In 2006, I got off a freight train while passing through Garrett, Indiana, because I needed to get supplies. At the time I was traveling the country, riding freight trains. When I got into town I stopped at a local store to get some food. when I got to the check out counter I reached for my wallet, and it wasn't there. I remember hearing something small hit the ground on the car I was riding on as I was getting off the train, but I didn't think anything of it. Right then I realized it must have been my wallet that hit the ground. I walked back to the train yard, and the train I had been on started moving. it was moving too fast for me to try and get to the car my wallet was on. That evening I found a spot to wait for another train heading west.
I ended up in Portland, Oregon about a month after loosing my wallet. I had been to Portland before, and I loved the place. my brother lived here, and he gave me a place to stay when I got here. I needed to find work, but I also needed an ID to work. All of my identification was in my wallet that I had lost, so I had to start working on replacing everything that was in my wallet. Also, I needed a new wallet. I got an ID, and started working, and now I needed a wallet. I like DIY projects, so I decided to make a wallet. I went to a local leather store and found a black piece of scrap leather about as thick as a nickel. I had a good idea of how I wanted the wallet to be, so, with a ruler, razor, and pencil, I cut out the body, then pockets. sewing this together was a time consuming process. The wallet turned out great. It felt good to be able to create something in my head, then make it.
Not long after making the wallet, I decided to invest about $400.00 in tools, books, and a side of leather. I made a few things out of the patterns I found in the books I had purchased. I started spending all of my free time making different things, and learning new skills. A couple years after getting into this hobby, a family member had passed away, and I inherited several books on leather craft, and just about every hand tool I would need for most leather work. I began learning how to use different tools and develop new skills. I had people tell me I should start a business, but I wanted to go back to school, so I decided to keep the leather work a hobby.
For a few years I did leather work off and on while in school. School and work took up most of my time, so my projects were usually small, or they would take me a while to complete. I liked the projects I worked on, but I also wanted to try crafting something different. So, I bought a book with some bondage patterns in it. I made a couple pieces of leather gear, and got a lot of positive feedback from people I showed the gear to. This seemed like the kind of thing I could be very creative with. After making a few things, I started coming up with different ideas for bondage. I checked out bondage other people made and sold online. seeing how creative people could get was inspiring. There are so many different ways to make things.
Eventually I started an Etsy account, (etsy.com/shop/jbleathersshop). I went to different adult stores that sold leather gear to try and get new ideas. I wanted to have something unique, so I came up with ideas using different kinds of leather than what is usually used to make leather gear. The two kinds of leather I use for almost all my gear is bridal leather, and latigo leather. I use anywhere from 7oz to 12oz leather, which is thicker than what most bondage is made of. I also found hardware that is very durable and made to last. I wanted to make gear that will last a lifetime. Every piece I make is first cut from the hide.
After I built up an inventory on my Etsy site, I started shopping around, looking for a bussiness that would carry my gear. The third place I spoke with, Liked my gear and decided to start carrying it in their stores. You can find my gear at all the Fantasy for Adults Only locations in Portland, OR (check my where to purchase products page for locations and a link).
The gear I make is made to last a lifetime if properly maintained. (check my leather care page for information on how to properly maintain your gear). Over the years I've learned how to do a variety of things with leather. I have skills and am very knowledgeable on the materials I use, and the products I make. I've got a decade of experience, and am passionate about hand crafting quality products. I hand select every hide purchased to ensure quality. I like to support local businesses and I purchase all my leather from a local leather company.
I have plans to expand my business and introduce more products. I have lots of ideas, and have spoke with other artists about ideas to work with them to create unique gear.