Blog, C and B Leather: Custom Hand Made Leather Goods, Page 3

Happy National Leathercraft Day August 15th!

Leather Carving, Leather Construction, Leather Stamping

National Leathercraft Day was created in 2018 by Tandy Leather as a way of celebrating the art and craft of working with leather.

Hand Sewing Leather — Hand Stitching a Leather Wallet with a traditional saddle stitch.

Leather has a long history going back to the stone age. Leather was probably one of the first materials mankind learned to work and take advantage of, and it’s been a major part of all our lives ever since. As time has moved along leather work has developed from being utilitarian to being an art form and form of expression.

Leathercraft is still a viable craft practiced by people all over the world. For some of us it is even a business and profession. But it’s also a hobby that is open to all ages and skill levels. 4H has classes for kids to start working with leather as do Boy and Girl Scouts. There are also leather supply stores like Tandy or Standing Bear’s Trading Post that have regular in person classes for people to try their hand at various skills. There are Leather Guilds across the US and the world dedicated to expanding the art form and that have regular classes or meetings with the purpose of educating people who are interested in the hobby. And of course there are many online resources like videos and tutorials, including several here on my site.

So today in honor of National Leathercraft Day I invite you to try out leathercraft for the first time or work on improving some skill. Maybe you would like to make yourself a belt. Maybe you want to make a sheath for a knife you have. Maybe you have always wanted to learn carving or stamping leather.. Give it a try! I have tutorials here on my site and Tandy Leather sells some of the best beginners books out there. There are tons of video resources by leather suppliers. Springfield Leather is not only a good source of supplies but they are one of the largest producers of online teaching videos. There are a lot of resources available to everyone these days and picking up the craft is easier now than ever.

For my own little contribution to National Leathercraft Day, I’ve got a free carving design for you. This is a corner floral design you can feel free to use however you would like.

Floral Carving Design free to use. — Floral Corner Design

I’ve included a PDF version of the design here. You can download the JPEG image above or the PDF version by clicking the link below:

Corner Design

Use it however you like. And if I get enough requests I might even do my own carving tutorial video for that design. Enjoy the day and get to the bench and make something!

Summer and Custom Leather Work

Business

Summer is a busy time if you live in Colorado. With the wealth of outdoor activities it can be hard to find time to focus on custom leather work orders and designs.

Summer snow in the Rocky Mountains — Some snow remains above tree line in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

With all the options near where I live there are lots of opportunities for outdoor things to do. There are the mountains and hiking, lakes and rivers, mountain biking or sports. It’s no wonder it’s hard to find time to work in the shop. We’ve had a very wet summer too so our yards easily become jungles and it’s work just to keep the weeds out of the garden!

Despite all that there have been some fun projects completed the past couple of months and many more coming up. There have been a couple of belts and some new purse and handbag designs to be experimented with. Some of the projects have just been experiments but a few new items are coming to the shop. For instance there will be a new small cross body bag soon.

There have been some fun custom projects too. For instance for custom leather work there was this belt design. It was requested by a customer to duplicate the design on a wallet I had made previously. I like the way the design turned out and I think I’ll be making a version of this design available in my shop sometime soon.

Northwest Style floral vine design on a custom leather belt. — Custom Leather Belt with Vine Design

There are some other interesting custom leather work projects coming up too. It looks like I may be making an archery quiver in the near future. This is something that I’ve wanted to try for a long time now and it looks like I’m going to get my chance. There are a couple of new leather handbag designs I’ve been working with that will (hopefully) be finalized and I have a wedding guest book to complete. And maybe a new belt design too. Plus finishing up some wallets for my Etsy shop plus a new small notebook. Yes there are lots of irons in the fire, or maybe that should be lots of leather on the workbench?

Also through my Instagram account, the tooling tips I’ve been posting have been popular and they have prompted several requests about leather finishing techniques. I’m working on ways to do this and I’m guessing I may be making some videos soon talking about antiquing and other finish issues. Stay tuned!

If you have a custom leather item you would like crafted for you, just send us a message and I’ll be happy to work you in. Its never too early to be thinking about Christmas gifts.

