24th march 2021

niche

 

this has been a week of unusual requests, resulting in some fun projects, and the further developing of some bespoke products:

 

via the website, we received an order for a leather padded chess board carrier case, designed with integral pouch for the 32 pieces. 

 

another discerning customer found an image of exactly what she was looking for in the satchel section of the website, and made contact to discuss the choice of leather colour options available.

 

one particularly happy customer is about to become the proud owner of a shiny, new porshe, and has requested that we design a pair of smooth, black protectors for the backs of the front seats. these will include a touch to hinting at the design features of the brand.

 

another website order  - about to be delivered to london - is a large backpack designed for durability and longevity with the authentic beauty of natural leather, accessorised with attractive silver fittings. 

 

with craftmanship and attention to detail, cathy is just putting the finishing touches to this glorious, scarlet red, giant platform bag for carrying a laptop. made with a grasp handle instead of shoulder straps, chrome fittings and extra front pocket. just looking at it brings joy to the heart!

 

17th march 2021

freedom, green and luck

 

oh, what it is to be free! firstly, from geometric design project conundrums, and secondly with the promise of our social lives (finally) starting to open up again. 

 

I don't suppose we will be the only business for which essential online sales changes have created lucky ideas that are sticking around: branching out into supplying leather product pattern kits through etsy and offering online workshops is proving most promising.

today, cathy is preparing a super kit to send to a customer in brazil, which includes a paper pattern template with clear instructions for making a large, green leather saddlebag. included is advice about where to source the leather, plus guidance about tools and accessories such as knives, needles, threads, rivets and buckle sizes. watch this space for online workshop tutorials.

 

the greening of the land is coming on nicely now that the sun's intensity is increasing. betsy's owners have been sent her shiny, new, matching collar and lead, and as the evenings lighten, there will be chance for them to enjoy being outdoors even more.

 

so, we've got the freedom, green and luck of today's st patrick's day covered. now all cathy  needs to work on is the beard, funny hat and supernatural powers. 

 

10th march 2021

cracking on

 

now that the children are back at school again (phew), we have been able to crack on again with the workshop creative routine. productive time is lengthening with the days themselves, and there is the joy of no longer dealing with home tutoring but the delightful prospect of our returning workshop tuition becoming a possibility once more:

 

small, friendly, and supervised individually by catherine, these two-hour workshop classes are a great way to introduce yourself to working with leather.

 

mondays between 2pm - 4pm, or 7pm - 9pm 

 

we also have specialist, one-to-one tuition hosted in catherine’s fascinating workshop.

they are instructive and creative, using beautiful british leather in a natural colour and finish, using a variety of accessories, stitching or embossing. covering a range of techniques and skills, with tools and materials provided.

 

each class will have up to three people and be conducted in a covid-secure manner.

 

some of the items you can make:

apron, belt, satchel, saddle bag, dog collar, case , homeware, traveller's bag, tool roll

 

starting from may 2021, we will also be running these classes roughly once a month with

 creative with nature in todmorden

here is the workshop list:

10:30-16:30

15th may                         apron

20th may                         tool roll

3rd and 4th july               satchel

31st july and 1st august  saddlebag

5th september                 apron

10th september               belt

30th and 31st october     traveller's bag

27th november                candle holder

9th and 10th december   messenger bag

 

email joe@creativewithnature.co.uk

07588944166

 

pictured above is one of the bags that chrissie from hat therapy sold recently via insta -

a lovely, medium-sized, green, platform satchel

that pretty green, star dish is from debs at combing fish

 

3rd march 2021

 

it's all about the tea, innit

 

pictured here amongst sea green and turquoise leather remnants is one of cathy's birthday gifts - a gorgeous duck-egg blue, enamel teapot and matching mug, bought from the exciting brand new business, lelly's chai. that first morning cuppa in the workshop is going to be extra special now.

 

at the workshop bench this week we have been playing again with the geometry of spheres (anyone geometric mathematicians out there willing to get in touch?!) and test-dyeing their component leaf shapes a lovely sea green, using three different fiebings pro dyes.

 

some of this week's creations include an umbrella holder for a vintage car, men's belts and various accessories, plus a tan, missourri full-grain leather hide dog collar for cockerpoo, betsy. that order being placed while cathy, out running over colden way, bumped into doggy master - who was out running the 47 miles of the mary towneley loop.

 

24th february 2021

IMOP

international month of pancakes

 

pancakes on tuesday with the kids didn't seem a mistake at the time;

perhaps it was the twice of wednesday that set the pattern;

but it wasn't until their last-minute request immediately before heading to the workshop this morning that I realised we were well in the grip of a pancakey habit.

