We did it
We've been keeping this a secret for a while now in anticipation of the official visit and it all being approved.... we are over the moon to announce we have been accepted into the Guild of Master Craftsmen. A real honour and accomplishment to be recognised by this exclusive guild. We join a list which includes, Aston Martin, Harrods, The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason and many more.
The earliest of these were 'frith' or 'peace' guilds - groups bonded together for mutual protection following the breakdown of the kins, which were groups related by blood ties. Merchant guilds - associations of international trades - were powerful in the 12th & 13th centuries, but lost their ascendency with the rise of the craft guilds. One of the guilds long established primary objectives is to preserve high standards. We are off course thrilled and so proud to have been approved through the selection process.
Back down to earth and the workshop...…These past few weeks have been so busy, we've had the pleasure of hosting so many courses in the workshop from, Travellers Bags & custom designs to Knife Sheaths. Paying these skills forward really is the greatest pleasure. We now have so many regular students who each time they visit are learning and tuning into their skills. Developing their confidence and knowledge in the world of leather craft all the time. One of the greatest pleasures is hearing students individual reasons and stories as to how they came to be in the studio today from family ties to the leather trade, a treasured item passed on through generations or just an escape from their very different everyday working life. We also learn all the time from these stories and shared experiences.
We will be introducing a new slipper workshop, available to book in house and at the venues we work closely with. One of the first bookings being the North Yorks Art Society, Scarborough. Keep an eye on Craft Courses and their website to book.
#leather #leathercraft #ukhandmade #handmadeleather #leathergift #artisanwork #makedoandmend #repairandrecycle #learnacraft #craft course #nyartschool #guildofmastercraftsmen
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
July
The open studios was a huge success. It was lovely to open the doors and invite so many people in. We sometimes get a little complaisant with the studio but to see it through other peoples eye again it reminds us how magical and quirky a place it is to be. We had so many comments on the organisation of tools and leather and the overload on senses, the smells, the feel of the different leather, the items gifted and collected over the years. It was a great few days.
This Week we spent a day with our friends at The Bowery running a plant hanger workshop, we have the same plant hangers in mass assembly here in the workshop this month. A new shop is due to open on market street in Hebden Bridge called 'Potted' we have been commissioned to make them for their window display but also to showcase their plants and have them available to buy.
August and the rest of the summer is super busy and we are in and out of the studio. We have some availability for workshops in the studio and also on our travels with our fellow craftsmen around Yorkshire. The dates, availability and locations are available to see on our website and via craft courses.
As of yesterday we are in our current new moon phase. If you've noticed a distinct absence of the moon in the sky it's because the moon is now so close to the sun in the sky that none of the face pointing toward Earth is illuminated. This means that the moon is positioned directly between the Earth and Sun, all we can see is the shadowy outline. This phase of the moon i is time for intention setting. Think of the intentions as seeds you plant into the ground and water them through your beliefs and actions. Visualisation also plays a key role in this moon get those glue sticks to hand a create your own vision boards, seeing is believing. Organisation is also a focus, here in the studio we love to make a list, we cherish our day book, it keeps us ticking over and means we don't have to try and remember everything from ordering rivets to replying to emails. Our wall planner is also our go too, we must check it every few minutes. Our tip get pen to paper this week and make notes, lists or start a journal.
#leather #leathercraft #ukhandmade #handmadeleather #leathergift #artisanwork #makedoandmend #repairandrecycle #learnacraft #hebdenbridgeopenstudios #thebowery #potted #newmoon
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Open Studios
This weekend July 7th-9th sees the return of Open Studios in Hebden Bridge, the artists & makers open up their studios to the public for them to come into the places we work, see the products we make and see us at work.
Both the studio and Hebden Bridge has a real buzz around it already this morning and what a glorious day for it too. Here in the studio we have the doors flung open ready to showcase this beautiful work space, tools and materials we use. Also available to view are the beautifully made bags, plant hangers, candle holders and many more all of which can be made on our in house courses and the studios we visit around the country.
We have expanded to selling some vintage and new clothes, shoes and accessories just for this weekend. Any workshop vouchers purchased over the weekend will also receive a 15% discount. All classes for next week are fully booked, we shall be posting a list of availability soon or head to craft courses where you can book throughout the year.
We look forward to welcoming you all in.
#leather #leathercraft #ukhandmade #handmadeleather #leathergift #artisanwork #makedoandmend #repairandrecycle #learnacraft #hebdenbridgeopenstudios
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Summer Solstice
Welcome to today and the summer solstice, the longest day of the year - that means it has the most hours of sunlight. The Summer Solstice is also called the festival solstice or midsummer, occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt towards the sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere.
The significance given to the summer solstice has varied among cultures, but most recognize the event in some way with holidays, festivals, and rituals around that time with themes of religion or fertility. For example, in Sweden, midsummer is one of the year's major holidays when the country closes down as much as during Christmas. In some regions, the summer solstice is seen as the beginning of summer and the end of spring.
July 7th-9th sees the return of Open Studios in Hebden Bridge, the artists & makers open up their studios to the public for them to come in and see them at work. We look forward to welcoming you all in.
We are on our travels to the east coast the 24th & 25th July running tote & tool roll workshops at North Yorks Arts School, Scarborough.
The picture this week is a World War 2 issue GPO telegram office stool, the customer found the frame in an old museum unused and unloved. It had a vinyl seat cover and as you can see the beautifully reconstructed cover is much more fitting for a piece of furniture that has survived the test of time. We used unfinished undyed tooling shoulder, the perfect match.
#leather #leathercraft #ukhandmade #handmadeleather #leathergift #artisanwork #makedoandmend #repairandrecycle #learnacraft #hebdenbridgeopenstudios #nyartsstudio #summersolstice #longestdayoftheyear
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Nancy
In the workshop this week we were commissioned to make a pair of memorabilia bracelets from a dog lead. The owners wanted to keep a piece of their beloved Nancy with them always and we were more than happy to help make this happen.
Saturday was a glorious day to spend up in Heptonstall at the repair café, we had 2 bags, a jacket, belts and even a car seat cover bought in for repair. The next is Saturday 8th July.
Most evenings this week are being spent with Frill & Flounce, the workshops include simple notebook covers and plant hangers, so far everyone has enjoyed them thoroughly.
We couldn't off course end the blog without mentioning the glorious weather, everything just seems so much easier when the sun shines, the workshop doors have been flung open and our resident doggie helpers and collar models, Betsie & Jupiter have enjoyed watching hebden go by from the door way. If your passing by they are both super friendly and happy to receive the attention.
#leather #leathercraft #ukhandmade #handmadeleather #leathergift #artisanwork #makedoandmend #repairandrecycle #learnacraft #frillandflounce #haberdashery #repaircafe #hepptonstall #frill&flounce
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Strawberry Moon
We were treated to a spectacular sight this weekend as the full ''strawberry moon'' lit-up the night sky.
The final full moon of spring 2023 in the northern hemisphere, the ''strawberry moon'' is named after the fruit that ripens at this time of year and not for the colour.
Full moons occur when the sun and moon are forming an opposition aspect to one another in the zodiac. They're also meant to represent the completion of cycles, making it the perfect time to let go of what's no longer serving you. You might not even know who or what is worth releasing just yet but because full moons are a period of illumination, you can expect to make some discoveries during the strawberry moon that will help you close this chapter for good. It may sound scary but think of this as your last spring cleaning task. It is the final full moon of the season after all. Connect with the meaning of the strawberry moon and practice your grounding tasks.
This weekend we shall be back at the repair cafe at Heptonstall School. Please come along and bring your items that need some tlc, it's also a fantastic opportunity to see the filming locations for the new drama on BBC, The Gallows Pole which tells the story of the Cragg Vale Coiners, the 18th-century weavers turned counterfeit forge coiners, led by David Hartley 'king hartley', who is also buried in the church yard amongst the beautiful ruins of the old church at Hepptonstall. The picture we've used for our blog this week contains replicas of the coins and the pouches used by the coiners themselves. The heather comes from a spring taken from that surrounding the bell house, King David's home.
Next week we are spending three evenings at Frill & Flounce in Wyke, Bradford running workshops on plant hangers and notebook covers. We have some limited spaces left head over to their website to book.
#leather #leathercraft #ukhandmade #handmadeleather #leathergift #artisanwork #makedoandmend #repairandrecycle #learnacraft #frillandflounce #haberdashery #craggvalecoiners #repaircafe #hepptonstall
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
From Hebden to Lisbon and back again.
Last week we left the studio in safe hands and visited Lisbon and it stole my heart, I would absolutely suggest to put it on your places to visit list if you have one. Lisbon's postcard - perfect panorama of cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals, a captivating scene crafted over centuries.
Surfing hubs, romantic mountain towns, emerging art destinations and heritage sites all encased within this beautiful place. Most importantly and best of all the sun shone and it was so warm, Vitamin D-tick.
Wherever we travel we seem to always manage to locate the best cafe's to take some time, gather our thoughts and plan the next stop. This trip found us in Cafe Majestic Porto, established in 1921, inside your greeted by the scent of leather upholstery, varnished wood furniture and some magnificent mirrors which lead your eyes up to plaster-decorated ceilings with impressive chandeliers.
Lavender is generally cited as Portugal's national flower, but it's not actually official. Portugal does however have a government recognized national tree, the cork oak. The tree's economic importance to the country led to a citizens petition to the Portuguese parliament to have the tree recognized as so. As we enter another full moon in 15 days the lavender may come in useful to help aid with any interrupted or poor quality nights sleep this full moon can bring with it.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #learnacraft, #portugal, #travels
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
From Hebden to Lisbon and back again.
Last week we left the studio in safe hands and visited Lisbon and it stole my heart, I would absolutely suggest to put it on your places to visit list if you have one. Lisbon's postcard - perfect panorama of cobbled alleyways, ancient ruins and white-domed cathedrals, a captivating scene crafted over centuries.
Surfing hubs, romantic mountain towns, emerging art destinations and heritage sites all encased within this beautiful place. Most importantly and best of all the sun shone and it was so warm, Vitamin D-tick.
Wherever we travel we seem to always manage to locate the best cafe's to take some time, gather our thoughts and plan the next stop. This trip found us in Cafe Majestic Porto, established in 1921, inside your greeted by the scent of leather upholstery, varnished wood furniture and some magnificent mirrors which lead your eyes up to plaster-decorated ceilings with impressive chandeliers.
Lavender is generally cited as Portugal's national flower, but it's not actually official. Portugal does however have a government recognized national tree, the cork oak. The tree's economic importance to the country led to a citizens petition to the Portuguese parliament to have the tree recognized as so. As we enter another full moon in 15 days the lavender may come in useful to help aid with any interrupted or poor quality nights sleep this full moon can bring with it.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #learnacraft, #portugal, #travels
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
NEWS FLASH
The following weekends are available to book via craft courses under Catherine Edwards Leather. These full day workshops are an ideal opportunity to begin learning a new skill, enjoy some quality time with friends or as an excuse to sample the delights of the historic pennine town of Hebden Bridge.
Not only enjoyable you will come away with your choice of your own handmade tote bag, tool roll, journal cover or apron to name a few.