Wayne Jueschke Geometric Stamps

Leather Carving, Leather Stamping

When I post my work on my Instagram or Facebook pages, one of the consistent questions I get has to do with some of the geometric stamps that I use. People see stamps like the ones below and they send me messages asking “who makes them and where can I get them?”

Wayne Jueschke stamp on leather — Wayne Jueschke stamp and a row of it’s impressions.

I don’t blame people for really liking these stamps. I remember the first time I saw any of these and how I fell in love with them right off the bat.

I’ve known Wayne Jueschke for more than 10 years now. I first met him at a Rocky Mountain Leather Trade show in Sheridan, WY where he is perennially a vendor. I was immediately struck by the quality of the stamps and the crispness of their impressions. Despite the fact that they are expensive, I bought a couple that year and I’ve bought a few every year since when I go to that show.

Wayne is a retired machinist and his desire for precision and quality definitely show. I feel that Wayne Jueschke geometric stamps are some of the finest stamps in the business and he has some unique designs that no one else is making. I’m especially fond of his box stamps but Wayne makes basket stamps (that are outstanding too, I have a couple) as well as bevelers and border stamps. And I have a couple of his flower centers that are really nice too.

Wayne Jueschke geometric stamp on a custom leather wallet — Closeup of a Wayne Jueschke stamp on a leather wallet.

The tricky part about getting Wayne’s stamps is that he does not have a web site, doesn’t sell on line and in fact he doesn’t even take credit cards. If you wanted some of his stamps you pretty much had to run into him at a show or call him up and place an order, and then be prepared to pay by cash or check. It’s one of the reasons that I get so many questions when I post my work using his stamps. They just are not that common and someone is usually going to ask me 1) who makes that stamp and 2) how do I get one? For years all I could do was give them Wayne’s phone number or tell them look for him at the next trade show.

Fortunately now there is a website you can order some of Wayne Juescke’s stamps from. Bruce Johnson who normally sells vintage tools on his website is now carrying some of Wayne’s new stamps and mauls for sale. He has a dedicated page to these tools and he will take credit cards and ship internationally, so those of you who follow me overseas now finally have an option to get some of Wayne’s stamps!

If you would like to call Wayne (he’s a great guy to talk to!) to place an order you can reach him at 775-738-4885. He’s based in Elko, NV. Tell him Bob Blea says hi!

What Goes Into Making a Custom Leather Belt?

Creativity, Leather Carving, Leather Construction, Life of a Maker

The Artists Method (for Custom Leather Belts Anyway)

So you’re in the market for a custom leather belt? Wondering why they cost so much more than a belt from the department store? Read on.

Hand carved leather belt with floral design and silver and turquoise buckle

Having a belt custom made to your specification takes a surprising amount of work. This is especially true for the carved or stamped belts that I make.

Usually the process starts off with a question about making a belt with a specific kind of design. Maybe it’s a basket weave design or maybe something more complex like a floral carving. One of the first important questions is what length the belt has to be. There is a specific process I follow to make sure the belt is the right length for your waist and it goes beyond just knowing what size jeans you wear. People are usually surprised to find out their belt length is longer than their pants waist size!

Once we work out the belt dimensions it’s then a matter of determining the design. Sometimes this is easy as the customer is ordering a standard design from my shop such as one of my standard floral designs or a particular geometric design. But sometimes they are looking for something more custom. I’ve had a request for a grape vine design from someone that owned a vineyard. Or someone might want me to make a design that matches something else I’ve made for them like a carved notebook or wallet. In those cases I need to draw a belt design that will work on the size of belt they want and that matches their request.

A custom belt design including carving artwork and belt templates. — Custom belt being designed on my bench.

The width of the belt is a consideration too. Some people like wider belts and some like narrow belts. Or maybe they want something that is mostly wide but is tapered around the belt buckle. We can do that too, and those changes in width may need to be taken into account when designing the artwork for it.

And do they want it personalized? Maybe they want their name on the back or initials on the billet? Maybe they want their brand on the belt? These are all considerations when working with a customer to develop a custom belt for them.

So there are a lot of design steps and things to consider. This is what you are paying for when you work with a professional leather crafter who is making you a custom belt, and it is reflected in the price. But the end result should be a belt that will last you many years and that you will be happy to show off.

