photo: Kelly Miller When you dream about doing a thing, sometimes you have to just take a step towards making it happen and see where it takes you. That’s what happened when Kelly Miller stumbled upon an expert patternmaker in Paris and created something she always dreamed about, a bespoke leather motorcycle jacket. She was […]
Leather Craftspeople to Follow on Instagram
Instagram is the place where many leather goods makers find inspiring photos of some of the best artists and designers working today. Some people use it like any other social media account, but I like to use Instagram as my own curated feed of leather goods making. Maybe even more important than the finished product […]
Videos: How to Make a Messenger Bag
Today’s post is a collection of two videos from Nigel Armitage, a well-known figure in the leatherworking world who’s famous for both his craftsmanship and his clear and concise teaching. Nigel is a great go-to resource for leather goods makers around the world and has inspired a great many beginners and professionals alike through his […]
The Giant List of Retail Trade Shows
I started collecting dates and locations for retail trade shows in the US and thought you all would find it useful too. Some of the well-known shows include events held by UBM Fashion, Designer and Agents, and Capsule but there are dozens of other smaller shows being held around the country too. Trade shows offer […]
Customer Creations: A Bag for Every Occasion
This week’s Customer Creations post is a dedicated mix of bags for every occasion, including a wide-strap shoulder bag, a single-hide briefcase, and a couple of eye-catching handbags constructed with shrunken calf. Leigh Baragwanath James Reale Rhett Villahermosa
Leatherworking History Up Close
Pictured above: Don King Saddle. Here in my workshop, I have the old Al Stohlman books on leatherworking. When I was just starting out, these were my go-to books on how to make something new. Even now I refer to them for new (well… new to me) ways of constructing projects. If you’ve read these […]
Environmental Responsibility in the Leather Industry
In the past year, we’ve had an increasing number of readers and community members write-in to say that they’d like to use leather that is produced in an environmentally friendly way. They want to support tanneries that are not only producing high-quality hides, but that are also choosing to operate in compliance with increased environmental […]
Finding a Helping Hand For Leatherworking Production
Many of our customers make a living doing leatherworking. We often get inquiries from these same customers looking for help finding new staff, such as studio assistants, production freelancers or even designers. Sometimes when our businesses grow, we are unprepared for the additional work volume. More than one person has told me about how sudden […]
Video: How to Make a Simple Leather Wallet
Nigel Armitage is an often mentioned figure in the leatherworking world that regularly pops up in casual conversation, both amongst lay practitioners and professionals alike. Not only has almost everyone heard of him, but almost everyone has learned from him. In our day-to-day operations, his name gets mentioned often, and with good reason. Nigel provides […]
May Tradeshow
In May, we’ll be at the Rocky Mountain Leather Tradeshow in Sheridan, Wyoming! Stop by our booth to see our tools, leather and other products in person. You’ll also be able to attend the many workshops and talks put on by the folks at the Leathercrafters & Saddlers Journal. We’ll be sharing our booth with […]