2nd & 3rd June
2nd July
29th & 30th July
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #learnacraft, #creativewithnature, #yorkshire, #craftcoursesyorkshire, #todmorden
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Plant Hangers at Bowery - July 15th
Make yourself a beautiful plant hanger in this workshop using the softest leather each piece is carefully chosen for its quality and perfection of finish. The skills covered in this workshop include strap cutting, punching, riveting, embossing and finishing. Suitable for beginners or more experienced.
Bowery is a showcase for artists and designer-makers and is located in Headingley Leeds. Please see www.thebowery.org
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #learnacraft, #creativewithnature, #yorkshire, #craftcoursesyorkshire, #todmorden
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Creative with Nature
Our next upcoming workshop is in collaboration with Joe at Creative with nature in Todmorden. The workshop will be held over the weekend of 20th-21st May. To book head to www.creativewithnature.co.uk - the workshops and modern craft.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #learnacraft, #creativewithnature, #yorkshire, #craftcoursesyorkshire, #todmorden
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Sharp practices
A little while ago we were carefully handed a Khanjali dagger. It required a new knife sheath as the original had been lost or damaged.
In the 18th and 19th centuries the production of Khanjali was at a high level in the Transcaucasia. Tbilisi was especially distinguished and well-known, from where such tools were supplied to other mountain people of Caucasus.
In the first half of the 19th Century, Georgian Elizarashvili's family were the most famous weaponry blacksmiths not only in Caucasus but also in Iran, Turkey and Russia. The Elizarashvili family lived in Tbilisi & inherited the family secrets of blacksmithing from their ancestors, this knowledge and skills he passed to his sons. The family maintained strictly the secrets of processing steel, but in 1828 Karaman shared the secret by order of the Russian emperor Nicholas I, and in return received a gold medal (with Anna ribbon) and 1000 Chevonets (high-value gold coins).
The heritage craft associations published a red list in 2017 it was the first report of its kind to rank traditional crafts by the likelihood they would survive to the next generation which from blacksmithing to basketry, from weaving to woodturning, there is an incredible range of heritage craft skills in the UK and some of the best craftspeople in the world. But many of these skills are in the hands of individuals who have been unable to make provision to pass them on.
Here in the workshop we have upcoming commissions which include a correspondence ledger complete with silver corners, a binocular case and hat box. We shall share them as we go along.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #theprincesfoundation, #traditionalbuildingskills, #traditionalcraftskills, #blacksmithing, #heritagecrafts, #redlist
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Silver Stories
We had the great pleasure of attending a gig with the silver reserve at the trades club in hebden bridge this week and again on Saturday in Leeds. Matthew is just inspiring, the songs are so gentle and just full of images. On the same silver theme...
Our project this week involved a custom made mini saddle bag, a special request from a lady who attends our Thursday evening workshops. It was for her sister's birthday and to be used for a special journey abroad.
The bag shape was cut in natural tooling shoulder and then sprayed silver before assembly.
Frill & Flounce hosted 4 workshops over the weekend and we met some wonderful students who made plant hangers, card holders and notebook covers. Hannah has created a beautiful and practical workspace situated in the centre of Wyke village in a wonderful 16th century listed manor house. They run craft and sewing workshops with a dedicated sewing studio downstairs, a creative workshop upstairs and a small room at the entrance of the building where they stock haberdashery, courses are run for adults and children.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #frill&flounce, #freecommunityclasses, #freecommunityworkshops, #silverreserve #creatinghappymemories #alternativefolk
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Pick Pockets
We've had the pleasure of organising some short drop in workshops making the beautiful multi- functional pick pockets with Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield they will be running throughout the year.
In the 1800's, pick-pocketing was often viewed as an art form. Pocket pickers were seen as skilled individuals and the knowledge passed on to younger generations, this particular skill set I'm sure you'll agree would be much better to pass on.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #sheffieldmuseum
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
Across Seas, Mountains & Desert
This week in the workshop we have lovingly finished the repair of the North African foot ottoman it was one of a pair that were bought home by the clients father and holds huge sentimental value. We have certainly enjoyed admiring it in the workshop over these weeks and contemplating all the things it would have seen (if only it could talk)! Adding our own bit of history into it with a recycled coffee bean sack to help keep its shape.
It led us to contemplate what else and who else maybe on the move every single year and how yet the distance seems to so far its amazing how accessible the world can be.
The willow warbler is one of our smallest birds. Yet this delicate little creature performs and amazing feat of strength and endurance. Each year it flies all the way to the UK from Africa, travelling more than 5000 miles across seas, mountains and desert to arrive in time for spring. As if that's not enough, in autumn it flies all the way back !
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #migrationroutes #aviansuperhighways #birdday
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 24th february
we received this lovely review this week, it was such a pleasure to work with Kevin...
5 star experience. I had a fab day with Catherine. Very relaxing, interesting and memorable. We got to make some really nice and useful items, which will last forever! I will be booking another day in the coming weeks. Thank you Catherine - Happy birthday this weekend!
the pic is of a cufflink box which we're working on in red leather for a customer in Belgium. it can be used for watches and other jewellery items. ordering is available on our etsy page.
we have lots of one-to-one workshops in the next two weeks. you can catch us at the repair cafe at heptonstall school on saturday 11th March. our next bookable pop-up workshop is at kelham island museum in sheffield. leather stacking bowls are the project on offer...www.sheffieldmuseums.org.uk
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #sheffieldmuseum
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 18th february
the workshop calendar for this year is filling up fast with new venues and new projects on offer...we're going to a add a calendar to the website so people can easily see what's going on
travel must be in people's thoughts at the moment as we've had 3 one-to-one workshops in the last week making travellers bags. if you'd like to see an image head over to @catherineedwardsworkshop on instagram. the pic on here is one of our own.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #leathertraveller'sbag
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 10th february
we're in a recycling and repairing kind of space this week...this vintage buckle collection given to cathy over the years is inspiring creative ideas for new leases of life.
the wonderful repair cafe at heptonstall school is on again tomorrow. what will turn up this time?
on the workbench we have a majorcan rafia basket, awaiting repair of its leather handles. there is also a Nursey original sheepskin coat that requires patching. the designs for a travelling jewellery case are also in progress, commissioned for a big birthday present.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #repairandrecycle , #leathersaddlebag , #repaircafe , #vintagebuckles
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 3rd february
hooray for february! we made it.
it's a full moon this weekend which explains a lot...
we've developed a new course for a new venue, the bowery, home of creativity in headingley, leeds. it's a beautiful leather plant hanger, see image. it will be on sunday 7th may, places are bookable through the bowery, www.thebowery.org
another upcoming course is running on saturday 18th march at kelham island museum in sheffield. there will be 45 minute repeated sessions throughout the day to create simple, functional and super cute leather bowls. bookings through sheffieldmuseums.org.uk
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #planthanger , #leathersaddlebag , #thebowery
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 27th january
the end of the longest month in the history of the world is in sight! and we've spotted our first snowdrops! in spite of every extreme of weather being thrown at us in the last four weeks...
on tuesday, we visited globe arts in slaithwaite (globearts.org.uk). what a haven of creativity and inspiration. so looking forward to teaching there, beginning with half day workshops on all sorts of exciting projects. dates to follow
this week's image is of a student's work in a one to one workshop this wednesday. it is a small shoulder bag using a vintage valet's grooming kit as a frame of reference. the leather was used inside out to give the bag a patina. simply stunning
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #leathersaddlebag , #globearts
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 20th january
oh dear...the crossed fingers didn't work...cathy fell down a hole caused by roadworks last night and had to be rescued by a very kind passer-by! not only is her pride dented but her nose is too! obviously a photo would be unkind...
before this calamity occurred, lots of teaching has gone on at our workshop this week. people are feeling creative in this new year phase.
we have an exciting new commission this week for a top flight chef. we are producing a leather knife roll using oiled buckskin leather, specially sourced from our specialist local tannery. watch this space for pics.
repairs requests have rolled in this week, including a hat box and a doctor's bag (pictured with cathy's new walking stick!)
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #leathertotebag , #yorkshirecrafthouse
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 13th january
given the day and date, we have our fingers crossed which makes doing leather work pretty tricky!
we're catching up on repairs this week including the replacement of a handle on a 1940s opera bag, pictured. an inherited treasure that deserves some tlc for one of our favourite customers.
we've visited the school of sew at sunnybank mills in farsley this week. watch this space for new and exclusive courses...
the next course at the craft house, bingley is a full day workshop to craft a leather tote bag. places are bookable at https://www.yorkshirecrafthouse.com/
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #leathertotebag , #yorkshirecrafthouse
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 6th january
happy new year from us here at catherine edwards hq!
we're looking forward to lots of new projects at new venues and deepening connections with our current partners.
our diary is filling up with customers who have received courses as gifts for christmas, giving us lots of opportunities to meet new people which is always a joy.
these long, dark nights are perfect for getting creative which is why we are going to carry on running the monday night evening class. all sorts of projects are available, suitable for all levels including absolute beginners. DM us for 10% off your first class.
blog 19th december
the beautiful frozen world has gone for now and we're looking forward to the winter solstice and the prospect of longer days.
the last christmas parcels have been sent and the tiny reindeer have all gone to their new homes so we feel like we're on the home straight...
a happy christmas to all. stay safe and keep cosy
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 9th december
these frosty mornings feel so crisp and clean, hebden bridge has an alpine air at the moment!
we've been out and about foraging for festive foliage for our hand crafted wreaths. placed around our leather candle holders, they make a stylish centrepiece for your Christmas table. made to order, just drop us a message.