If you want your own custom leather belt, contact us now to get the process started! We would be happy to work with you!

The Quiet Luxury Trend and how it Effects Leather Workers

Business

The Quiet Luxury Trend

In the midst of difficult economic times, rising inflation and some of the highest interest rates in decades, it easy to say that consumers in the US are under pressure. From groceries to gasoline to electricity, costs are up across the board and families in the US are definitely feeling the pinch. The leather goods business is not immune to these effects. I’ve personally seen my orders slow down the past year while the costs of raw materials has increased.

A leather money clip with a black lizard skin inlay. — Leather Money Clip with Lizard Skin Inlay

One trend that is currently appearing in the US economy is the Quiet Luxury Trend (its also sometime called the ‘Stealth Wealth’ trend) and in may be a direct result of the tightening in the economy. It generally refers to a shift in luxury item purchases away from flashy designer logos or traditional high end brand names in favor of less flashy, more understated items and more thoughtful shopping. It has also been described as avoiding flashy brand logos and focusing more on the quality of an item and whether or not it fits your lifestyle. The quiet luxury trend also has been described as still using expensive materials but in muted tones or less flashy ways. Some analysts have even claimed that this trend is partially driven by the wealthy looking to avoid flaunting their wealth at a time when many others are struggling to pay the bills and living paycheck to paycheck.

So does this effect leather workers?

So how does this trend away from flashy luxury affect the business of most leather workers? Maybe not much and it really depends on who your target customers are. If you are a saddle maker and much of your business is saddles and working gear for cowboys, you probably won’t see much effect. If you are making high end notebooks, wallets and handbags (like much of my business is) it could be an issue. If people are not looking for flashy luxury leather items it may make some of our customers think twice before they purchase a fully carved leather handbag or bifold wallet.

There are a couple of ways you can approach this trend. You can make more muted and less flashy versions of your standard products. Maybe you use less flashy hardware or a more subtle leather to make your item. In my case I’m exploring items that have less carving and focus more on the quality of the leather. I’ve got a clutch wallet in the works now that fits this bill. Or maybe you continue doing things they way you have been. If you have established a customer base already they most likely come to you because of the style or look your leather work has now, and they are more likely to choose your work because they know your quality and will pay for your work. So you wouldn’t want to alienate these loyal customers just because of a current hot trend.

Perhaps the best approach to this quiet luxury trend is to experiment with more subtle items. That’s what I’m trying now with items that focus on the luxury look and feel of the leather instead of the intricate work of the carving or stamping. But I won’t be giving up leather carving. I’ve already got enough orders for carved items (plus a few cool ideas I want to try) to keep me busy throughout the summer. And then we’ll see what new fashion trend comes around the fall.

Leather Clutch Wallet made from blue embossed crocodile — Blue leather clutch wallet.

A Little History of Handbags and Purses

Life of a Maker

For a long time I’ve been working on handbag and purse designs. They have almost exclusively been custom orders for people but recently I’ve made one design (a cross body bag) available in my shop for purchase.

A soft leather handbag with a carved front flap. — Cross Body Bag

The history of handbags and purses is fascinating! Handbags and purses are a key part of many modern women’s wardrobes and often make a statement as an important accessory. But that wasn’t always the case. According to this Wikipedia article, the term handbag didn’t come into common use until the early 20th century. While both sexes had carried a ‘purse’ which was primarily used for coins for many years prior to that, the term ‘handbag’ began appearing in the 1900’s as a description of men’s hand luggage. However apparently over time women’s bags grew larger and more complex and the term ‘handbag’ became more associated with women’s bags.

The First Luxury Handbag

The first set of ‘luxury handbags’ is believed to have been made in 1841 as a custom order for an English Industrialist, Samuel Parkinson. According to history (and the same article referenced above) he ordered a set of traveling bags from a London shop called H. J. Cave. As part of the order he specified a “traveling case or bag for his wife’s particulars after noticing that her purse was too small and made from a material that would not withstand” long journeys by train. He also requested that several be made in different sizes for different occasions and he specifically stated they needed to be made of leather. While this was good news for me and other future leather workers like me, it wasn’t that popular at the time. The finished bags which are considered the first ‘modern’ handbags were considered too heavy by many critics of that time. They were concerned that the bags were so heavy that they would result in back injuries to the poor frail women of the era. H. J. Cave apparently only made handbags occasionally and stopped making them in 1865 except for certain customers. Like the Queen of England and other royalty on request. They would start making luxury bags again for the general public in 2010.

