Albert L. Shelton

So glad that I got to see Al at times in years past. A great artist but my favorite was his Leather Art, and the book and pattern paks he did. I was honored as President of The Leathercraft Guild to help present him with a
special plaque to comemorate his years associated with our guild. He sure won't be forgotten by all the people whom life he touched.
R.I.P Al !

I met Al in the early 1950's at a Leather Craft Guild Meeting at Plummer Park in west Los Angeles.. He was always good in his demonstrations on leather carving. Al opened his first shop at the farmers market in Los Angeles. He said that was a big mistake,people would stop by and talk to him and no work would get finished. Over the years we became friends and visited with him in his Studio City Shop. Al was commissioned by Martin Guitar to cover a Martin Guitar in leather like the ones he had Done for Ricky Nelson. This was to be the best Leather Project Al had done in his career. The project got started,but do to Al's eye site the leather work was with 90% of the tooling done. One day I visited Al and I asked if the Martin Guitar would ever be finished. He said I don't think it will ever get finished. I asked if he would like to see it finished,his reply with a few tears in his eyes said,but I can't do it. I said will Al I will be here next week until it's completed. After about eight partial weeks the Martin Guitar was done. This is one time that two leather artist was better than one. This was a project that had to be done for Al as much a Martin Co.. Al and the Guitar are together in the Martin Guitar Museum in memory of his life's work.

Chuck & Lana Smith