'hebden makes christmas' open studios event last weekend was glorious. lots of people came to see us, the makers' market went very well and many tiny reindeer found new homes.
if you are looking for a thoughtful christmas gift for a loved one, our gift vouchers are beautifully presented and can be used to purchase leather craft courses as well as our own products.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #leathercandleholder , #openstudios
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 5th december
christmas giveaway
win a mini herd of tiny reindeer!
like the post on insta and recommend to a friend and you will be entered into a draw to win these delightful festive decorations.
merry christmas from us to you x
blog 2nd december
brooklyn studios is all a buzz as we get ready for hebden's annual seasonal open studios event! this weekend sees us throw open our studio doors for all to experience our artistic and crafting world. we have herds of tiny leather reindeer for sale at this event.
lynda thomas's impressive exhibition of lino printing at nanholme mill,todmorden, OL14 6DA is on this weekend, not last weekend as we mistakenly blogged.
we're pleased that the diary is filling up with workshops at our studio, kith homestead, the craft house at bingley and the whitaker at rawtenstall.
there have been some wonderful reviews recently on craftcourses.com from people who have booked our courses via the site. it's a brilliant platform for all things creative and their vouchers make marvellous christmas presents.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #leathercandleholder , #openstudios
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 25th november
the festive season is upon us here in hebden bridge.
the town tree is a whopper this year! there are beautiful christmassy ice sculptures to behold at the town hall too. they have been created by local talent, sand in your eye (https://www.sandinyoureye.co.uk/)
come and have a look and combine your visit with open studios next weekend 3rd/4th december. a perfect opportunity to buy christmas gifts from hebden's fantastic makers. there are locations all over hebden bridge. our lovely little leather reindeer will be available to buy at the workshop.
another interesting event very worthy of your attention is lynda thomas's print exhibition at nanholme mill, todmorden, OL14 6DA. lynda makes lino prints featuring local architecture. there will be prints, post cards, handmade books and cards available to buy. refreshments are available at the cafe plus work by other local artists.
on a sad note, we lost lovely old workshop dog jess this week. our dear friend has left a big hole.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #eveningclass , #christmaswreath , #wreathmaking , #leathercandleholder
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 18th november
we're starting to feel quite festive with the first christmas wreath and candle holder workshop coming up this weekend. it's always a pleasure to work at the lovely venue of the whitaker museum and art gallery, www.thewhitaker.org. much gathering and preparation means we're fully loaded with wreath making materials; beautiful ribbons, dried grasses, foliage and berries.
tonight's excitement is also on a festive theme, 20 minute pop-up workshops are on offer at the millenium gallery in sheffield. come along and make a tiny leather reindeer to hang on your christmas tree. we're also offering this on saturday 3rd december at open studios in our workshop...a satisfying creative burst!
coming up on 26th november is another opportunity to make a christmas wreath and candle holder, this time at the kith homestead education centre just outside leeds. kith is an outdoors-focused place of community and learning, running events for all ages. our outdoor workshop offers you the chance to make your own unique natural leather and reclaimed wood candle holder and willow wreath. booking is through kith at www.kithhomestead.com
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #eveningclass , #christmaswreath , #wreathmaking , #leathercandleholder
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 11th november
feeling reflective today, honouring those who have served and those who have lost loved ones. by weird coincidence, we're unpacking these sam brown studs, which are component parts of a belt named after Sir Samuel James Brown VC. It was standard army issue uniform between WW1 and WW2.
The studs are the front fasteners on the back packs currently under construction in an evening class.
tomorrow is the repair cafe at Heptonstall primary school from 10 til 1. anything and everything can be fixed! www.facebook.com/HeptonstallRepairCafe/
on friday, we're participating in an exciting venture called craft jam at sheffield's millenium gallery. it features craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, mini workshops, a pay bar and cake! little reindeer will be our project.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #repaircafe , #childrensworkshop , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #eveningclass , #leatherbackpack , #northlightstudio
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 4th november
with the change of the clocks, the turning of the year becomes more apparent. samhain brought wild gales and swirling leaves and the first real frost.
repairs have come in and are on their way out. the briefcase in last week's blog was handed back to it's very happy owner in a much rejuvenated form.
2 students completed HUGE projects this week. mel's briefcase satchel was created for her daughter. it's destination is mexico via london. theresa's traveller's bag, made for a special someone, is featured in the picture. made from full grain missouri hide in coal black.
there are three 1 to 1 classes this week. they make wonderful christmas gifts for creative loved ones. gift vouchers are available and are beautifully presented.
on 3rd december, there is a christmas candle decoration workshop taking place at the creative hub that is the leeds craft centre and design gallery. think tiny reindeer, jingle bells, textured ribbon and miniature christmas trees. places are available through us or www.craftcentreleeds.co.uk, www.leedsinspired.co.uk, www.eventbrite.co.uk, www.visitleeds.co.uk
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #leatherbackpack , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather , #eveningclass , #weeklyclass , #visitleeds
blog 31st october
in true halloween style, we've been frightening ourselves stupid with the latest danny robins podcast #thewitchfarm. there's a live listen along this evening on twitter at 9pm for anyone brave enough!
there's been lots of pumpkin action here in hebden bridge featuring a trail and pumpkin sculptures by @sandinyoureye.
a really enjoyable weekend was spent making satchels at the craft house in bingley last weekend. have a look at catherineedwardsworkshop account on insta for pics.
we had a mother and son dog collar and belt making workshop on tuesday, pics on the above insta account.
our favourite project of the week has to be these handsome slippers. a collaborative effort between joes toes slipper kits (www.joestoes.co.uk) and ourselves which is under development as a future workshop...
the backpack evening class begins tonight. late starters always welcome.
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #leatherbackpack , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather , #eveningclass , #weeklyclass
blog 21st october
ah the power of social media! we received an order for a tote bag identical to the one featured in last week's insta post. the customer had seen it and thought it would be perfect for their mother.
it's been a busy week for orders, teaching and course enquiries. a last minute enquiry on tuseday led to a full day workshop learning new leather techniques and belt-making.
places are filling up on the leather back pack making evening course. please message soon if you would like to join us. featured above is an example of what you could make.
the final week of the young northlights group saw a wonderful selection of journal covers being produced. it's been a really successful six weeks, in terms of the beautiful outcomes and our creative journey. so many lovely ideas to make and do!
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #leatherbackpack , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather , #eveningclass , #weeklyclass
blog 14th october
we've been super busy with prep work this week for workshops of different kinds and sizes including leather bowl making. we're trying to get ahead of ourselves for the festive season.
wall pods were this week's project at the young northlighters group. each young person created three of the little beauties!
a private belt making workshop produced some beautiful chunky leather men's belts. enquiries for one to one classes are always welcome. this type of class often encompasses a chance to be particularly creative and imaginative. it makes an extra special gift which we are all thinking about in the run up to Christmas.
today's image is of the finished tote bag with the romantic backstory. it's in sedgewick's bridle leather in australian nut which is a truly autumnal shade, perfect for the season. we hope the customer loves it as much as we do.
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #leatherbackpack , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather , #eveningclass , #weeklyclass
blog 7th october
much fun has been had this week!
we made phone holders at the young northlighters group on tuesday after school. some amazing combinations of colour and texture were created...it's fantastic to see young creative minds at work. we spent a lot of time hammering things! there's a varied program through the year including ceramics, painting, willow sculpture, textiles and print. if your 11-16 year old would like to join, get in touch. either dm us or @northlights_studio on insta.
we had a brilliant outing to kith homestead located near harlow carr RHS garden, where learning is taken into an outdoor environment. kith's ethos is to combine being in nature with learning creatively. they provide workshops for all ages leading you through a variety of craft skills. we have programmed in a candle holder and wreath making workshop in the woods. a fire will be lit, hot drinks and cake will be served as yuletide creations are made. it's on saturday 26th november, again dm us for more details or @kithhomestead on insta
upcoming workshops include a mother and son 1 to 1 belt making workshop here on wednesday 12th october. in sheffield we have a rolling session of pop-up workshops throughout the day at kelham island, the industrial museum, on saturday 15th october more details on www.simt.co.uk
towards the end of the month, we have another day of pop-up workshops at the yorkshire craft house in bingley. we will be making leather phone holders, perfect for when you don't have big pockets or want to go bag-free! places available through @yorkshirecrafthouse or us. it's on friday 28th october and they're 2 and a half hours long.
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #leatherbackpack , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather , #eveningclass , #weeklyclass
blog 30th september
this week we made candleholders at the young northlights group, using inks to paint onto the leather and stamps to add decorative touches. there are 2 places available...please message us
we're in the process of satisfying an international enquiry this week for a chap who wants a duplicate of a much loved bag for his partner. how romantic! it's a beautiful classic tote bag in australian nut brown leather. he's coming across continents to pick it up.
in planning, are 2 new venues for courses. kith homestead in leeds (www.kithhomestead.com) and the globe in slaithwaite (www.globearts.org.uk). watch this space for forthcoming dates
booking for the back pack making evening class is now live on craftcourses.com...only 3 places are left!
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #leatherbackpack , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather , #eveningclass , #weeklyclass
blog 23rd september
!!evening class!!
our exclusive Back Pack making evening class begins on monday 31st october for 6 weeks.
make your own personalised Back Pack using beautiful British leather in a natural colour and finish. with solid brass or chrome fittings, the Back Pack is large enough for laptops, tablets and all your daily must haves.
small, friendly and supervised individually by Catherine, this workshop is a great way to introduce yourself to working with leather as it covers a range of techniques and skills, with tools and materials provided.
brilliant as a gift for the creative in your life or as a productive and stimulating class for yourself.
this week's young northlights club produced stunning leather plant potholders on tuesday. places are still available, please contact northlightstudio.co.uk or us
looking forward to the handmade parade on sunday!
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #leatherbackpack , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather , #eveningclass , #weeklyclass
blog september 16th
a brilliant time was had all round at tuesday's young northlights club. the budding creatives produced a gorgeous selection of leather bowls. northlightstudio.co.ok
as seen in a previous blog, this is the messenger bag in missouri full grain hide in burnt brown. completed and now received by the very happy customer.
the tool roll workshop at creative with nature in todmorden went smoothly. everyone enjoyed the new cafe facilities, especially the yummy cakes. creativewithnature.co.uk
upcoming workshops include a tote bag workshop at king street studios on 30th october (re-arranged from 6th october). limited places so do get in touch if you'd like one. kingstreetstudios.art
also on 25th september, there is a dog collar and lead workshop at bingley at the craft house. yorkshirecrafthouse.com
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #messengerbag , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog september 16th
a brilliant time was had all round at tuesday's young northlights club. the budding creatives produced a gorgeous selection of leather bowls. northlightstudio.co.ok
as seen in a previous blog, this is the messenger bag in missouri full grain hide in burnt brown. completed and now received by the very happy customer.
the tool roll workshop at creative with nature in todmorden went smoothly. everyone enjoyed the new cafe facilities, especially the yummy cakes. creativewithnature.co.uk
upcoming workshops include a tote bag workshop at king street studios on 30th october (re-arranged from 6th october). limited places so do get in touch if you'd like one. kingstreetstudios.art
also on 25th september, there is a dog collar and lead workshop at bingley at the craft house. yorkshirecrafthouse.com
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #creativewithnature , #leatherbowls , #messengerbag , #leathertoolroll , #totebag , #yorkshirecraft, #dayclass, #craftworkshop, #ukhandmade, #ukleather
email: cathy@ce-leathergoods.com
mobile: 07720 715 418
twitter: @cathybags
fb: @catherine edwards leather
website: ce-leathergoods.com
insta: catherineedwardsleather
blog 9th september
despite the sad times we are living through, we are quietly and determinedly working on.
do you have a budding creative youngster?
in collaboration with northlight studios, we are running children's creative workshops on tuesdays 4pm to 5.30pm from 13th september. £10 per session. all the sessions are run by professional artists or craftspeople practising in the valley. we'll be using leather or pleather to create a different item each week.
please contact emma griffiths info@northlightstudios.co.uk or dm us.
back by popular demand...saga rucksack making evening classes starting monday october 31st. more details to follow but do contact us if you're keen as places are limited.
another reminder that this weekend is the first repair cafe after the summer break at heptonstall. gather up any leather items that need some professional tlc and bring them to us! https://www.facebook.com/HeptonstallRepairCafe/
we will be teaching a community workshop at garthorpe village hall near goole on sunday 17th september. there are a variety of options including purse and key fob, wallet and key chain, tool roll and belt. places are bookable through bridget.elliott@hotmail.co.uk.
