Everything we say and do matters, even the little things. How we treat others is so crucially important in life and in business. Well, that's what I have learned.
The video below appears to be a recording of a rather mundain and insignificant task but it is not. This video represents how one act that took place a very long time ago has opened a big door and presented me with incredible opportunities.
I once had a little radio co-host side gig. On the show, we interviewed a lot of folks in the music industry. To be honest, I had no idea who they were! But being the incredibly curious person that I am, I would ask the interviewee a zillion questions and in doing so, I would often make a connection.
One particular encounter must have been memorable to them because it was he who introduced me to the person, Jay Dozer, who is responsible for making Morgan Wallen's mic stands. About two years ago, Jay hired me to cover Morgan's mic stand with leather. If you're a fan of Morgan, you have probably seen him using it on stage at one of his concerts, or on TV, or in a music video. Morgan's leather mic stand cover has traveled with him all over the world.
Last week, Jay reached out to me a second time with a request for a new leather mic stand cover for Morgan. New colors, different leather, and a new set of requirements with a very short time frame to get it done. It had to be in Houston in time for Morgan's "I'm the Problem" tour. Of course, I said, yes!
Here in this short video, I'm unwrapping the very mic stand that Morgan sings into all the time. This alone is pretty cool. But to get a second opportunity to create such a piece is extremely cool for any artist. And it is all because of that one interview that took place many years ago. The proof that our behavior always matters.
I found a little "gift" amongst the packaging, in a bag with a note from Jay. It was one of Morgan's guitar picks. #finderskeepers ;-)
Morgan Wallen's Leather Mic Stand Cover in the Making.
Part 2 ~ The Cutting & Coloring of the Leather
Morgan Wallen's Leather Mic Stand Cover in the Making.
Part 3 ~ The Skiving of the Leather (video coming soon!)
People don't believe me when I say that working with leather is a physical experience. They actually seemed puzzled by that statement. After completing a project such as the making one of Morgan's Leather Mic Stand Covers, not only do my fingers often feel numb but they, and my hands hurt, as do the muscles in my arms, and my legs from standing on my feet for many hours at a stretch. And let's not forget to mention the many cuts I get. Dear Lord, I'm starting to feel as if I should not be around any sort of sharp blades and instruments. lol
You too may be wondering why on earth would my arms and hands ache as much as I say they do. Well, for this project, it was all the skiving of the leather that was necessary. I do not use any machinery to thin the leather where it needs thinning. I used a collection of very sharp knives, gradually cutting into the flesh side of the leather hide to thin it out. Because the leather for the boom pole needed to be thin enough to lay flat underneath the pick holder, that leather needed to be skived quite a lot.
I skived the leather for Morgan's leather mic stand cover for hours. My fingertips got so numb and hurt badly, so much so that it became difficult to lace up the pieces onto the main and boom poles. Of course, I got it done. Anything for Morgan!
Morgan Wallen's Leather Mic Stand Cover in the Making.
Part 4 ~ Mission Accomplished (video coming soon!)
Prior to the Main and Boom poles' arrival in New Hampshire, Jay Dozer (the person responsible for the build of the mic stand and base) and I went back and forth briefly and quickly discussing this project. Briefly, because we weren't afforded a lot of time to get this project accomplished. The leather and the materials needed had to be sourced and purchased and brought in house. We had to figure out all the shipping arrangements necessary to get Morgan's mic stand and base to me and they returned back to Jay and then off to Houston for opening night of the "I'm the Problem Tour". And the work also needed to be done. Let me tell you, there were some prayers said about making this deadline.
After the re-coloring of the leather was completed and all the skiving was done, it was finally time to stitch up all the leather mic stand cover pieces. I attach the base cover to the base, and the boom and main pole covers to the boom and main pole. Last up, was the part that I like the least; lacing up the leather on the poles. By this time in the project, my fingers were cut up, blistered and hurting but, I was able to get it done. I quickly packaged up all the pieces, rushed them to Fed Ex to ship everything off to Jay, and Morgan and team. I could now breath. I could now take a much deserved rest.
Should you go to see Morgan in concert, and spot my leather creation on stage with him, please share your pix and video on my socials! Or, tag me #leatherartbylisa
And as always, thank you for your continued support for my Leather Art!
♥
Lisa
• Morgan Wallen ~ Custom Leather Mic Stand Cover #2 ~ Full Video •
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