 

in addition, these last few days of the month seem to be all about making and shipping dog collars - perhaps as spring has now officially sprung. one customer even ordering a medium-sized one for his beloved monty in hong kong.

 

patterdale sandy is pictured here modelling her small-size missourri, full-grain hide collar with fancy brass fittings - leather supplied by jt bachelors ltd of london 

 

not to be out done, jess also celebrated the fact that tuesday was international dog biscuit appreciation day.

 

our freshly designed complement slips have been collected from the print bureau. look out for them with your orders. they too are a bit fancy.

 

18th february 2021

strange goings on

 

who would've thought that creating beautiful leather items would involve so much A' level geometry?!  it's not every day that you learn that a sphere is composed of four convex leaf shapes. convex! who'd have thought that?!

 

poor old, ageing dog, jess - deaf, blind and increasingly fretty and scaredy - has taken to barking at everyone passing by and even at customers on the other end of the phone. happily, quite by accident, cathy discovered that the deep, boomy sound made by speaking down a long cardboard roll of brown pattern paper has a calming effect on her. so if, when ringing in your orders, you hear this odd, boomy noise you know what's going on.

 

this week's unusual leather projects have also involved experimenting with split peas, bird seed, horsehair and sand. thanks to kristina at romney marsh wools for finally saving the day with a last-minute order of very raw sheepy sheeps wool... hopefully minus the dag nuts.

 

for the explorers amongst us, we can now reveal one of last week's valentine gifts - the Tourderms man bag - pictured here in resilient, ruggedly-smelling, oiled cowhide. notice the slight whiskey-tan colour variation - creating a uniquely curious piece every time. ready for anything!

10th february 2021

keeping secrets

 

blanketing the land with a comforting coverlet of silence, this week's snow is keeping spring's delightful secrets. evidence of the colour to come just peeping through here and there.

 

and so it is here in the workshop - in these last days before valentines - where gorgeous leather gifts are being lovingly, secretly crafted... out of the blue... for and from whom... who can say...?

 

moving swiftly on...is the good news that a TV production company has commissioned the creation of leather trigon balls - an ancient roman juggling game involving three players....hmm... maybe more of a connection there than anticipated...  

 

moving even more swiftly on... is the news that last week's pretty blog picture of a customer's own oxford tan Platform bag inspired her to order another new one in red.

 

preparation for the pattern kits are coming together nicely. we are trialing two best-selling bags - Axel Dolly and Toldbol. the pattern kits will be like a mini-workshop-to-go and include written, easy-to-follow instructions, in combination with a 30-minute, exclusive, 1:1 zoom tuition.

3rd february 2021

 

snow, snow drops and no drop-offs

 

february,  true to itself, has already offered its rich variety of weather: today's heavy snow melt and forthcoming days of rain are catching the attention of the local flood wardens; there have been perfect sledging conditions, bright, clear skies and freezing fogs...and all in only three days...at least we haven't had to contend with the school drop-offs too...and finally, happily, the snowdrops are peeping through. 

 

one regular and long-standing customer, who buys for herself and friends, has ordered a lovely dark green, platform satchel bag to add to her own collection.

 

featured in the image above is another oxford tan platform bag. It was made by cathy so long ago, that she hardly remembers it despite it being a commission, which it must have been as it's a scaled-up version of the standard size! you can see how it's been so well-loved over the years that there is a delightful overall softening and there was the need for a little stitching repair on its especially well-loved parts.   

 

                                            

 

two lovely collaborations are developing nicely: the apron and tote bag kits made with charlotte at the stitch society are now available for sale online; chrissie at hat therapy has on display in her hebden bridge shop the leather straps for her lovely velvet fabric bags.

 

with the promise of some brighter and more colourful days, we are also enjoying working with leather items in green, grey and even mustard yellow.

 

 

13th january 2021

 

snow, rain and a hint of spring

 

we had weeks of shimmery winter wonderland on the hebden tops, and made the most of every opportunity to get out with the dogs onto the moors and woods of calderdale. now that the rain has followed and the melt is complete, the luminescent mossy greens and wintry browns of the landscape are so striking.

 

it won't be long before the snowdrops are peeping through.

 

aligning ourselves with nature as best we can, we are readying ourselves for new growth - spending a little extra attention on updating our marketing materials - look out for our ce-leathergoods informative complement slips in with your orders. 

 

it also seems naturally fitting to be currently working on a lovely, forest-green platform bag.

 

6th january 2021

 

 

 

let go and become

 

there goes 2020 - we'll let that one go... and here comes 2021 - let's see what can become.

 

and in-betweeny - the rest period of the holidays has been a refreshing pause, and now we look towards what will be.