#leather , #leathercraft , #ukhandmade , #handmadeleather , #leathergift , #artisanwork , #repaircafe , #childrensworkshop , #makedoandmend , #communityworkshop , #eveningclass , #leatherbackpack , #northlightstudio
blog 2nd september
after an amazing summer of sunshine and smiles, it feels like we're gearing up for seasonal change and setting our house in order.
a dog collar and lead making workshop is scheduled at king street studios, https://www.kingstreetstudios.art/, in lancaster for this sunday 4th. the places are all full but there will be courses at this venue on the first sunday of each month. coming up is a leather tote bag and then a tool roll in november.
the joyous return of the https://www.facebook.com/HeptonstallRepairCafe/ at heptonstall school will happen on saturday 10th september.
at creative with nature, https://www.creativewithnature.co.uk/, there is a tool roll making course on sunday 11th september...it's always good to be in such a lovely venue which has been enhanced with a new cafe. places are filled for this one but there are some left for 12th and 13th november.
dates are starting to go in the diary for next year...courses make a fabulous gift for christmas!
blog
thursday 5th august
festival season
lots of people are enjoying music and culture in the open air at the moment. blue dot festival was awesome!
the studio is still busy though and workshops are continuing. last week at the craft house, bingley was our tote bag making session.
we've also rejuvenated our online shop at etsy.com/uk/shop/CELeathergoodsShop and we're re-investigating folksy.com as another platform.
blog
thursday 14th july
as good as new
last week's repair cafe at heptonstall was delightful: people brought all sorts of items for our attention. cathy and harriett repaired the webbing of one of a pair of antique airbnb breakfast window chairs; a delicate watch strap's snapped buckle was fixed (featured); one customer brought a handbag in, and cathy just happened to have a matching colour of leather to repair its strap; a pair of snow boots were repaired - their loops now fixed and ready for wintry action. repair commissions often come from the cafe, and this week brought a church organist's leather music case into the workshop - previously bust at the seams - now sewn and oiled to as good as new. cathy used her new fave product - the pleasingly-fragranced otter wax from tinker and fix.
blog
friday 8th july 2022
art installations....(?)
last weekend brought a lot of visitors through the open-studios doors of brooklyn's workshops and art spaces. some came just for the rare opportunity to be invited into the cool, comforting interior of cathy's girl cave, admiring her lifetime's collection of tools of every description. some, being in art-mode, even wondered if the beauty of her neat and orderly display was an art installation in itself! others came bargain hunting for lynda thomas' cards, prints and framed art, or for cathy's leatherwork. the displays and descriptions of cathy's course options proved so popular that every single printed flyer was taken by those considering booking a beginner course later in the year. a local amateur photographer spent some time observing cathy making at her workbench. we'll look forward to sharing the shot he captured. there have been commissions following on - a couple of belts, and one request to recreate in leather a well-loved messenger bag.
brooklyn monday classes ticked along nicely: the large laptop case is completed, and some fettling continues on the slippers; one student, newly moved up from london, joined class to shorten a lovely red belt she had recently bought online. another saltaire student made a brick-red tool roll for his woodworking chisels (featured).
cathy has also completed a repair to a binoculars case.
heptonstall repair cafe is this saturday between 10 am and 1pm.
shout out for chris sands' newly published totally locally book, 'the economics of being nice' - a manefesto for those committed to making their small town a little better.
blog
friday 1st july 2022
Open-Studios Time
hebden bridge open studios summer event, from friday 1st July - sunday 3rd, is well underway, with interested visitors already drifting into brooklyn studios workshops.
hebden bridge, famous for its art scene, is a vibrant upper calder valley town. the public are invited into the workshops of over 80 of its artists and makers who have taken time to curate their personal exhibitions. this year's open studios offers a behind-the-scenes peek at spaces not usually open to the public. there are originals to buy, works in progress to admire, and chances to commission something unique. come hunt the bargains to be found!
catherine edwards (brochure listing 10) and lynda thomas (brochure listing 15) are sharing the space of cathy's workshop, within the broader brooklyn studios group - (venue 10).
cathy is displaying her handmade, luxury leather goods, and showing workshop and course options available to the public.
lynda, artist and print maker, is displaying her lino cuts inspired by local views, and places visited both near and far. there are postcards and hand-made greetings cards also to buy.
browse all the individual artists online, and check out the group studios and listed categories.
friday 1st july 2022
Open-Studios Time
hebden bridge open studios summer event, from friday 1st July - sunday 3rd, is well underway, with interested visitors already drifting into brooklyn studios workshops.
hebden bridge, famous for its art scene, is a vibrant upper calder valley town. the public are invited into the workshops of over 80 of its artists and makers who have taken time to curate their personal exhibitions. this year's open studios offers a behind-the-scenes peek at spaces not usually open to the public. there are originals to buy, works in progress to admire, and chances to commission something unique. come hunt the bargains to be found!
catherine edwards (brochure listing 10) and lynda thomas (brochure listing 15) are sharing the space of cathy's workshop, within the broader brooklyn studios group - (venue 10).
cathy is displaying her handmade, luxury leather goods, and showing workshop and course options available to the public.
lynda, artist and print maker, is displaying her lino cuts inspired by local views, and places visited both near and far. there are postcards and hand-made greetings cards also to buy.
browse all the individual artists online, and check out the group studios and listed categories.
blog
friday 24th june 2022
here, there and everywhere
our students' items are travelling far and wide this week: the slippers have been completed, found to fit perfectly, and have hot-footed it out the door to their fireside in luddendenfoot; after three intense extra days' workshop time, the holiday bag is heading off to a family member in new zealand; the knobbly-bobbly black bag, also for a family member, is being taken to mexico.
cathy has spent the week completing her contribution to the hebden bridge open studios. look out for it next weekend hidden somewhere in one of the town's artisans' shop windows...location number 37. at brooklyn studios that weekend, cathy will be displaying the products and course descriptions for the items you can make on her courses. come along to check those out, and the work of our other studio artists. while here, personalise your own key fob with your initials.
a couple, celebrating a birthday with a day's outing to hebden, had a joyous and jolly session making tool rolls together.
upcoming workshops include an already fully booked session in a month's time at the craft house, bingley.
the next heptonstall repair cafe is on saturday 9th july.
friday 24th june 2022
here, there and everywhere
our students' items are travelling far and wide this week: the slippers have been completed, found to fit perfectly, and have hot-footed it out the door to their fireside in luddendenfoot; after three intense extra days' workshop time, the holiday bag is heading off to a family member in new zealand; the knobbly-bobbly black bag, also for a family member, is being taken to mexico.
cathy has spent the week completing her contribution to the hebden bridge open studios. look out for it next weekend hidden somewhere in one of the town's artisans' shop windows...location number 37. at brooklyn studios that weekend, cathy will be displaying the products and course descriptions for the items you can make on her courses. come along to check those out, and the work of our other studio artists. while here, personalise your own key fob with your initials.
a couple, celebrating a birthday with a day's outing to hebden, had a joyous and jolly session making tool rolls together.
upcoming workshops include an already fully booked session in a month's time at the craft house, bingley.
the next heptonstall repair cafe is on saturday 9th july.
blog
friday 17th june 2022
backpack hack, backpack back
it's been a pleasantly quiet week in the workshop with the regular students attending to their individual projects: one student continues to make items in green leather for her son - document case, book wallet, and now at his latest request, a journal cover for his professorial papers; an extra class was scheduled for the slippers, which are all sewn together now, apart from the heels.
visitors to heptonstall repair cafe brought handbags for new handles, walking boots for back loops, and a last-minute, sequined, almost-damaged-beyond-repair school backpack that needed a clever over-stitching hack to get it back in action. the previously repaired backpack was also returned to its owner.
we've had a mulberry bag in the workshop for restoration (featured). the replacement panels and strap have been treated with gorgeous otter wax, kindly provided by last week's student's online business, tinker and fix.
blog
friday 10th june 2022
for the common good
one student, from the midlands, who has his own online store, tinker and fix - tools and equipment for makers, menders and growers - is with us in the studio at the moment making a leather tool roll, whilst also broadening his own skills. earlier in the week, two friends made aprons, a couple made dog collars, and one student cleverly made a very attractive tourderms traveller's bag... in a single day!
brooklyn monday and thursday classes this week included a red bag, a version of a max mara belt; the second slipper is now almost finished; our most imaginative of students (he of leather motorcycle cover, sofa seat cushion and large laptop bag) has started his latest project - restoring a ceremonial masonic regalia case, inherited from a second world war veteran decorated with the Victoria Cross.
at heptonstall repair cafe this coming weekend, the restored rucksack and thonged purse will be returned. cathy is also talking with todmorden makery about volunteering for their repair cafe, as being involved in this national movement is proving a most enjoyable and worthwhile investment.
the next hebden bridge open studios is 1st - 3rd july. pictured here are cathy's key fobs for brooklyn studios' visitors to personalise with their initials. pick up your guide from brooklyn studios, the town hall and shops of hebden to the 80+ local artists and makers exhibiting their creative work. the week before that weekend, look out for cathy's images in the windows of over 40 hebden cafes and bars, art galleries and independent shops, taking part in an art trail - for grown ups who like a challenge.
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friday 27th may 2022
new to you
1:1s and classes have been well attended throughout this week and weekend:
one student completed a beautiful, red backpack over the two days of a weekend; another from kilkenny in ireland, visiting her daughters locally, made an apron one tuesday, and a tool roll the following day. she is a multi-disciplinary sculptress, spending long hours in her own workshop, so used the japanese style of crossed apron straps with keeper at the back, which relieves the pressure that can be caused by a neck strap (featured photo); the monday class was full, with the first slipper completed and the second one now begun.
the repair cafe movement, although voluntary, has been generating a good number of follow-on restoration projects - a backpack in need of replacement straps, and a satchel requiring a complete refurb. the child's pouffe has now had its red leather central harlequin pattern fixed.
the next heptonstall repair cafe is on saturday 11th june. bring along your beloved and well-loved leather items to be given a new lease of life.
happily, the jumble sale raised £250, which has been donated to calder community cares 4 ukraine, who are using it towards a meal for guest visitors of local calderdale hosts; a ukrainian band (from todmorden!) will be providing the entertainment to accompany their traditional eastern european meal.
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friday 20th may 2022
slipperoo
we've had some brilliant workshops these last few weeks - with over 40 participants making colourful key fobs at Sheffield Museums. it was a great day out for many families - the children especially enjoying the creative activity.
people are becoming more aware that cathy volunteers at heptonstall repair cafe, and last week's session was busy with cathy and harriett repairing bags, a watch strap and a pair of boots. one customer brought his son's leather pouffe. it's in the workshop now awaiting cathy's repair to one of the central red panels.
the opera bag is very much underway (cathy is tackling the tricky corners now), as are the student's slippers, which now have their leather uppers and straps sewn in place (featured). the knife in the photo (repurposed from a transit van coiled spring) and 'kev the skull' are provided by brian at BC Woodworks.
here are three of our recent reviews:
"Thoroughly enjoyed my workshop and love the bag we made. Great teacher and so easy to chat to. So glad she had some spare reading glasses too as I realised I’d left mine at home! Cathy had some great suggestions and clearly has a great eye for detail. I’d love to come back and make something else! Will be recommending the course to all of my creative friends."
claire, may 2022
"Just a quick message to say my family and I really enjoyed our key fob making session this morning at Sheffield. The tutor was lovely and gave everyone attention and ensured we all made good quality products. Thank you."
tracy, may 2022
"We have both gained some good skills and knowledge from the course and would totally recommend it.
