Weather at work, leather at home Published Oct. 22, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- While a 375th Operations Support Squadron weather flight operations NCOIC forecasts weather at work, he creates leathercrafts at home. Tech. Sgt. Galo Garcia, Jr. recently won three awards in the International Federation of Leather Guilds in Columbus , Ohio . Last year, Sergeant Garcia entered the international competition with a carved purse that he made for his sister and placed third. This year, Sergeant Garcia entered into five out the 10 categories: the molded figures, formed masks, hand carved wearing apparel, carved wallet and carved purse. Sergeant Garcia took first place in the molded division, second place in the formed masks division and third place in the hand carved wearing apparel division. Sergeant Garcia came across leathercrafting one day while shopping for a quiver. He realized crafting the quiver himself would cost less, so he decided to try leathercrafting on his own. "I just bought a book and taught myself," Sergeant Garcia said. After this, Sergeant Garcia became interested in leathercrafting and made it a regular hobby. "I do it everyday. It's relaxing," said Sergeant Garcia, a San Antonio, Texas native. "I also like the fact that it is 'green,' nothing is wasted, you use everything in leathercrafting." According to Sergeant Garcia, it can take as little as two hours or as long as two months to make a craft. Sergeant Garcia's goal is to become a leathercraft master, which is to win three first places in the open and advanced divisions respectively. Sergeant Garcia is taking his leathercrafting further. He is scheduled to teach leathercrafting at Florissant Valley Community College next fall. He also wants to start a leathercrafting class at the Arts and Crafts Center. Anyone interested should contact Sergeant Garcia at galo.garcia-02@scott.af.mil