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Crafter meme!
12 years ago
General
By 
mordrude of 
mordrudesmonsters!
What do you make/craft?
Leather stuff, primarily armor and accessories! I haven't yet delved into the realm of leather clothing.
Professional, hobby, or in between?
Transitioning to professional. Business is better than ever!
Does your family/non-fur friends know about your craft?
Very much so! My parents were scared at first when I quit my very comfortable programming job to do this, but they were (and continue to be!) supportive.
How do you really feel about your work?
I think I'm getting better every day! Whenever I really push myself with a piece, I'm generally pleased with the results. Sometimes I'll make something and then sit back and think, "Holy shit, did I make that?!"
Do you ever get anxious trying something new?
Ohhhh hells yes, especially for larger things. Leather is expensive, so sinking large pieces into big, complicated new ideas is really daunting. x_x
What first got you interested in your craft?
You know, I don't honestly know what really did it. I've been exposed for a long time to skilled crafters at MDRF, so that's one influence for sure. I think what really turned the tide was when I saw a really lovely leather-bound book that a friend had made, and I thought... "Hey, I could do that!"
How dirty/disorganized is your workspace?
LOL. LOL. No matter how hard I try... it's always messy. XD But it's better than it used to be. I moved my workspace out of my bedroom and into a larger area with easier access to my supplies. So now I don't just toss things on the floor when I'm done with them... I can actually *gasp* put them away!
Have you ever had to clean crafting debris off of your bed? (Eraser shavings, stray fur fibers, etc)
The flesh side of leather can shed like a mofo. So there's been plenty of that from rolling hides out on my bed. XD
What's your favorite background noise when crafting?
Now that I work away from my computer, I actually often work in silence. Not because I particularly like it, but just because I have no easy way of getting the music into my ears. Before I just listen to my usual musics, especially ambient stuff like Wardruna, or the My Brother My Brother and Me podcast.
Who was/were your artistic inspiration?
I am constantly inspired by all the amazing crafters on deviantart. Azmal is first and foremost. His stuff always was impressive, but when I actually saw one of his suits of armor in person, I was completely blown away by the craftsmanship!
http://azmal.deviantart.com
http://half-goat.deviantart.com/
http://farmer-bootoshysa.deviantart.com/
http://hamrabdg.deviantart.com/
http://lagueuse.deviantart.com/
Outside of leatherwork, I really love http://twistedstrokes.deviantart.com/ !
Where would you like to be with your craft in five years?
Hopefully fully supporting myself enough to live comfortably, have health insurance, etc. I want to focus on armor, but still provide smaller affordable items to people who can't afford (or don't want LOL) a big suit of armor!
If you could trade your skill in your craft for equal skill in another, would you? If so, which craft would you rather do?
Ugh, this is really hard. I am tempted to say yes; I would love to be a blacksmith, able to make weapons and metal armor. But ultimately I don't think I would do it, because I'm not in a good location for large-scale smithing. And selling weapons is trickier, legally, than selling leather stuff.
Which tends to come out better, your personal work or your work for others?
Honestly, they're about the same. I AGONIZE over commission work, though. Way more than I should. I have redone pieces from scratch because of some tiny thing that would probably never get noticed. I'm more loose and carefree with my personal stuff... and it still turns out well. :P
What's the biggest pitfall of your craft?
Probably the expenses and the bulkiness. Leather is expensive and takes up SO much space. At any given time I have 4-6 different weights (thicknesses) of leather for various projects, and I could even expand beyond that!
What's the best thing about your craft?
Which is your favorite piece you've made to date?
Almost certainly my Ringwyrm armor. ^_^ Despite its shortcomings, it was so so so successful, and I feel like a HUGE badass wearing it. However, I'm working on a commission now that might top it. It's a small item, but... when I look at it, it looks like a real, professional leatherworker made it. ;_;
Where do you need to improve the most?
Pricing and photography. To be an internet seller you need to take good pictures of your stuff, and I fail SO hardcore at this. I also price my stuff really erratically. It's often wayyy too low. And other business-side stuff, too--tax related stuff, figuring out my costs, etc.
mordrude of 
mordrudesmonsters!What do you make/craft?
Leather stuff, primarily armor and accessories! I haven't yet delved into the realm of leather clothing.