Fortunately for me and my interest in making custom leather handbags and purses, the idea did eventually catch on and now they exist in all sorts of shapes, sizes and artwork designs. If you are interested in a custom leather handbag or purse, please feel free to contact me. I’ll be thrilled to add my work to the history of handbags and purses!

This article has been sponsored by Loveland Heights Cottages near Estes Park, CO and along the banks of the Big Thompson River. They have played host to many luxury leather bags over the years. The cabins have been around almost as long as there have been modern handbags for women but the cabins still have modern conveniences like WiFi. Check out their website to contact them and arrange reservations for your Rocky Mountain summer getaway!

Just back from the Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show!

Leather Carving, Leather Stamping

Mid May is a special time of year for us leather workers, especially those living near enough to Wyoming that we can easily travel to the Rocky Mountain Leather Trade show in Sheridan, WY.

The Premier Leather Trade Show in the US

A view of the show floor at the 2023 Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show. — A view of the trade show floor.

Every May some of the best suppliers of tools, equipment, hardware and of course leather gather in Sheridan for a week long event that includes classes and a leather artwork show that usually attracts some of the best artisans from around the world. As a leather worker this is an excellent chance to see the work of some of the best leather workers, purchase specialized tools and get some of the most unique leathers on the planet all in one place. It’s also a great chance to learn from others and improve our skills.

This has been an event where in the past I’ve taken classes to improve my skills and where I’ve met some amazing people. The leather worker community in the US is really a very friendly and supportive group as a whole and the leather workers at the Sheridan show really exemplify that. They are a community that will support each other and freely share their knowledge. A great example of this is a free class taught on Saturday afternoon to kids to introduce them to leather work. Master leather craftsman Jim Linnel of Elk Track Studios has given his time for many years to introduce this art to the next generation and to further its traditions. It’s this kind of openness and community that make this show such a special event in my life and the lives of many other leather workers around the country.

I came back inspired by the amazing work I saw at the World Leather Debut, an art exhibit that is part of the show, as well as the amazing friends I’ve made over the years who are real leaders in this art form. Now I’m back with a few new tools, a few new ideas and some beautiful leather.

Timeless Leather Decor for your Home

Creativity, Leather Carving

Remember Leather Decor?

I remember a long time ago traveling for work and staying in a small motel in central Kansas. The motel had a western / cattle drive theme and I distinctly remember the room having carved leather artwork and picture frames along with other kinds of western themed decor. I really liked the place and since I had to visit this customer several times I always made a point of staying at that same motel.

Hand Carved Leather Picture Frame

“Leather decor items are a timeless form of decoration for the home and they aren’t limited to western themes.”

This was all long before I knew anything about working with or carving leather. But it shows how I was interested in the western design motif and leather carving in general. As a fan of western history it all points to my eventually becoming a leather craftsman and my focus on western floral patterns.

So when I got a chance to make a leather decor item I jumped at it! A few year’s ago a customer requested a carved picture frame as a wedding gift. She was looking for a floral design with the happy couple’s brand centered on it. The final result is shown here and they were all thrilled with it.

It was a fun project and I’ve wanted to make more things like it. I have an end table in my house that needs the top redone and I want to make an all leather top for it with a carved design. One of these days I’m going to make the time to do this for myself.

Leather decor items are a timeless form of decoration for the home and they aren’t limited to western themes. When I was young it was more common to see leather decor items in homes. Usually they were not western themed though it make sense for the motel I was visiting. Often they were just meant to signify luxury. While I like western floral designs myself, there is no reason these designs can’t be Celtic, Victorian or any other theme you prefer for your decorating style.

If you have any ideas for a custom leather decor item you would like for your home, let me know. I’m always happy to work in a different style and I would be thrilled to make more items like this picture frame or a leather table runner. Just contact me and let me know what you have in mind. Together I think we can make a really cool family heirloom!

PS: Looking for a unique western motel?