Liz and I both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Liz is really pleased with her art roll and I was very happy getting all my bits to a point where I could finish at home.
Thanks again to you all."
carl, april 2022
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friday 6th may 2022
elvis has left the building
a number of commissions have been delivered and collected from the workshop this week, including the large, black saddlebag. In fact, while out shopping, wearing her own, cathy bumped into the recipient, also wearing hers!
the spring green satchel has been picked up, and was really appreciated; happily, the slightly new shade was loved even more than the original it replaced.
the tiny toldbol bag in unfinished tooling leather has been delivered in time for the customer's trip to portugal. it was sprayed in silver, and designed with experimental, simple, quick-release catch fittings. the result? "Big E" - a small but mighty piece of holiday bling.
a replica pair of opera bags are the next commissioned items on the workshop bench for this week ahead.
it's heptonstall repair again this saturday, 10am - 1pm, held at the school.
there is another jumble sale on sunday 15th june at hope baptist church, hebden bridge, 12 midday – 3pm, fundraising in aid of ukrainian relief.
upcoming workshops include:
saturday 7th may, morning brooklyn studios taster session
friday 13th may craft house, burnley belt and hip flask
saturday 14th may sheffield museums key fobs
21st and 22nd may creative with nature backpack
saturday 28th may salts mill, saltaire tool roll
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friday 29th april 2022
new to you
it's been a busy week in the workshop with replicas, replacements, repairs and new commissions:
one of our brooklyn studio students made a replica of her mother's leather opera bag. she made hers with a tan outer and a rich, dark purple gusset. it has been so admired recently, that she has now commissioned cathy to make one for her daughter and another for a friend.
some years ago, one customer had cathy make a satchel in a particularly unusual dark green. when it was unfortunately stolen from her van, her father asked cathy to make a replacement. that particular green though has been a bit tricky to source and replace.
one scottish customer, bequeathed a large, leather, working waistcoat, asked cathy to adjust it to fit him better. he is intending to use it under his fisherman's jacket when out on his trips on the lochs.
a large, black saddlebag commission has been completed and is now ready to be collected.
a brother and sister came to the workshop to celebrate his 40th birthday: she made a journal cover, and he celebrated by making a belt pouch for his keys...for his train!
today we have a student over from the wirral, making her boxer dog, ernie, and new collar and lead.
there is a jumble sale this sunday at hope baptist church, hebden bridge, 12 midday – 3pm, fundraising in aid of ukrainian relief.
upcoming workshops include:
saturday 30th april salts mill, saltaire tote bag
sunday 1st may creative with nature roll
friday 13th may craft house, burnley belt and hip flask
saturday 14th may sheffield museums key fobs
21st and 22nd may creative with nature backpack
saturday 28th may salts mill, saltaire tool roll
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friday 8th april 2022
brave soles
it's been wall-to-wall workshops all this week with students confidently taking on increasingly complex projects: last friday we had a father-daughter combination in the workshop making a backpack and tool roll/pencil case; at the king street studios, lancaster on sunday, a small, intimate group made aprons, including one black apron for gardening, and a yellow one for print-making; a semi-retired husband and wife couple redeemed their ce leather goods christmas voucher to each other by making his and hers belts.
brooklyn studio class projects continue to come along nicely: this week, the adventurous slipper making has now lined them with soft pigskin, and is ready to attach ankle straps and sew the uppers to the soles.
this week has also brought the chance to be alongside some skilled artisans and craftspeople - including a blacksmith, a sculptor and an avian vet.
upcoming workshops are:
16th april, artworks, halifax, aprons
24th april, craft house, bingley, tool roll
we have a poorly pup this week: miss jupiter is seeing the vet about her upset tummy as we speak.
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friday 1st april 2022
workshop season
workshop season is going especially well at the moment: at the whitaker last week we made black, pigskin leather aprons (featured); a husband and wife made leather candle holders on saturday; at brooklyn studios monday class the slippers continued to come along nicely to the next stage. there was an ipad case, and small saddle bag with cute button keyring in matching purple leather.
cathy herself is working on a saddle bag, and has a new commission for another tiny one in silver leather. she is currently researching what her materials options are. she is also restoring a friend's father's wallet, using linen thread for the thonging.
the following workshops are coming up:
3 april king street studios, lancaster aprons
6 april artworks, halifax aprons
24 april craft house, bingley tool roll
30 april salts, mill, saltaire tote bag
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friday 25th march
action! distraction
there is plenty to do in the workshop including starting a lovely order for a leather obi belt (for a japanese kimono), but what with the distractions of the bright daffodils, brooklyn studios' twig-wielding nesting jackdaws, the nourishing new intensity of the sun's warmth, the excitement of the Happy Valley film crew's presence in hebden, and a special request to repair an unusual item... we don't seem to be able to focus much ;-)
hopefully this weekend's courses will bring some clarity:
saturday candle-holder making at brooklyn studios; sunday aprons at the whitaker.
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friday 18th march 2022
tell it like it is
this week cathy has received a craft courses students' choice award: the gold certificate of excellence is awarded in recognition of excellent student reviews.
so what have students said?
there are interesting tools and techniques available to use and practice with; cathy's courses offer a great introduction to working with leather in a hands-on, creative workshop; cathy herself, in addition to being knowledgeable and talented, is also supportive, patient and kind; the courses are relaxed, fun and the final product is very professional; our four-legged welcoming committee, Jess and Jupiter, also got a special mention.
today's featured image is the makings of one student's phone case.
last saturday was the heptonstall repair cafe, and the following sunday cathy and a student friend made a group in rawtenstall making leather candle holders with the ukrainian flag for a candlelit vigil of solidarity for peace, held at the cenotaph in whitworth memorial gardens.
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friday 11th march 2021
roots n shoots
creeping towards the spring equinox, we are aware of the lengthening and intensifying daylight. the first shoots are well established, with snowdrop and crocus bulbs having brought early colour; the daffodils are getting closer to showing their happy faces. this morning, we spotted four herons rummaging around the forest floor for their lofty nesting materials. all this budding, bursting and nest-building is bringing fresh hope too.
through one-to-one classes, cathy is supporting the student who is making slippers, and has been very much enjoying the memories of her shoemaking days. it has caused her to reflect on how much those early roots with John Lobb Bootmaker have informed so much of her subsequent work - the preparation of leather, the finishing of edges, but most importantly, the taking of time, paying attention to the thorough completion of one creative stage before moving on to the next. It is fifteen years since cathy's last pair of shoes, and some time since she has coached another one-to-one, passing these wonderful skills of her trade on.
it's heptonstall repair cafe this weekend.
upcoming courses are:
19th and 20th march, tiny satchel at creative with nature
aprons at the whitaker on 27th march.
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friday 4th march 2022
r & r - returnings and restorations
there has been plenty of variety this week - students have been making all sorts, including aprons, dog collars and leads, satchels and tote bags (featured). one long-term student is even experimenting making some slippers. a good proportion have been returning students for their second or third times.
cathy herself has been providing some straps for vintage car picnic baskets. there are a few items awaiting restoration and repair, including wallets and satchels.
we have been in contact with some great, new venues and are looking forward to letting you know of those workshops dates later in the year.
upcoming workshops and repair cafes include:
19th & 20th march, tiny satchel at creative with nature
27th march, aprons, the whitaker, rossendale
12th march heptonstall repair cafe
we'll look forward to seeing you at some of the above.
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friday 11th february 2022
loving restoration
this week's project has been restoring a precious, fifty-year old thank-you gift: our client brought along her beloved attache case to one of the heptonstall repair cafes, leaving it with cathy to fix. she had been given the box while working in the late 1960s as a diabetes nurse. the box has a wooden frame, a sectioned, leather interior and was covered in grain-embossed paper. cathy spent a lot of time perfecting the leather pattern, hand-stitching where possible and machine-stitching the finer areas. It has now been beautifully restored with smooth, luxurious, red, nappa lambskin leather. the hinge, weight and clasp of the box are now wonderfully cohesive, and it is satisfyingly pleasing to open and snap shut. it has been given more than a new lease of life.
come and see cathy at heptonstall repair cafe this saturday between 10am and 1pm. bring your repairs!
aprons workshops at creative with nature on saturday 19th february, and salts mill on 26th feb; tote bag at the craft house, bingley on sunday 20th feb.
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friday 4th february 2022
buckle up
we're in the thick of workshop season now, and everyone is having fun: at salts mill, a mother and daughter made clutch bags, one other student had previously attended the dog collar course at the craft house, bingley; a husband and wife pair made dog collars for their beloved mable and molly; one of our monday brooklyn studios students is making a bag with the unusual bird buckle featured here.
upcoming courses included apron-making at creative with nature on 19th february and tote bags at the craft house, bingley on the 20th february.
cathy made a trip to pontefract this week visiting a closing workshop - and came away with a useful lever press and template leather knives for cutting shapes. more lovely kit!
you will find cathy at heptonstall repair cafe on 12th february 2022. see you there with your items for repair.
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friday 28th january 2022
in the belly
it's been one of those steady-away kind of weeks: brooklyn studios monday courses have run as smoothly as ever. our regular students are often joined these days by new ones bearing their gift vouchers. one such student from york produced a black, pigskin leather apron with his voucher. his profession in stained glass meant he designed his apron shiny-side-out so that tiny shards of glass wouldn't stick in the suede side.
one new customer has been in the workshop making some attractive, leather labels embossed with his initials for his up-cycled furniture.
cathy and charlotte from the stitch society have a lovely collaborative commission to design and make sheepskin gillets - options being considered are merino, tuscana and shearling sheepskins.
while cathy and her other students continue with their regular projects such as belts, bags and dog collars, and the calendar is full with leather courses throughout the year at venues around the region (including new dates at the craft house, bingley), there remains a sense of making space for other new beginnings; feeling the quickening of the earth's hidden potential of imbolc, eagerly awaiting the return of snowdrops, spring bulbs and the lambing season.
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friday 21st january 2021
tingley bingley
workshops have been particularly thrilling this week - the first of the craft house ones in bingley kicked off with dog collars and leads. that group of four students enjoyed each other's creative company so much that they agreed to arrange another event at the same venue in a month-or-two's time - as with a salts mill tool roll group who have already rescheduled their next apron course for this saturday, 22nd january at brooklyn studios. this week, brooklyn studio students have been making a ruby red leather dog collar (for ruby the lurcher), a satchel, a leather belt in bitter chocolate brown, and an envelope clutch bags in two different leathers (oiled and diamond-crissed-crossed-embossed motorbike-seat leather).
cathy also took a trip to j wood leathers ltd in keighley to source leather for belts and straps. while she was there, she also came across the huge hide of a highland cow - almost the size of a woolly mammoth!
