Where to apprentice!

**Tobus** · 15th December 10, 12:26 PM

I would stay away from places that specialize in training or schooling, simply because their focus is going to be pretty broad and generic. If you want to truly be an apprentice to a craftsman, go to the craftsman. Find someone who excels at what they do, and ask if you can apprentice under them.

That's what my wife has been doing for many years now. She's always had an artistic flair, but it never really found the proper channel until she started apprenticing under a leatherworker who has been doing this for 40 some-odd years. She works for him every day, learning bit by bit (and usually not getting paid for it). He has taught her things that you'll never find in books or trade schools.

There are a lot of older craftsmen (and women) in this country who represent a dying breed in their fields, and would love nothing more than to pass it on to someone eager to learn it, in a one-on-one setting. These are the ones to learn from, not the ones who run an institution for teaching as many people as they can.

**Burly Brute** · 15th December 10, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I would stay away from places that specialize in training or schooling, simply because their focus is going to be pretty broad and generic. If you want to truly be an apprentice to a craftsman, go to the craftsman. Find someone who excels at what they do, and ask if you can apprentice under them.

That's what my wife has been doing for many years now. She's always had an artistic flair, but it never really found the proper channel until she started apprenticing under a leatherworker who has been doing this for 40 some-odd years. She works for him every day, learning bit by bit (and usually not getting paid for it). He has taught her things that you'll never find in books or trade schools.

There are a lot of older craftsmen (and women) in this country who represent a dying breed in their fields, and would love nothing more than to pass it on to someone eager to learn it, in a one-on-one setting. These are the ones to learn from, not the ones who run an institution for teaching as many people as they can.

Very true. THinking about this stuff always reminds me of the character in "Into the Wild" who teaches Chris McCandless how to do a bit of leather work. I forget the well-known actor who plays the part based on the true person.