Leaders in Leathercraft: George Hurst
Although most people recognize George for his YouTube videos, his history of teaching leathercraft with Tandy goes back over 50 years!
George grew up on a tomato farm in a small town in Pennsylvania and was introduced leathercraft in the Boy Scouts in his youth. He went on to serve in the military during the Korean war and, when he returned, was recommended by a neighbor to apply at Tandy Leather.
In June of 1961, George Hurst began his long and illustrious career in Leathercraft. As a manager, George introduced 1,000’s of people to leathercraft through teaching at schools and in hospitals.
Although he loved teaching classes, he aspired to help others learn the love of leathercraft on a larger scale. In 1972, George created a manual for teaching that he used to help introduce leathercraft in to schools. His innovative program was very successful and, several years later, George was offered a job in Fort Worth to lead the merchandising team. One of the first things he did in this position was help develop a formal school program called “Adventures in Leathercraft”.
While serving as Merchandising Manager, George worked very closely with Al and Ann Stohlman. During that time, he helped develop a number of different publications, including the Encyclopedia of Saddlemaking, The Art of Embossing Leather, and all 3 volumes of The Art of Making Leather Cases.
George also pioneered the idea of using video in for teaching leathercraft in 1985 in a program he created to teach the basics of leatherwork in schools. The program became quite popular and was also sold in stores for a learning resource at home.
In 2009, George was brought back to the Tandy team to resume teaching with video through YouTube and on the LeathercraftLibrary. Since then, he has created hundreds of instructional videos that help teach the basics of leathercraft, how to properly use tools, and walk-throughs for creating leather projects.
Among George’s accolades include an Al Stohlman Award in 1992, Leather Artisan of the Year (Will Rodgers Memorial Award), Lifetime Achievement in Leathercraft, and the International Federation of Leather Guilds’ Hall of Fame Award.
“I’ve been a pretty blessed guy to get in to this business,” said George. “I’m 82, still working and loving every minute of it.”
Learn more about George Hurst in “An Interview With George Hurst”:
I want to thanks Mr. Hurst for what he has taught me about doing leathercraft. Not personally, but I have been fortunate enough to purchase several leather itmes made by Mr. Hurst and by studying them first hand, I’ve learned a lot and improved my own leatherwork. So, Thank You, Mr. Hurst!!
I have just begun to do leathercraft and I really enjoy Mr. Hurst’s instructional videos. I too want to say thank you and that I am looking forward to viewing more videos.
I have learned tons from Mr. Hurst, Thanks Sir, I will continue to watch your videos and read your works for sometime to come.
Thank you Mr. Hurst. Because of you and your instructional videos and projects, I have expanded my knowledge and types of products I make. It has helped me keep active after being forced to quit work due to health reasons. Love doing many of your new products. And as you say, they make great gifts.
Mr Hurst
it is a true honor to watch a true master craftsman at work,
I’ve done leather work off and on for more than 30 years,
would it be possible for you to make a sheep lined Rifle case.? From start to finish?
Mr. Hurst is great person. He has always answered my emails of any questions I have had. He is my Leather Craft Hero!!. We are so lucky in our craft to have someone like Mr Hurst. You are always teaching me something new every time I watch your videos. Thank you for taking the time to teach us all!! Blessings Mr. Hurst!
My Wife and I have learned a lot from Mr Hurst’s videos. And really do enjoy watching him he makes it easy to understand each step of the process.
My thanks to George for all of his hard work and great explanation in his videos!
I am a relatively new leather crafter having only done it for a little over 3 years, but something about it ignited in my spirit when I saw a program where someone making a saddle. I knew I could do it, and I was more sure of that when I found TLF online! Mr. Hurst, you have been a gold mine for me and I have grown in the craft by leaps and bounds by watching your videos and putting what you teach into practice. Thank you so much for your gentle and thorough instruction. It is indeed an honor to sit at the feet of a Master.
I’ve been learning from Mr.George Hurst for about four years now, via his many videos and publications.He is a great teacher,gentleman and a legend.Long may he continue.
I wish good health and long life for Mr. Hirst!
With gratitude for video tutorials!
I spent some time with Mr Hurst in fort worth when he was working on a holster. I was on vacation from Florida. I always wanted to meet him. I have been doing leather for 20 years and the few days hanging out watching him work inspired me to become better.He taut me more by watching him and asking questions that i Lerned in my first 10 years on my own.Thanks for all the information you gave me on holster making.Your videos are the best.
I am 76 years old, nearly as old as George. I have been doing leathercrafting for 20+ years. I have watched literally all of George’s videos. He has such an easy way of teaching and delivery that you pay attention and learn to do the tasks the right way. To me he and Al and Ann Stolman (RIP) are the epitome of leathercrafters. May George enjoy many more years.