his shop. Soon I started using the basic skills that my Grandparents passed on to me and started fixing my own saddle and gear then started fixing stuff for other people.

       I've also always had an artistic interest ever since I was young. Every night after the animals were fed I would head up to my room and sketch in my sketch book. Since I was taking a couple of art classes in high school I could say I was doing my home work. Somehow that still didn't get done. I guess my parents saw something in my work and enrolled me in oil painting classes. I guess it's only natural that I try to incorporate my artistic interest into my leatherwork.

    I continued to do a few repairs here and there but it never went any farther than that until my daughter was born with Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy, A rare form of Muscular Dystrophy. Seeing the need to stay close to home to take care of the family and local work being hard to find I started doing what felt natural, custom leatherwork and repairs. Soon my hobby turned into a business and then merged into custom saddle making. It's a business that fits my life perfectly, and I know that I'm always guaranteed to have at least one thing in common with my customers.....love of good horses.