Jim Linnell
Jim Linnell is a world renowned leather craftsman who has dedicated much of his life to the promotion of leather working as an art form.[1][2]
Linnell was raised in southeastern Montana,[1] where he was first introduced to leather working in an industrial arts class in Junior High.[2] He enjoyed working with leather and began making small projects that he would sell to classmates at enough of a profit to buy a new tool or pattern. After high school, he worked at Boyd’s Boot and Saddle in Miles City, Montana[1] for several years, where he made custom leather goods and taught classes.
He began working for the Tandy Leather in 1978[1] and managed multiple stores with the chain during his career.[3] In 1983, Linnell was recognized with the salesman’s Victor Award by the Fort Worth Sales & Marketing Executives Association[4] for leading sales gains and profit improvements in the 275 store retail chain.
He went on to serve as the president of Joshua’s Christian bookstores in 1990,[5] where he served for 7 years before they were purchased by Family Christian Stores. After several entrepreneurial efforts, Linnell returned to Tandy Leather as Director of Operations in 2002.[6] He now serves as the National Advertising Manager[7] for the brand.
Linnell has dedicated much of his life to promoting leathercraft, having taught in 39 states, Europe, and England.[2] He also developed a 4-H leathercraft program in Puerto Rico in collaboration with their Department of Agriculture.[8] He also teaches an annual class for youth at the Sheridan Leather show.[9][10]
Linnell spent 4 months creating a leather piece that was signed by the cast of the Lonesome Dove and auctioned for $28,000[2] at the Lonesome Dove Reunion Gala in Fort Worth, Texas. His efforts to help grow leathercraft have been recognized with the Al Stohlman Award for Achievement in Leathercraft in 2002[2][3] and the Academy of Western Artists’ Master Leather Artisan award in 2013.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d Allison, Amorette (19 May 2016). "The art of Leather working: Local man creates beautiful pieces of art". Miles City Star. Miles City, MT.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ a b c d e Dunn, David (16 March 2016). "Lonesome Dove's Rawhide". Fort Worth Weekly. Fort Worth, TX. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ a b Reis, Bill; Reis, Dot (July 2002). "Jim Linnell Receives the 2002 Al Stohlman Award for Excellence in Leathercraft". The Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Sheehan, Brenda (May–June 1983). "Victor Award Winners". Tandygram. 13 (3). Tandy Leather Corporation: 9.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Chapman Stertzer, Carol (21 July 1993). "Growth Spurt at Joshua's Stores". Christian Retailing. Strang Publication.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Leather Factory Hires Jim Linnell as Director of Operations for Tandy Leather" (Press release). Fort Worth, TX: Leather Factory, Inc. PR News Wire. 15 January 2002. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ Hintz, Stephanie (July 2016). "Extra, Extra! An industry pioneer lays a path of succes for leather smiths, one hide at a time". Handmade Business. 42 (483). Jones Publishing Inc: 9.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ McCoy Smith (news anchor), Paige (16 June 2016). "Turning Leather Into Art". Good Morning Texas. Event occurs at 0900. ABC. WFAA8.
- ^ Magnusson, Kristin (12 May 2016). "Leather crafters to descend on Sheridan". The Sheridan Press. Sheridan, Wyoming. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ "Kid's leather craft workshop to be held May 16". The Sheridan Press. Sheridan, Wyoming. 8 May 2015.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Past AWA Winners". Academy of Western Artists. Retrieved June 21, 2016.