Hello, all.
I genuinely cannot believe that April marks one year since I walked out of the Collin County paperwork office with a sales tax permit, drove home, and hit "publish" on my website. One year since my first official sale, one year since scribbling dimensions, notes, and arrows on the back of a water bill.
To say that I am humbled would be a gross understatement. With no reason whatsoever so believe me, people listened when I said that I could make a superior leather belt, wallet, or watch strap than what they could buy on Amazon. I wanted to use heirloom materials and generational techniques to design not just products, but artful expressions, carefully made. My community has given me their confidence, and a worldwide group of leather crafters has poured out their advice and ideas, without either I could not dream of raising this barn.
I am more in love with the craft than ever before, more confident, and more amazed at what is possible. For those who do not know, my full time job is teaching high school English in North Texas. Next year, I will be transitioning schools and grade levels (hello, 5th grade!), which should give me even more time to hone my two crafts: teaching and leather.
As high school graduation looms, and I look ahead to waving goodbye to students that I have known for three years, I am filled with a sense of thankfulness for where I am and who I am blessed to know. There is a season for all things, and this Spring is showing its penchant for rebirth.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. It's been wild, to say the least. I have too many ideas to hold in, so let's get them out there. Here's to another year, and the twenty after that.
-Thomas