sailorsh

The latest completed project, a laptop/ document sleeve. This will be on display and for sale at the contemporary craft fair, Handmade Oxford starting on 12 June at Waterperry Gardens in Oxfordshire. The laptop sleeve is made with traditional English bridle leather and put linen thread. The bloom (white streaks) has been left on the surface and the person who buys it will be free to keep it or lightly brush it off. Among others the Japanese prefer it to be left on as it offers a little bit of protection. The laptop sleeve is large enough for most notebook… Read More »Laptop Sleeve Complete

This is a short one.  Maybe! In the previous blog about my own daily used cross body bag, the one that has been receiving a beating for a few years, I discussed my thoughts about how it has been performing over the years.  I had been thinking of upgrading the bag.  The first upgrade was to add some small d-rings for attachment of lanyards to which I could securely attach keys and my torch.  The second upgrade was to add a secure slot on the gusset for quick access items.  The third upgrade was to line and stitch the front… Read More »A Quick Update – Cross Body Bag Upgrade 1

The Convertible Mini Tote has been in development for a while and it is finally born.  It was preceded by a prototype that has been in testing for a number of weeks.  With some subtle design changes this one is ready for action. Some background.  I received a customer commission a couple of years ago for a large, slimline tote bag, big enough, among other things, for a weekend away, the day at the office and for general daily use.  The prototype was made with black English bridle leather with brass hardware (feet, d-rings and sam browne studs).  The customer… Read More »The Convertible Mini Tote

The Latest Adventure From time to time I like to write a review of my own cross body bag.  It was the very first ‘proper’ thing I made and it was this bag that got me into leather craft six years ago.  This cross body bag has meant more to me than most would imagine.  I have used this cross body bag for a number of years now on a daily basis.  It works for me exactly how I want it to.  However it has also given me an opportunity to test my workmanship and the materials used.  This is… Read More »Cross Body Bag Review – Three Years of Ab-use

This commission was from a gentleman with an old watch which has some sentimental value.  It was a wedding gift and the watch had fallen into a state of disrepair and disuse over the last few years.  After having the broken glass replaced the strap broke in two places at the same time.  The strap was always uncomfortable and instead of purchasing a replacement off the shelf he decided to have a bespoke strap made. The leather used is quite special.  It is a lovely pliable veg tanned calf skin with a light print to give some texture.  What makes… Read More »Customer Commission – Bespoke Watch Strap

(Scroll down to the bottom if you would like to skip the text!) I often say that each and every leather craft project is like undertaking a journey.  Even journeys that have been experienced before can present new experiences.  New journeys most definitely provide new experiences.  Such is the same, I find, for my leather projects.  Here is a story about my most recent project.  One that is a departure from my usual type of project.  Ultimately the idea is to provide  beautiful, well made and truly useful leather items to those who appreciate and understand what they are beholding.… Read More »Off The Beaten Path – A Medieval Pouch

It was a fateful Monday when Eric and Suha visited the Walsall Leather Museum.  The museum is usually closed on Mondays but it was open for a public open day.  I was called in to help with some of the extra activities taking place.  The moment I arrived I was informed that there were a couple of visitors who wanted to meet me about a commission.  They had arrived at the museum on the only Monday in the year that it was open and I was in attendance.  We had a short discussion after which I asked them to make… Read More »Commission – A simple belt pouch

Note to reader:  if you prefer not reading about the details please skip to the photographs below. Late last year I was contacted by a gentleman named David.  He was looking for a special gift for his son’s 21st Birthday and after some discussion he decided to commission me to make a darts case for his son who is a serious darts player.  During the initial meeting with David and his sons we made some sketches and came up with a design both to fit the darts and to fit the budget.  Fast forward a couple of months and after… Read More »Customer Commission – Sedgwick Leather Darts Case Complete

In the previous session Barrie showed me how to attach the webbing to prepare the seat and day three of the training was a continuation of the preparation of the seat. On day three we cut and attached the padding on to the webbing. A fair amount of precision is needed to ensure that the seat doesn’t have and lumps or bumps in places where they could cause discomfort to the rider. So lots of trimming to ensure that the edges of the foam have the right contours and sit in the right place. Traditionally saddles would have been padded… Read More »Traditional Saddlery Training With Barrie Swain – Day 3

Some months ago I made a leather sheath for a two layer Alox Victorinox pocket knife. This pocket knife is attached to a keyring and is carried in a pocket on a daily basis. It is an extremely useful tool and is used often. The owner of the pocket knife was worried that the aluminium scales were getting damaged while being carried and this led to the making of the leather sheath. A few days ago the owner of this Victorinox pocket knife had an unfortunate experience. Not just one fall but two falls in the same day. The first… Read More »A Victorinox Pocket Knife Saved

The second day of the training took place a few days ago.  Despite being cut short due to a power failure we did quite a lot.  The main task that was completed was the attachment of the webbing, the base upon which the saddle is built.  We also attached the initial components for the seat. I asked Barrie about the modern foam that we were using for making the seat.  I wanted to know what would have been used in Victorian times.  The reason why he used this modern material is that it is far superior in comparison to what… Read More »Traditional Saddlery Training With Barrie Swain – Day 2

A couple of weeks ago I received an invitation to attend a tour of the Brook’s (bicycle) saddle factory in Smethwick, Birmingham, UK.  The invitation was immediately accepted and a couple of days ago I found myself in the company of a small group of people being taken into the factory premises.  Knowing not what to expect I followed in the line of visitors to the office area.  To get to the office area we had to pass through the factory and immediately the excitement began to well up inside.  First impressions, this place was old and it housed some… Read More »Brook’s England – The Birmingham Bicycle Saddles Factory Tour

Approximately two years ago I was having conversations with the owners of a couple of well known luxury leather goods manufacturers about brass briefcase locks and brass hardware.  The gist of the conversation was that Italian locks are superior to British ones and that the British ones don’t last.  Around the same time I read an article about Naoyuki Komatsu of Ortus Leather in Japan on Simon Crompton’s website Permanent Style in which it is mentioned that Naoyuki Komatsu resorted to making his own locks and brass hardware.  He mentions that the British brass hardware is the best but he… Read More »The Pursuit of Excellence

Today was a fairly momentous day.  It was day one of my saddlery training with Barrie Swain.  The training is being held at the Walsall Leather Museum in the West Midlands, UK.  Walsall being one of the world capitals for saddlery and luxury light leather goods.  A video record is being made of the training to capture the skills of one of the worlds last remaining experts in traditional Victorian saddlery. The time lapse video below shows several hours compressed into 30 seconds.  It gives a sneak peak from behind the cameras of the first day of training.  I intend… Read More »Traditional Saddlery Training With Barrie Swain – Day 1

A recent project completed for a customer in Switzerland.  This is a large tote bag made with oak bar tanned leather from JF & J Baker on Devon.  Please see the photographs below. The purpose of this hand made tote bag is to carry essential items for the city worker or for a weekend break.  It will carrying shopping or baby items equally well.  It is a versatile, simple and large bag that will fit into any setting.  The customer will be using it to carry his office items such as his laptop, books, files, and umbrella and a bottle… Read More »Oak Bark Tanned Tote Bag