 

 

 

 

january is a time when thoughtful christmas money gifts and vouchers are often converted into lovely leather treats to oneself - either a long-desired product or practical leather-skills workshop or course - such as the little alldaith expedition bag pictured here - all you need for your phone, flask or sandwiches - made by one of our workshop students. 

 

what leathery loveliness would you like to include in your life?

 

this is a good time of year to make sure that our stockists have plenty of our products for the spring. chrissie at hat therapy and lesley at the store will soon be receiving newly made deliveries to display.

 

we'll be developing the mens' products section of our website, showcasing our bestsellers - belts, wallets, shaving kits, hips flasks and document cases, amongst others.

 

take a few deep breaths, let the old fall away, smell the crisp, wintry air and ... just ... be.

 

 

23 december 2020

 

interesting times

 

 

we are coming towards the end of some very interesting christmas orders - full of variety: including the completion of a splendid soft, green leather satchel for an old friend;

a couple who treated each other to a belt-making workshop for their third 'leather' wedding anniversary ordered another belt for his father's presie.

 

 

this year has also seen the development of some interesting working relationships, collaborations and partnerships. we have had faithful support from customers, stockists and suppliers alike: last week being yet another example of our suppliers' commitment to us - the identity store coming good with a last-minute request for a selection of unusual buckles.

 

we also find ourselves coming towards the end of an interesting year that has found us all doing what we do best: adapting to the one reliable constant of life - change.

 

so as we head towards 2021, we offer a heartfelt blessing: 

 

'may we live in less interesting times' 

 

 

16th december 2020

delightful commissions

 

this week has been super busy preparing some delightful commissions for the christmas post. there have been some wonderfully unusual projects, including restoring a funky old 1960s velveteen guitar strap. imagine the psychedelic colours ... and then some!

 

 

as ever, our customers come from all walks of life - a local gallery owner, an architect, a QC, an IT specialist, and cyber security expert.

 

cathy has been having fun and games sourcing just the right buckle for a lovely green satchel order. we still have a little wiggle room for last-minute christmas requests.

 

this week, st augustine's centre  are delivering their christmas food and gift boxes to asylum seekers and refugees around the park ward area of halifax. the independent shop owners and artisans of hebden bridge contributed wonderfully to the project - including chocolate and sweets, colouring crayons, wrapping paper, candles, woolly socks ... and a selection of lovely, soft, leather wallets of various shapes and sizes.

 

email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com

mobile: 07720 715 418

twitter: @cathybags

fb: @catherine edwards leather 

website: ce-leathergoods.com

 

 

9th december 2020

workshop vouchers and creative joy

 

vouchers

why not give the creative one in your life one of our workshop vouchers, and the opportunity to make something beautiful and lasting in british saddlery leather.

 

lots of workshop projects suitable for all skill levels are possible, covering a range of leather options including a soft apron, tablet case, tool roll, clutch bag, journal cover, twine pot and candle holder.

 

vouchers valued at £25 per hour's workshop, can be put towards 1, 2 or 3-hour, covid-friendly sessions - group or one-to-one.

 

creative joy

we are enjoying this especially creative time of year. cathy is a busy bee preparing some special christmas requests - an unusual and original backpack combining two different types of leather, an architect's satchel, a gift shaving kit, and a bespoke, indigo-blue lyngby box bag with matching purse.

 

our latest collaboration is with ruth edwards through her hebden shop broccante, where there is a wide range of interesting, handmade, old and new home furnishings, to which cathy adds beautiful leather accessories. this week she is making co-ordinated, top quality, british saddlery leather straps for one of ruth's antique, soft, upholstery-fabric bags.

 

 

we are excited about this week's delivery of some attractive, oversized fireman's buckles in gorgeous, gunmetal-grey.

 

email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com

mobile: 07720 715 418

twitter: @cathybags

fb: @catherine edwards leather

 

website: ce-leathergoods.com

 

2 december 2020

 

 

your christmas order

 

our lovely leather workshop is a happy place at the moment as we prepare your christmas orders ready for your loved ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

use our lovely gift-wrapping service to make your gift extra-special

 

make sure you have your gifts in time for christmas by placing your order before

 

friday 11th december

 

workshops

two opportunities to create your own gifts at our upcoming workshops

at the art works, halifax on

 

tuesday 8th december 6:30pm - 8:30pm

candle holder workshop

&

saturday 12th december 10:30am - 4:30pm

leather desk tidy workshop

 

our workshops are perfect for a small, covid-friendly, family gathering 

hosted and supervised individually by catherine.

they are a great way to introduce yourself to working with leather.

suitable for beginners or the more experienced.

range of techniques employed with tools and materials provided.

 

email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com

mobile: 07720 715 418

twitter: @cathybags

fb: @catherine edwards leather

 

website: ce-leathergoods.com

 

 25th December 2020  

 

it's all about christmas!

