-
I Passed My Last Saddler Exam
I passed the exam! It has been a whole four years in the making and a lot of blood, sweat and tears have been shed, but it was worth every minute of it.
-
Starting a project…
When I feel the world is against me or I need to have some ‘me’ time I usually like to go horse riding but these last 4 weeks have been really tough and I don’t have the desire to do anything physical. I blame this feeling partly on the time of year; it’s still winter outside and the dark nights and grey/wet days are having an affect on me. However, to relax most people sleep or walk their dogs but not me I have found that I relax best when I am being crafty. With my newly learnt saddler skills I have been playing with some leather recently by carving…
-
Starting Level 3 in Bridle Making…
A couple of weeks ago I attended my fourth week of training at The Saddlery Training Centre. Following my successful completion of Level 2 Bridle Making, I was now to go straight onto Level 3 (in Bridle Making). So for my first practical piece I was tasked with making a stallion in-hand bridle with a fixed nose band, fancy stitching and a clencher brow band. I chose a rich brown coloured leather called ‘Conker’ from the store and decided to use brass clenchers and buckles as well as stitch it in a yellow contrasting thread. I like working with a contrasting thread because if you go wrong it stands out…
-
Juggling Life…
Well I’ve truly had a hectic couple of weeks since the last time I wrote. Not only have I had to contend with life in general, looking after my family and being the only one bringing in a full time wage at the moment (which is stressful) I’ve also had to deal with added issues involving my extended family and people we thought were family friends. However since the death of my nan in January these people have shown their true colours. I am disgusted. I tell you one thing for sure, you really don’t need enemies if family friends can try to do one over you. Needless to say…
-
First Week Comes To An End.
Today has been a day of mixed emotions. I was a little sad to be leaving the B&B where John and Ronnie have taken good care of me. I had the amazing full English breakfast for the last time (until the next time I go down lol 🙂 ), and after checking out I got a hug from Ronnie with her goodbye. They are truly a lovely couple and I will miss our little conversations. It was my final day spent in the workshop with Mark. I prepared all the straps that I had cut for my snaffle bridle yesterday by marking the skiving, billet platforms and returns as…
-
It’s All In The Preparation…
Today has been a really good day. Firstly, I have to mention the breakfast at the B&B is to die for. Fruit juices, grapefruits, prunes, peaches, cereals, full English breakfast if you want it. A vegetarian option, if preferred, or there are beans on toast, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, or kippers…lovely! My new buddy very kindly offered to drive us both to the Training Centre today, so off we set just before 9am. When we got there we settled in and resumed where we finished off yesterday evening. Yesterday, I had cut all the pieces to size except for the throat piece, so once I had stitched the jowls…
-
Learning A New Skill…
Hey! I made it. I drove 120 miles all by myself; it wasn’t without a challenge though. I Had A Tumble To start with I had quite a tumble off the horse yesterday. We were on our way out for a hack when she spooked, spun on her heels, bucked and caught me off guard. I fell head first onto my forehead, smashed my hat, bashed my shoulders and the base of my neck and badly sprained my right wrist where I must have put my hand out to break the fall. As you can imagine 10½ stone falling onto one’s wrist is asking for a break but thankfully I have walked…
