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 […]
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 […]
Leather Magazines
Last week I posted about finding out-of-print leathercrafting books. Not all publications about this trade are gone. There are many books in print and even a few periodicals where you can find useful information and possible project ideas. This week, I want to turn your attention to some of those magazines that still exist today. […]
Finding Out Of Print Leatherworking Books Near You
I love to learn about the history of leatherworking. While there are an ever-growing amount of leatherworking resources online, there are still many areas of leathercraft that are difficult to find. I can access a nearly endless supply of articles and videos on beginning techniques. but there’s hardly anything available for different skiving methods or […]
Videos: The Art of Fine Precision
Today’s post is a collection of two videos from two very talented and well-respected English leatherworking companies. The first, from Equus Leather, is a perfect example of how deliberate, sustained attention and an eye for detail create a beautiful finished piece. Just notice the focus and precision that the artisan brings to skiiving, creasing and […]
Leathersmithe’s Making Your Own Sandal Guide
Davy Joel Rippner, a long time sandal maker, was recently reading our post on experimenting with sandals. He directed me to the great article on his site Leathersmithe, which takes you step by step on how to make a pair of sandals using a design that he has refined and used for many years. We’re […]
Choosing Between Outstitch and Lasted Shoemaking
Today we’re bringing you a special guest post by master shoemaker Sara McIntosh. We met up a while back when I was visiting Chicago and I was impressed by the organization she founded, the Chicago School of Shoemaking. Sara is a master teacher there and has built up an impressive facility and student following. In […]
Leather Thickness Conversion Chart
I keep this chart handy for myself and thought I would share it with all of our readers. Converting between oz, mm, and inch can be a pain, and this reference chart makes it a lot easier. Most leather in the US is measured in ounces, and one ounce equals 1/64 of an inch. Remembering […]