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friday 14th january 2022
blessing or blight?
week one of our border collie puppy's company has been 'interesting':
all week, students have found that their leather work projects - laptop bag, silver saddlebag, a coiners purse, and a fancy pair of slippers - suddenly paled into insignificance compared with the delightful distraction of the youthful, playful, excited yipping of 'jupiter'. who knew that the edges of so many workshop items - door frames... breeze blocks...metal filing cabinets... would prove so unexpectedly fascinating and chewy?!
for the time being, cathy's own leatherwork projects - new belt/old buckle, and the restoration of a family heirloom writing box - may also take 'a little longer than expected'.
now that you've clocked miss jupes sporting her new, dinky leather collar...good luck with your own tasks!
upcoming workshops include three 1:1s at brooklyn studios before the end of the month, plus:
16th january at the craft house, bingley
29th january at salts mill, saltaire.
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friday 7th january 2022
never underestimate the warmth of a wet nose
"six, small puppy collars
with six little name tags:
'sol
stoodley
may
reg
jupiter
ragrid'.
six beautiful souls:
three border collie girls
three border collie boys;
five brown-and-white
one black-and-white.
heaps of unconditional love.
'did someone say ball?'
from now on, silence.....is very, very suspicious."
heptonstall repair cafe is on again tomorrow. 10am - 1pm at the school. bring along your beloved items that need a little extra tlc.
come and make your own dog collar at our bingley workshop at the craft house, 16th january, 10am-4pm.
our envelope clutch bag workshop at salts mill, saltaire is saturday 29th january 2022, 10:30am-4:30pm
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tuesday 21st december 2021
stand still ... at the turning point
join us at 4pm GMT this afternoon as we pause ...
...
... to allow a moment's rest, cradled in the loving darkness of the longest night ...
this week's makings have included a laptop bag with matching charging case and card holder, a dark-blue wallet, and belt ...
...
and lastly, at this solstice turning point ... a candle holder, readying us for the return of life-giving light, spilling slowly back, minute-by-minute, awakening our belief and hope.
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friday 17th december 2021
humungus workload
busier than Santa's elves, we've been!
this week, the present-making benches have seen a wine carrier, satchel bag and matching purse, leather tags for christmas presents, thong bracelets, and an iPad case.
this week's unusual projects have been working with fleecy sheepskins to make two cosy, fluff-on-the-inside gilets, and under-saddle numnahs for a cavalry regiment.
there is a 1:1 student in the workshop today making a belt. this coming weekend's course is candle wreath-making at brooklyn studios.
as we look to the new year, in addition to our regular monday workshop courses, here is a list of our 2022 courses:
15 Jan Dog Collar Brooklyn Studios
16 Jan Dog Collar The Craft House, Bingley
29 Jan Clutch Bag Salts Mill
6 Feb Tote Bag King Street Studios
19 Feb Apron Creative With Nature
20 Feb Apron Salts Mill
26 Feb Apron Salts Mill
4 March Apron The Craft House, Bingley
6 March Tool Roll King Street Studios
19&20 March Tiny Satchel Creative With Nature
27 March Apron Whitaker Museum
3 April Man Bag King Street Studios
24 April Tool Roll The Craft House, Bingley
30 April Tote Bag Salts Mill
1 May Tool Roll Creative With Nature
13 May Belt and Hip Flask The Craft House, Bingley
21&22 May Back Pack Creative With Nature
28 May Tool Roll Salts Mill
4&5 June Traveller's Bag Creative With Nature
9&10 July Tote Bag Creative With Nature
30 July Tool Roll Salts Mill
9&10 Sept Apron/Tool Roll Creative With Nature
16 Oct Clutch Bag Creative With Nature
29 Oct Man Bag Salts Mill
12 Nov Hip Flask Creative With Nature
13 Nov Belt Creative With Nature
26 Nov Decorations Salts Mill
10 Dec Candle Wreath Salts Mill
we'll look forward to seeing you at some of those courses.
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tuesday 7th december 2021
lights: candles. action!
it's been a busy week of festive workshops, christmas products and creative activities:
cathy ran a candle and wreath-making workshop at the artworks, halifax; open studios in hebden bridge and the whitaker museum in rossendale restocked with cathy's cute leather reindeer, bows and hearts; christmas commission making is underway with a belt and a wine carrier being the focus this week.
we're bracing ourselves for more wintry weather later today. hopefully, storm barra will blow on by without too much unwelcome action.
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friday 3rd december
braver... stronger... smarter...
despite storm arwen throwing her best at us last weekend, our creative with nature students produced festive candle holders and wreaths in two, half-day workshops with neither electricity nor heating. some students had battled through uprooted trees to reach the workshop, others, without any means of communication, were not sure what adventures the journey home would hold.
you will have the chance to buy some of cathy's cute reindeer, heart bows and star leather christmas decorations this saturday, 10am - 4pm, when brooklyn studios takes part in hebden open studios again.
weekly workshop students are busy working on a laptop bag, satchels and matching coiners purse.
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friday 26th november 2021
wabi-sabi
this week has been all about appreciating and working with the beautifying effects of time on objects and nature - on old sofas...established businesses being given new life... seasoned willow branches.
cathy spent a couple of hours in the home of a local client, matching and patching with upholstery leather a much beloved, old sofa. how many happy, relaxed hours must have been spent on that particularly comfy, well-worn seat cushion... and how many more will now follow!
there has been huge success this week in booking courses at new venues. the craft house at bingley, a substantial and established business, has a series of cathy's all-day courses booked in at their swanky new premises: aprons, belts and wallets, simple tote bag, and gardener's tool belt.
in preparation for this saturday morning's christmas, leather candle holder and wreath-making course at creative with nature, cathy has been practicing working with dried and steamed willow branches. creating with one of nature's most pliable materials and its surprisingly wonderful pretty, tea-like fragrance, plus the leather, orange and cinnamon stick aromas is sure to set some beautiful seasonal memories. thanks to claudette of fleur de lys for the candles.
inspired by the recent filming of the eighteenth-century coiners, gallows pole tv drama, workshop students have been making christmas gifts of their own leather coin pouches...read the book, watch the drama, make, buy or gift the coiners purse...
the much-appreciated vintage betty boop buckle now has its black suede and scarlet-red, leather belt fitted.
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tues 9th november 2021
hebden-on-the-water; bradford-by-the-sea; eden-by-the-bay
courses in hedben, todmorden and saltaire have been particularly popular in the latter months of this year, so we are happy that course dates for 2022 are now in the diary at these venues and further afield.
cathy was impressed by a recent day trip to morcambe (aka bradford-by-the-sea - who knew?!). not only is it a town offering tourists the best of its faded glory and stunning natural landscape, but alongside the eden project north there are also plans to develop an arts quarter to further enhance the touristic experience. we'll be watching that space for opportunities to host leather courses there too.
this week enquiries for virtual courses may lead to the development of yet another product - where materials are ordered and delivered in advance for those preferring to develop their leather-working skills from the comfort of home.
shipley college, bingley's the craft house and the whitaker museum in rossendale are all venues that have scope for offering leather courses, and we are awaiting progress there.
four students from a salts mill tool roll course have rebooked for aprons in january; the student of last weekend's 1:1 class made a tool roll from cream, upholstery-weight leather, which he will use for his engineer's technical pens and pencils.
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friday 5th november 2021
spark into flame
this week has been all about giving old items new life - old, comfy sofa cushions have been lovingly repaired, handy wallets stitched together again back into usefulness, the toggle straps of a vintage duffel coat fixed as good as new, and a new belt added to an old sparkly, red and black betty boop buckle.
remember, remember... the thirteenth of november... keep the flame of beloved items burning... bring them along to cathy at heptsonstall repair cafe.
last weekend's two-day, traveller's bag workshop at joe's creative with nature, was a success with five students - from manchester, leeds and sheffield - who made bags in contrasting colours of green, soft brown and nude. students at our monday classes continued with their laptop, satchel projects and evening bag. featured is the original and copy of one student's mother's evening bag.
this saturday, there is a 1:1 tool roll class in cathy's workshop.
we are waiting on delivery of bobbly, black, missourri full-grain leather hide for three more amp covers.
we are delighted to announce that the lucky winner of our halloween competition is luke of old sailor leather works, who will be using his hip flask to keep out the scottish highland chills way up there in the pretty village of scourie, sutherland.
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friday 29th october 2021
roll with it
this week's workshops were fun. we had the first of our classes at king street studios, lancaster, where six beginner students made useful tool rolls. it's a great venue for teaching from with a small number of well equipped classrooms; monday afternoon's class included two sisters from Leeds making cute pod purses.
our prize draw is this weekend. remember to pop over to catherineedwardsleather on instagram for the chance to win this garnet-red, oiled newbuck, 2oz, mini hip flask: like the instagram post, tag a friend, comment why you or they would enjoy having this lovely item. the lucky winner will be randomly selected this weekend on sunday 31st october 2021.
join us at heptonstall repair cafe on saturday 13th november. bring along your beloved items for a little spruce up.
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friday 22nd october 2021
waning gibbous
this week has been a useful one: leaving behind a procrastination phase and becoming motivated to action by the frustration of loose ends: refining priorities has led to the shedding of light on what needs doing, tidying and finishing fiddly odd jobs has lifted our mood...
the last few days have been about keeping a focused mind; one clearly set on business goals...
now, in this next lunar stage, we await reaping the benefits of the progress made towards achieving those goals.
some other activities this week have included issuing workshop vouchers via the website, making a new belt in 'knobbly, bobbly brown', designing a key wristlet, repairing some brown, leather seat covers, and clarifying with various venues their series of upcoming workshop dates. these include:
sunday 24th october, king street studio, lancaster, apron making
sunday 14th october, king street studio, lancaster, tool roll
saturday 30th and sunday 31st october creative with nature, travellers bag
sunday 7th november salts mill, candle holder
bring your leather items for repair to the heptonstall repair cafe on saturday 13th november 2021.
remember to pop over to catherineedwardsleather on instagram for the chance to win a halloween treat - a garnet-red, oiled newbuck, 2oz, mini hip flask, like the post, tag a friend, comment why you or they would enjoy having this lovely item. the lucky winner will be randomly selected on sunday 31st october 2021
this week's photograph is of two, medium, stainless steel hipflasks in purple and charcoal.
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friday 15th october 2021
halloween giveaway!
treat no trick
now that chillier days are upon us, here's your chance to bring a nip of inner warmth:
pop over to cathy's instagram competition for the chance to win this fabulous halloween treat - a garnet-red, oiled newbuck, 2oz, mini hip flask.
perfect for when out and about amongst the crispy, golden leaves...walking with or without the dog...or perhaps for you wild swimming and camping crazies out there...you know who you are.
follow catherineedwardsleather on instagram
like the post
tag a friend
comment why you or they would enjoy having this lovely flask
the lucky winner will be randomly selected by cathy's coven
at the witching hour - midnight on halloween,
sunday 31st october 2021
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weds 8th october 2021
plaything...hanging on a string
this week has become all about tying off loose ends - figuratively and literally:
cathy, who adores the playful challenge of a new project, has relished the design and creation of her film items. the thonging and tasseling is being completed as we speak before being wrapped in tissue paper and gift-bagged ready to be picked up. to give extra time for contemplating the beauty of new items, we often allow them to sit on the workbench for a while...
cathy took a trip to j wood leathers this week, returning with tooling shoulder, and leathers in emerald green and rich burgundy.
the next salts mill, saltaire tool roll workshop is this saturday, 10am - 4pm. cathy will also be supplying charlotte with some sample workshop items for the shop, and is completing a further project adding leather straps to a chef's apron.
aprons will also be made at king street studios, lancaster on saturday 23rd october.
today's image shows next week's competition prize in the making. keep your eye on insta for a chance to win this delightful and unique item.
three students have made dog collars this week - navy blue for freddy the lab, and rich green for digby the labradoodle - both from birmingham - and a rolled leather one for naya in nice, south of france.
