Shop Talk

Excitement runs through me as I sit down to write this today. As some of you know, each year we dedicate an entire issue to women in the leather industry. In the fields of traditional arts that are predominantly filled with men, it is truly an honor

French Hammer, Lasting Pliers, and Shank Pullers earrings. These earrings are sold as singles and stock is limited. When they’re gone, they’re gone. $75 EACH; earrings are NOT sold in pairs. www.sorrell.shop, type the word earrings in the search box.

Our ChahinLeather® strap leather is made using an artisanal tanning process that produces leather that takes tooling well and oils and dyes uniformly. Products made with this leather will develop a beautiful patina with use over time. Available in ma

Tandy’s new Gibson-style wallet kit includes all of the veg-tan leather pieces and hardware you need, along with detailed assembly instructions with photos. Wallet design includes snap closures, card pockets, zippered money/change pocket, and wrist s

When you’re searching for a material that looks great while offering weather resistance, waxed canvas is an excellent choice. This age-old material was popular in the early- to mid-1900s and has recently experienced a resurgence with craftspeople who

Hand dyeing leather goods gives makers several advantages, especially in the beginning stages of learning the leather trade. It allows us to create custom looks for customers, as well as avoid having to purchase multiple hides in a variety of colors.

Who’d think that someone born and raised in the old railroad town that is Whitefish, Montana, would establish a highly unique career in New York City building leather footwear for celebrities of stage and screen? “My grandparents had 200 acres in Whi

German leather artisan Aline Seiler has always been into bags. “As a teenager,” she says, “I always wanted to know about the latest bag of the season and one of my big, big dreams was to one day own a designer bag. I was obsessed with everything Alex

When Julie Simon started watching Project Runway, an American reality TV show that focuses on fashion design, she had no idea that one day it would inspire her to trade in her computer for a sewing machine. After more than 12 years working as a graph

Rachel Dake inherited a love of horses from her mother. When she was nine, Rachel got her first horse. She spent the next few years competing in various equine events in 4-H, but never suspected this passion would lead to her eventual livelihood. Rac

STEP 1 – To start this process you will need a 3” x 6.5” piece of leather, a square, an edger, a scratch awl, a stitch groover, and a round knife. STEP 2 – Now that you have your tools, you will grab the piece of leather you choose to work with and a

Over the past 20 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled all over the world for work: from Toronto to Tokyo, Berlin to Beijing, and nearly everywhere in between. But along with a frequent flier card and an impressive collection of foreign