Professional, hobby, or in between?
Transitioning to professional. Business is better than ever!
Does your family/non-fur friends know about your craft?
Very much so! My parents were scared at first when I quit my very comfortable programming job to do this, but they were (and continue to be!) supportive.
How do you really feel about your work?
I think I'm getting better every day! Whenever I really push myself with a piece, I'm generally pleased with the results. Sometimes I'll make something and then sit back and think, "Holy shit, did I make that?!"
Do you ever get anxious trying something new?
Ohhhh hells yes, especially for larger things. Leather is expensive, so sinking large pieces into big, complicated new ideas is really daunting. x_x
What first got you interested in your craft?
You know, I don't honestly know what really did it. I've been exposed for a long time to skilled crafters at MDRF, so that's one influence for sure. I think what really turned the tide was when I saw a really lovely leather-bound book that a friend had made, and I thought... "Hey, I could do that!"
How dirty/disorganized is your workspace?
LOL. LOL. No matter how hard I try... it's always messy. XD But it's better than it used to be. I moved my workspace out of my bedroom and into a larger area with easier access to my supplies. So now I don't just toss things on the floor when I'm done with them... I can actually *gasp* put them away!
Have you ever had to clean crafting debris off of your bed? (Eraser shavings, stray fur fibers, etc)
The flesh side of leather can shed like a mofo. So there's been plenty of that from rolling hides out on my bed. XD
What's your favorite background noise when crafting?
Now that I work away from my computer, I actually often work in silence. Not because I particularly like it, but just because I have no easy way of getting the music into my ears. Before I just listen to my usual musics, especially ambient stuff like Wardruna, or the My Brother My Brother and Me podcast.
Who was/were your artistic inspiration?
I am constantly inspired by all the amazing crafters on deviantart. Azmal is first and foremost. His stuff always was impressive, but when I actually saw one of his suits of armor in person, I was completely blown away by the craftsmanship!
http://azmal.deviantart.com
http://half-goat.deviantart.com/
http://farmer-bootoshysa.deviantart.com/
http://hamrabdg.deviantart.com/
http://lagueuse.deviantart.com/
Outside of leatherwork, I really love http://twistedstrokes.deviantart.com/ !
Where would you like to be with your craft in five years?
Hopefully fully supporting myself enough to live comfortably, have health insurance, etc. I want to focus on armor, but still provide smaller affordable items to people who can't afford (or don't want LOL) a big suit of armor!
If you could trade your skill in your craft for equal skill in another, would you? If so, which craft would you rather do?
Ugh, this is really hard. I am tempted to say yes; I would love to be a blacksmith, able to make weapons and metal armor. But ultimately I don't think I would do it, because I'm not in a good location for large-scale smithing. And selling weapons is trickier, legally, than selling leather stuff.
Which tends to come out better, your personal work or your work for others?
Honestly, they're about the same. I AGONIZE over commission work, though. Way more than I should. I have redone pieces from scratch because of some tiny thing that would probably never get noticed. I'm more loose and carefree with my personal stuff... and it still turns out well. :P
What's the biggest pitfall of your craft?
Probably the expenses and the bulkiness. Leather is expensive and takes up SO much space. At any given time I have 4-6 different weights (thicknesses) of leather for various projects, and I could even expand beyond that!
What's the best thing about your craft?
Which is your favorite piece you've made to date?
Almost certainly my Ringwyrm armor. ^_^ Despite its shortcomings, it was so so so successful, and I feel like a HUGE badass wearing it. However, I'm working on a commission now that might top it. It's a small item, but... when I look at it, it looks like a real, professional leatherworker made it. ;_;
Where do you need to improve the most?
Pricing and photography. To be an internet seller you need to take good pictures of your stuff, and I fail SO hardcore at this. I also price my stuff really erratically. It's often wayyy too low. And other business-side stuff, too--tax related stuff, figuring out my costs, etc.
Mordrude
~mordrude
Oh my gosh, I get that 'Did my hands actually put this together?' feeling all the time!
big-black-beast
~big-black-beast
OP
It's such a great feeling! :D
Mordrude
~mordrude
It really is, Nirvana and Foster both did that to me and it's been the only thing that's kept me going over the past year.