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friday 1st october 2021
serendipity
the organic growth in new products and relationships that develops from chance events is always a pleasure: this week's activities have lead to fortuitous new connections with the wild swimming community, hebden businesses and the TV crews filming locally.
on a wild and windy early morning birthday swim up at gaddings, mick ryan of fotoVUE was gifted a leather covered flask for his post-swim hot drink. the original flask coming from rachel of weighsted.
keep an eye on cathy's insta account for a chance to win one in october - useful for the wild swimmers amongst us as we head into the cooler days of autumn. also check out fotoVUE's incredible, new, two-volume travel and photography guide, Photographing Iceland, by james rushforth.
following a chance encounter, a couple of local shops are considering stocking cathy's Cannwyll Candle Holder, made entirely by hand from reclaimed wood and pure, untreated leather.
in addition to juggling balls and picnic basket straps, another TV company has also requested some unusual leather filming props.
a request for vegan leather has also opened a new product line. that 'leather' is on its way.
blog
friday 24th september 2021
pear and repair
this week we have been up to our ears in amp covers for the arts council STEMS project. finally, all twelve leather covers are complete with their adjustable straps, chrome buckles and rivets, and steel-grey clasps. they will have their first outing tomorrow at redcar festival of thrift - brought to life through brian acton's electronic music and the playfulness of the audience's participation.
vagary custom culture have ordered a repeat of their motorcyclists' hip flask collection in vegan leather. it is a decade since cathy's last vegan project, and we are excited to see how the industry and its technology has developed over that period. there are so many options these days, often involving plants and waste products of other processes - yeast, flowers, coconut water, coffee grounds, plastic bottles, mushrooms, pineapple and even prickly pear!
cathy has had an invite to attend heptonstall repair cafe where she will be joining other artisans and skilled crafts people in giving your beloved items a new lease of life.
cathy's next workshop is a tool roll one at salts mill, saltaire on saturday 9th october, 10 - 4pm.
blog
tues 14th september
birthday workshop joy
last weekend's birthday workshop proved a delightful event: seven friends celebrated together at their host's home by each making a Tourderms travel bag with their chosen colours and buckles. birthday girl provided a delicious lunch mid-way through the very full day, and by six-thirty, five of the complete beginners had completed their bags. the party host and cathy will finish off the remaining two together in the next few weeks. party girl's feedback was sweet:
"thanks so much for yesterday. you were brilliant as usual."
there are two upcoming workshop opportunities for you to make your own traveller's bag:
- 18th-19th september salt's mill saltaire.
- 30th september creative with nature todmorden
two full-shoulder pieces of black, missouri full grain hide has been received from bachelors in london for the completion of brian acton's stems backpack speakers cover project.
blog
fri 3rd september 2021
the joyful goodbyes of autumn
this week across from her workshop, cathy captured some wonderful product shots bathed in the subtle, cooling autumn light of the old brooklyn garage. she had been saying goodbye to chris lord, photographer and joiner, who was using temporary space for his bespoke furniture restoration project - building a new church alter from old pews.
lesley, from the store, haworth has recently sold a number of cathy's bags and just this morning collected her latest order: a Toldbol Tiny satchel in unfinished leather - a colour that ages wonderfully characteristically, telling the tales of its use.
we are waiting on the delivery of more leather from abbey england, some of which will be used for our latest etsy orders, the amp cover project, a birthday gift bag, and a matching bag and belt.
this weekend sees an apron-making workshop at creative with nature, todmorden on sunday 10am - 4pm, and a treat mother-and-daughter workshop day for kira of kl falconry on saturday.
blog
sunday 29th august 2021
back to the mill
as the end of the summer draws to a close, the memories of trips to see family and trips to stay with friends begin to fade. thankfully, the nightmares of trips to buy school uniform and shoes are also beginning fade.
having an order book full of nice items to make for autumn requests is contributing to the welcome change of pace: one returning customer has asked for a candle holder for her third (leather) anniversary - personalised with names, wedding date and location; etsy has brought in a glut of wallets, satchels, belts and document case orders; the amp covers project deadline is approaching; cathy has sourced some interesting buckles to use.
the workshop season will continue to be full on right up until the end of the year:
the art works in halifax has added two of cathy's leather candle holder workshop sessions to their pre-christmas offerings from 10am - 12:30pm:
friday 29th october, and saturday 4th december.
king street arts, lancaster, is offering:
a toll-roll making workshop from 10am - 4pm, on sunday 24th october and an apron-making workshop on 14th november.
blog
weds 18th august 2021
curiosities
cathy's recent recce to the recently refurbished whitaker museum in rossendale proved very enjoyable. the museum, under the curatorship of the Bells husband and wife team, has recently undergone a £2.2m revamp to become one of east lancashire's biggest museums.
the spacious museum and gallery hosts an unusual collection of items - particularly in its cabin of curiosities. they have plenty of room for craft workshops, artist talks, heritage activities and film nights. now stocking cathy's blanket rolls, wallets and backpacks alongside the products of other local artisans, they also have cathy's course proposals to consider for future workshops.
one of today's projects included the personalising of a curiously cute, highland hide shot glass holder.
blog
weds 4th august 2021
still learning
it's all about the courses this week.
craft course has been providing a steady stream of students. the introduction to working with leather course is proving particularly popular. one booking is underway right this very moment.
this weekend, on the 7th august, we are hosting a clutch bag making course at salts mill, saltaire - an item that is pleasing to make and beautiful to use.
look out for the flyers for our workshops around the west yorkshire and lancashire areas.
here are the dates of upcoming courses:
salts mill, saltaire
7th august clutch bag
18th-19th september traveller’s bag
9th october tool roll
7th november candle holder
5th december candle holder
brooklyn studios, hebden
mondays, 10am - 12midday and 2pm -4pm
king’s centre, lancaster
17th october apron
14th november candle holder
creative with nature, todmorden
5th september apron
10th september belt
30th september traveller’s bag
27th october candle holder
9th -10th december messenger bag
blog
weds 28th july 2021
summery summary
gotta love it when a plan comes together! one of our monday students has completed her fish buckle saddle bag project (featured) - just in time for her summer holidays. this week's monday class saw the other students focus on the fine details of their individual creations. one of them has booked a birthday party session later in the year for her sister, who also happens to run the newly restored whitaker museum in rawtenstall, with its natural heritage, social history and art collections. cathy is going to visit it this weekend, and also explore the possibility of offering workshops from that part of lancashire too in addition to the king's centre in lancaster. craft courses is proving such a worthwhile investment with new bookings for taster sessions coming in each week. the next planned workshop course is an envelope clutch bag at salts mill.
we have taken receipt of the leather for emma's bag straps at redmouse design, the a-board for outside the workshop, and the flyers advertising our courses for the rest of the year. look out for those at the hebden bridge town hall and around and about town, and of course on our website.
finally, one customer, getting her birthday and christmas gifts all lined up, has ordered a super 'weathered' hip flask for both sister- and father-in-law, and a london-tan satchel for her mother.
cathy will be having some time away over the summer from 8th - 15th august.
blog
weds 21st july 2021
sterling work!
the beginning of this week - the glorious 19th - has brought a sudden increase in business, as fellow artisans' work expands and students return enthusiastically to the workshop.
we had a full house at monday's workshop with one old student friend showing up to meet the current new ones. he plans to return after the summer to begin his new project, which will be based around a belt buckle made of sterling silver, marked with his own hallmark! another student is designing a new pattern for is unusually-sized laptop bag. there have been several 1:1 classes this week, and through craft courses, a family of four booked a treaty day, each producing two items, including belts, purses and key fobs.
cathy has been asked to make some unusual strap fittings for the stitch society, who are collaborating on a new product launch. emma hutchinson of redmouse design has also commissioned tan and blue, abbey saddlery, bowden leather shoulder straps for her attractive bag products.
as more and more people are people are passing the workshop on a daily basis these days, cathy has just treated herself to a new a-board for the front. look out for our nice new addition!
blog
weds 14th july 2021
open studios last weekend proved successful with lots of visitors passing through the workshop over those three days. brooklyn studios never looked so posh as the workspaces and their resident artisans all had a spruce up for the occasion. cathy picked up a lovely commission as well as some unusual repairs:
years ago a customer bought a large bruno bag with heart-shaped design. having loved it so much, she has commissioned a second one;
a fellow artisan from brooklyn studios needs a shoulder strap replacing on her pretty, mid-blue, suede rucksack; an avid bird spotter has just had his binoculars case repaired with matching stitching to as-good-as-new; a tubular steel chair is being brought in for a repair to its leather arm rests.
in the 1950s, a mother, who had been trained in leather work in the post-war years, made a black travelling bag for her son. when she sadly passed away, the son gave his mother's leather working kit to cathy as her first set of non-shoe-making tools. with some rare items included, the stitch marker and leather clam remain some of cathy's favourite workshop items today. the travelling bag, which over the years has been well used and loved, has been brought to the workshop for cathy to repair ... how sweet it is all these years later to be working on the bag ... using the same original tools.
this week's featured photograph is a student's tool roll in brown embossed cow hide - a course booked through the wonderful craft courses.
blog
weds 7th july 2021
mixed bunch brunch
last weekend's satchel-making workshop had five fab students and was really super. having got along so well on the saturday, we decided to break for brunch provided by yakamama on the sunday. the course finished a little later than expected but it was so worth it for the fun, chat and good food in the middle of our creative session.
one of the monday workshop students, who loves a practical challenge, has almost completed the sofa cushions he has been working on for a while. the only thing left to do now is the polishing and waxing, and then he is moving on to his new project - attaching some buckles and leather straps to his motorcycle cover.
cathy has finished the tourderms traveller's bag order this week. the customer has just been in to check it out before returning to collect it tomorrow. two notable (and colourful) orders of this week include a forest-green work satchel in abbey's bowdon sedgwick leather for the wife of a customer, plus a burgundy document case etsy order.
remember the open studios this weekend - come and visit us!
blog
weds 30th june 2021
bits n bobs
additions, adjustments and specialist jobs have been the feature of this week:
sewing a valkyrie riders cruiser club patch onto a motorcyclist's jacket proved a slightly trickier job than expected due to the bulkiness of the leather and the body armour. but the owner has gone away very happy and looking forward to his next ride out tomorrow.
we had a few repairs and additions, including adding extra handles onto a bag, and a cross-body backpack strap.
our tourderms traveller's bag is proving really popular - for men and women alike - this week's order being for the girlfriend of a local customer (ssh! we're not sure she knows yet).