Speaking of motels with a unique western history, try checking out Loveland Heights Cottages, These unique cabins are located along the Big Thompson River near Estes Part, CO. They have one, two, and three-bedroom cottages with fully equipped kitchens and many with decks that are right on the river. They are one of the best vacation values in the Rocky Mountains and I’m happy to have them as sponsors. Give them a call today to book your summer getaway!

Celebrating World Leather Day!

Life of a Maker

April 26th is World Leather Day

World Leather Day is a day created by the leather industry to celebrate leather and leather products and to focus on the sustainability of leather as a material. Leather is actually a byproduct of the food industry. According to the tanning industry if cattle skins were not tanned and used to make leather approximately 10 million metric tons of waste material would end up going to landfills annually. Instead this material is used to make clothing, boots, gloves and some of the carved leather items that I make and sell here on my site.

Leather is one of the oldest man made products, having been made since before the dawn of human civilization. Mankind’s earliest creations were probably leather clothing for protection and leather bags for carrying and storing things. Like the teepee of the Plains Indians of North America early man probably developed their first housing from mobile leather structures. We went on to develop leather armor, saddles and protective gloves and boots. In many of these cases, leather is still a great choice in these applications despite the development of many modern synthetic fibers.

Leather has a beauty and durability that few other materials can match. The carved leather items that I make are generally one of kind creations that are made specifically for that customer. The artwork often represents something special about them or their family, and the finished product is intended to be a family heirloom that will be handed down from generation to generation. Whether it’s a leather handbag or a family Bible cover it is made to be durable and to last while being used for the purpose it was designed for.

Leather has that unique property that it can be carved, dyed and crafted into so many unique items. Here on World Leather Day we are celebrating this amazing material and the wondrous and long lasting works of art we can create with it. I am honored that I have a medium where I can create a functional work of art that will be used and cherished by people probably long after I’m gone.

Focusing on Your Work (as an Artist its Hard!)

Business, Creativity, Life of a Maker

I tend not to be the most organized person, as anyone who looks at my work bench would clearly see! Despite appearances though I do have a good idea where most things are and what I should be working on.

Hand tooling a flower in leather. — Process of carving a flower in leather.

However for creative people especially it can be hard to stay focused and motivated to work on a specific product or customer order. On MANY occasions I’ve had trouble staying focused on a project that isn’t as exciting artistically as some of my past work, and it can make me easily distracted when another more enticing idea comes along. It is very easy for me to get distracted by seeing other’s work on social media like Instagram and thinking “What a cool idea!”

For artists and other creative people staying focused on tasks, especially if they are not a particularly creative task, can be hard because of the way our brain is wired. If your right brain is more dominant, meaning you’re more used to flexing your creative muscles, you will naturally gravitate towards those skills versus more left brain tasks that are more logical and analytical. If you are working on something that isn’t particularly artistic or creative, it can be easy to be side tracked from something that you don’t enjoy. Plus if you are like me, a good creative idea can jump in and disrupt whatever you are trying to concentrating on.

Focusing For Artists and Creatives

One of the easiest ways to fight this and stay on track is goal setting. Having written goals and reviewing them daily is a key way I keep on track and get projects done. When I’m struggling to move forward on a project, it’s usually because I’m not staying focused on my goals and I’m allowing myself to be distracted. Focusing for artists and creatives can sometimes be a difficult task. I’m as guilty as anyone else! Look a squirrel!

There are important steps to goal setting. First is knowing what you want to achieve. You have to know where you want to go before you can start a trip. Once you have a goal you have to have a plan. This is your map on how you are going to get where you want to go. Then Take Action! It’s no good having a plan or a map unless start the trip to reach your goal. If necessary break it down into smaller steps. And once you reach your goal review how it turned out and if necessary renew your goals.

Goal setting and staying focused on your goals is not always the easiest thing for someone who is creative. Let’s face it, the logical process of setting and focusing on goals isn’t always the strength of someone who is creative minded. But if you are an artist or creative who is operating as a freelancer or in your own business it’s important to keep on track, meet your goals and finish your project so it can be delivered to your customer. And in the end, shipping that project frees you up for your next creative project! That can be a reward in itself.

Carved leather pendant with wire wrapped bezel. — Leather Floral Pendant