Featured Tippmann Customer

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 87 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.