Name:
Jack Ussery
Address:
6234 Norchester
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
How did you first get started in leather crafting?
Leather Craft was a hobby I picked up when I was in my twenties
while serving in the U.S. Navy. I served in the Navy for 30+ years
and found this was a very relaxing hobby.
I will be 82 years
old next birthday. At one time in my early years, I did sell some
leather work, but I found the work was no longer a hobby and the
work become less enjoyable. From that point, I never sold another
piece, but rather gave the
leather creations away to individuals
who were my friends or people who I admire.
What led you to the Tippmann Boss for your leather
crafting needs?
I was tired of sewing by hand. I needed a machine that would sew
through thick materials such as leather and canvas. The Boss was an
ideal machine in my eyes, due to the fact that it allows the user to
sew one stitch at a time. I was also drawn to this machine because
to its compact size and simple user-friendly design.
One
particular item I use the Boss on, is leather directors chairs. When
sewing by hand, it would take up to 3 days to do all of the sewing,
required by one chair. By using the Boss, I have cut that down to
2-3 hours. The same type of time savings can be applied to the
purses, wallets, holsters, etc. which I now create with the Boss.
What types of other machines, if any, are you using
in conjunction with your Tippmann
Boss?
I still have a Thompson, which is a nice machine. I use this
primarily on my lighter weight materials.
What are some
suggestions and general advice that
you would give to others who were
interested in getting started in the
leather crafting industry as either
a hobby or a profession?
The most important thing is to enjoy
your work and take your time. Take
pride in what you are creating. In
today's age of mass production, the
one thing that tends to get
overlooked it quality. When creating
a piece, from start to finish, you
have ability to control all facets
of the quality of that piece.
Jack, you have done leather pieces for many
well known individuals, would you
mind listing a few?
I would like to include the entire
list, but that might take up too much
room. I will however list a few of the
names, which I think many people will
recognize.
- First Lady Barbara Bush:
purse and billfold
- First Lady
Nancy Reagan: purse
- First Lady
Laura Bush: purse
- Governor Sara
Palin: purse
- Senator Kay Bailey
Hutchison: purse
- Governor Rick
Perry: leather directors chair
-
Elmer Kelton (western author):
directors chair
- President
George H.W. Bush: leather hunting
pockets.
I have included
several images of some of these
creations, along with a few
personalized thank you notes,
expressing their gratitude for the
pieces I had custom created for
them.
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