 

indulge your senses with the beautiful aroma of natural leather with our range of gorgeous gift products.

 

this week is all about christmas as we prepare to launch our instagram shop with five of our most popular products.

 

there is something for everyone - a friend, loved one, the green-fingered one in your life... and of course ... don't forget to treat yourself.

 

twine pot - for creatives and gardeners, a beautiful and unusual gift for storing and dispensing not only yarn or twine, but also to keep small things handy where you need them. it will hold light-weight items. handle opening fits to hang over a standard doorknob or cabinet knobs, or just set it down and fill. £45

 

candle holder - made entirely by hand from reclaimed wood and pure untreated leather, the Cannwyll candle holder is a beautiful and unique piece to light up any home, the leather around the candle holder can be embossed with a message or initials of your choice. the wood is sourced locally, turned and waxed to give it a rich finish, making it the perfect gift to mark a special occasion. the leather is british, untreated saddlery hide which begins life as a pale pinkish colour but ages in time to a rich caramel hue, full of character. made entirely by hand, natural leather, hand-turned from locally sourced wood. two sizes to choose from, £22 and £26

 

desk tray/organiser - keep all of your bits and bobs tidy and together in this british leather, handmade desk tray. equally elegant in either home or office, each panel of leather is individually selected for quality and finish, then hand cut and stitched. the tray can be personalised with your choice of initials, making it a great gift idea for christmas, weddings, housewarming, anniversary, groomsmen etc. £55

 

billfold wallet - classic personalised men's leather billfold wallet, slips perfectly into the pocket or tucks neatly away in a jacket. this subtle product gives a pleasingly understated look. the exterior is best british saddlery leather and contrasts well with the fine gloving leather used for the interior. £40

 

toldbol tiny saddle bag  - has got to be one of the smallest bags I make, and probably the sweetest. perfect for nights or days out when all you need are the essentials, put Toldbol Tiny over your shoulder and you're ready for anything. buckle detail and smooth curves make this bag neat and stylish. £139

 

email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com

mobile: 07720 715 418

twitter: @cathybags

fb: @catherine edwards leather

 

website: ce-leathergoods.com

 

 

20 Nov 2020

 

lovely christmas collaborations!

 

 

a lovely product photo shoot this week resulted in the development of ongoing, delightful collaborations between local stockists and creative artisans:

 

 

 

lesley, at the store, haworth - purveyors of beautiful everyday stuff - stocks our wonderful leather bags and a range of gorgeous, leather accessories including wallets, purses and candle holders.

 

charlotte, at the stitch society, is in collaboration with us on the creation of simple, stylish, durable, fabric-and-leather, bespoke aprons and smocks. together, we have also designed DIY kits for making your own tote bags or personalised aprons.

 

great for christmas gifts!

check out these incredible women's offerings on insta

 

catherineedwardsleather

thestorehaworth

thestitchsociety

 

buy a gift voucher for our new year workshops at charlotte's lovely, new premises in salts mill, saltaire or at the store, haworth.

 

email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com

mobile: 07720 715 418

twitter: @cathybags

fb: catherine edwards leather

website: ce-leathergoods.com

 

11 Nov 2020

 

 

beautiful, natural, british,

unfinished, brindle-shoulder, 

leather pocket with pruning shears. 

 

 

this lovely, new product is designed with a loop to attach to your work belt, is decorated with contrasting stitching, a stylish, sam brown stud, and includes vintage-style pruning sheers.

 

for the perfect christmas gift for the gardener in your life.

combine with our twine pot.

 

 

 

look out for the pocket-and-pot workshop in the new year. 

a chance to introduce yourself to working with leather by creating this attractive new product. stamp with a set of initials if you like.

perfect for small, friendly, covid-secure, family gatherings. 

hosted and supervised individually by catherine

 

leather pocket size 13 x 14cm, price including vintage shears £23

 

cathy@ce-leathergoods.com

07720 715 418

4th Nov 2020

 

join us for this lovely,

festive, leather candle holder workshop

 

saturday 5th december 2020, 2-5pm

 

 

brooklyn studios workshop, hx7 7dd

 

 

 

create two beautiful, natural, british-sourced, hand-turned wood and leather candle holders, perfect for your christmas-table cheer, or as a special gift.

 

learn to create patterns, decorate with red, gold or silver metal leaf or add your own, unique message stamped into the leather.

 

4 places so please book quickly

perfect for a small, friendly, family gathering. hosted and supervised individually by catherine

 

this inspiring workshop is a great way to introduce yourself to working with leather. suitable for beginners or the more experienced. range of techniques employed with tools and materials provided.

continuing to operate in a covid-secure manner.

 

 

cathy@ce-leathergoods.com

07720 715 418