The Blog
Musings and Ramblings that may or may-not be Leather Related.
Can I make Money from Leatherwork?
This is a question I get asked a lot.
I have students come to the workshop who are looking to change career or have been doing leather work or crafting for a number of years and want to take it to that next level.
I also have professional leatherworkers come to the workshop to develop ideas, concepts, increase their skillset or just get better.
They all ask the same thing, “can I make money from Leather Work? Proper money.”
The short version is yes!
I do, I have been working with leather and running my own company for a number of years… I try not to dwell on how many, every time I work it out it dawns on me that I am not in my 20’s anymore, in my mind, the last decade is still the 80’s. (ouch)
Courses, creatures and Computers.
Good morning Folks!
I hope you have managed to enjoy some of the UK summer sunshine and break away from the day to day grind. Today it is cold and drizzly so we have been sat inside in front of the computer, updating the behind the scenes work of the website and search engines. Yawn!
Recently we have had some brilliant group courses held here in the workshop set in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside.
The courses have been varied with students of different skill sets and backgrounds attending. This has made the days fun and interesting as they have learned how to make various items from belts and accessories, to bag design and of course have been taken down the rabbit hole of information involved in template making and stitching. The feedback has been excellent, from both new faces and returning customers. All have made excellent progress and have returned home with an improved skill set and passion to use it for future products.
Some thoughts on Stitching
I get asked to share my thoughts on stitching and pricking irons quite frequently and to highlight the different types and styles out there. The subject is broad and the tools many but I will refer to a few of the most common available.
Much of what I will say is from experience and some is opinion but it is fair to say, my way is not the only way.
Get as much information as you can from as many sources as you can but do not be shy about asking the folks offering that advice to qualify it, and then check it.
There is a lot of misinformation on this here tinter web.
The short version of what I am trying to impart is that leatherwork is not saddlery, as such, different techniques can be used and people will offer advice on what they think you should do, not what works best for you.
I hope this brief insight helps.
Inspired by Leathercraft
This is a lovely article written for Waxing the Thread Magazine by Gaynor Howell, I thought I would include it here for you to read and maybe as a prompt for you to go and take a look at a very useful and practical magazine.
Here is the article:
While many WTT readers will know of Nigel Armitage’s online leatherwork tutorials, those of us who prefer to learn via print will be delighted to learn that he has recently published his first book; LEATHERWORK Traditional Handcrafted Skills and Projects. The book, includes 12 practical projects which progressively introduce and reinforce the core skills of the craft, ensuring the beginner’s success of each. Aside from the projects themselves, his unique approach to many of the skills presented is of particular value and may even challenge some practiced leather-workers to revisit or question some of their existing leatherwork techniques.
There were a few unexpected surprises when we opened the cover of LEATHERCRAFT so, in order to share with you the reasoning behind those we asked the author to offer some insight into the pages and Projects within.