the lovely red belt featured has also now been finished and is ready to be collected.
the next upcoming courses are:
satchel course, creative with nature, 3rd and 4th of july;
envelope clutch bag course, stitch society, salts mill, 31st of july.
blog
weds 23rd june 2021
roll with it
workshop classes this week have been particularly enjoyable - the most recent, held at creative with nature in todmorden, had four students of a similar level that worked happily and harmoniously together on their tool rolls. two of the students were celebrating their third wedding anniversary (leather, obvs!). his n hers tool rolls featured here.
at this week's monday's workshop, one student's work included a replica of her mother's evening bag, another's was a broad, rich chestnut dog collar for misty, his newly acquired, smooth-coated, rescue greyhound, and a third made a black, pigskin apron.
the next CWN satchel course is the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of july. followed by an envelope clutch bag course at the Stitch Society salts mill on 31st of july.
the amp case cover design is now complete, and the project has expanded to include a cover for the portable battery packs. the prototype amps are now in manufacture and the rest of the cases and packs will follow.
over the long weekend of 9th -11th july, remember to check out the 90 artisans' studios who intend to be open for the hebden bridge open studios event.
our craft courses win-it-wednesday winner has been announced: ruth young is the lucky winner of a lovely, large-sized, natural finish, undyed leather candle holder with rose gold leaf accent!
blog
weds 16th june 2021
workshop wonders
wall-to-wall teaching and classes have been great this week. even greater still have been the resultant items students have made. it's wonderful to see their beautiful, finished products after just a couple of four-hour workshop classes. this week's creations include:
an envelope clutch case and matching purse in brown, oiled leather with lizard accessories - made by a first-time student at the leather work taster session.
a saddle bag in whiskey tan with a pretty bumble bee swivel handbag clasp.
one new student found a sweet blue tit clasp for her bag and finished it with matching blue-tit blue stitching.
another new student was so pleased over two days to have made a really useful tourderms day bag in full grain misourri hide, bitter chocolate in colour, with antique brass rivets.
a really good place as a starting point for an introduction to leather is the book Leather Work - Projects Anyone Can Do, by Geert Schuiling.
blog
weds 9th june 2021
more fully human?
students new and old are flocking to courses in cathy's workshop, and are enjoying the creativity and the opportunity to be creative alongside others.
it seems that having had chance to re-evaluate our activities this last tough year, we are all now prioritising ways of socialising that build connection and feel more deeply meaningful.
with rising temperatures and opening society so many of us are exercising our creative and community-loving spirits: craft courses being one useful platform though which our students can book their leather-work course places. cathy is about to add her monday classes there too. check out the link. we have recently had a flurry of bookings by students wanting to make a variety of items including dog collars, a binoculars case, and satchels. one student is making a bag (and the buckle itself) for his wife. another has booked to host a creative day at her home for six to eight people - including her sisters and friends. we will be developing jo's creative with nature idea of hosting generation leather-work parties and hen parties also. how comforting it is to have dates in the calendar for creativity and socialising - two wholesome and valuable aspects of what it means to be human.
blog
weds 2 june 2021
the creative glue that binds us together
there is always a delightful collaborative, creative project going on in cathy's workshop:
this week, the backpack amp cover is getting the focus of her attention. together with brian acton, cathy is working on a design that enables the speaker to be worn with straps and covered with removable, lightweight and flexible leather casing.
brian's arts council project, STEMS, is a participatory, immersive musical experience for events and creative practice. each voice-in-the-choir channel 'stem' is played on one of ten backpack speakers worn by participants in a crowd. this project once again reveals a notable feature of cathy's work: a pleasing, cohesive correlation between the project itself - fostering creative independence, participation, immersion, empowerment and unification - and the creativity of her own leather design and process. workshop life is community life.
the wider leather-loving community has been reached this week particularly through online course platforms - a goodly number of students signing up for 1:1 dog-collar-making workshops via craft courses, and our red satchel customer, loving the colour so much, placed an order for a belt in the same shade. what's not to love about that stunning red leather?!
cathy and the children have also spent some half-term r&r time with grandparents - eastnor castle pictured here.
not* pictured here - they're away having far too much fun to be faffing with photos. so I've had to rummage around in her archives for a photo. behold! cathy's shoemaker's lasting pincers ;-)
blog
24th may 2021
inspiration near and far
working with the creative force is such a joy - inspiration from one activity leading to the emergence of another and so on: providing 1:1 strap-making classes for a young man, and seeing his requirement for beginner set of tools, inspired the creation of a new product and workshop class, as mentioned last week. cathy has now sourced and ordered those tools and is setting about designing the soft leather tool roll to fit around them. this will make a super gift for beginners to leather work.
one student, learning remotely in brazil,has been inspired to make her own saddlebag. these days distance really is no object!
for years cathy has been using a useful faster pocket pouch with belt mount, which she finds handy for essentials while out and about, be they keys and a little cash, or doggy pooh bags and treats. the design and creation of this handy new product requires using a leather mould and hardening solution. cathy is enjoying experimenting with both to get the exact finish she requires.
a brand new merchant and mills pattern has encouraged one student to create her own right-to-roam backpack with customised leather additions.
blog
19th may 2021
old friends and new
the first creative with nature workshop at jo's last weekend was such a success: 6 people had a brilliant time making aprons together. jo sells there her own willow sculptures, basketry and equipment, as well as stocking antiques, cathy's leather items, and the attractive products of other artisans such as wood turning, felt making and stained glass.
seize the chance for last-minute enrolment on our exclusive apron making workshop, complete with afternoon tea, at the stitch society, salts mill, saltaire on saturday 29th may, from 10-4pm. creative with nature's next tool belt workshop is on 20th june, and we'll be back at salts mill again on 26th june for satchel making.
one creative with nature student, having 1:1 strap-making lessons is being provided with a useful set of new tools for his new-found kit and skill. this has inspired the development of both a popular workshop and its current product into even more attractive options - an artisan tool roll complete with tool contents. other new products in development are stitch accessories for charlotte at the stitch society. charlotte's new studio is coming along nicely, and will soon be supplied with some more of cathy's stock - backpacks, yarn pots and summer day bags.
one happy customer has just been in to collect her chanel bag with lengthened strap. the day bag will be heading out in the summery wide blue yonder this week, and a bright red, platform laptop rucksack/briefcase conversion is ready for adjustment. all of which will hopefully result in yet more happy customers.
blog
14th may 2021
friends and beautiful things
preparations for the start of workshop season this weekend brought the chance to meet up with fellow artisans: cathy met with charlotte of the stitch society and von allen of heartfelt dogs. our friends at vagary custom culture will receive their box packed full of really beautiful things.
on the way to visit charlotte to discuss the final details of the stitch society workshop programme, cathy called in at j wood leather merchant to pick up pigskin for this saturday's creative with nature apron making workshop.
more beautiful things are on the workshop bench this week - a casual, light summer bag with petersham straps, ideal for summery days out; two yarn pots have been ordered for gardeners ready to enjoy their outdoorsy time.
blog
5th may 2021
comforting rituals
cathy is savouring her creative project for vagary custom culture. so far 13 of 30 handsome items have been made for the motorbiking community, including a new, round hip flask.
cathy's middle child also had a calming session in mum's workshop, using a range of differently sized knife cutters, he successfully produced precise, soothing, geometric patterns on various pleasing bright colours of leather.
workshops are being booked with the king street studios in lancaster. cathy submitted three popular course proposals for beginner classes there - apron making, an artisan tool roll, and a journal case. then threw in a fourth wild card - the clutch bag - which has proven a good choice too. they offer a great workshop location in their independent, artist-led studios and gallery spaces.
the summer season of workshops is at last approaching - the first being the creative with nature apron-making workshop on saturday 15th may, 10:30am - 4:30pm in todmorden.
in other news: one customer, preferring a longer strap for a rather smart, petite chanel bag, has asked cathy to design an extension. another student of leather work has ordered a yarn pot to hold the thread he is using in his latest project.
now that the shops are opening up again, take a trip to lesley's shop, the store in haworth. cathy's items stocked there are very much in keeping with her beautiful, sustainably sourced products, their earth tones, and natural colours pallette.
blog
weds 28th april
happy days
the prospect of returning to leather skills workshops is so exciting. we have a monthly programme booked with charlotte from the stitch society over in her new premises at salts mill. the first of which is an apron making workshop on saturday 29th may between 10am and 4pm. cathy is heading over to salts mill tomorrow to discuss the nitty gritty of the programme with charlotte.
we are also in discussion about holding workshops at new venues over in lancaster - further west than we have previously headed. we'll keep you posted about dates and times.
monday brooklyn studios workshop classes have been coming along nicely. our current four students' projects include a circular bag in natural finish (the one with the pretty art deco fish buckle), one regular and one tiny saddlebag, and the final item is a leather patchwork sofa seat cover (which the maker would no doubt recognise has proven a rather 'interesting' project at times. nothing ventured, nothing gained!)
one pleasing project this week was replacing an obviously loved heavy saddlery leather strap on a bag cathy had made about 15 years ago. its new owner now has a softer, slightly broader shoulder strap, and the bag has been given a new lease of life.
we received a warm thank you from the american customer, who was thrilled with her desk tidy purchase.
cathy is having a lot of fun designing and making accessory items for the motorcyclists' supplies out at vagary custom culture.
21st april 2021
collaborative tea
this week, some enjoyable research and catching up with an old collaboration was prompted by a customer keen to have a horween leather briefcase.
a leather that cathy is not in the habit of working with, horween is from a particular part of a horsehide. the irregular oval shaped shells are tanned, stuffed, shaved, and then polished over a period of at least six months. further steeping, stuffing, currying, shaving, hand-dying and glazing this results in a rich, glossy look and feel. we took delivery towards the back-end of this week of some tiny horween samples in various dyes from a&a crack and sons.
cathy has been talking again with tim harries, a master saddler, of ryburn leather, who will pick up the horween briefcase project himself. as has been noted before, tim is sickeningly good at stitching (is stitch envy even a thing?) he has also agreed to take on the production of a leather chess board case with pockets for the 32 black and white pieces.
tim and cathy have been working together over many years, sharing skills and projects between them, offering an enthusiastic and encouraging presence. tim has even been known to make cathy a cup of tea from time-to-time. what more does one need from a collaboration?!
blog
14th april 2021
work and play
this week's orders have included a personalised desk tidy sent to georgia, USA, some rugged, custom-designed bikers' items for vagary custom culture, and straps for a vintage car picnic hamper.
for the indoor life, the british leather, handmade desk tidy keeps all of your bits and bobs together in one place. 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 letters to make it a great gift idea for weddings, housewarming, anniversary, groomsmen etc.
as the spring season is progressing, customers are turning their minds to their outdoorsy lives - the vintage car picnic hamper now has some robust leather straps to keep all those tasty morsels and pretty picnic wear safely tucked away.
the bikers will soon be fulfilling their yearning desire to explore the hills and valleys of calderdale. we have supplied vagary custom culture with a range of perfect accessories for taking to the road - wallets, straps, belts, glove straps, branded hip flasks and key rings.
we have just received a delivery of leather from one of our suppliers, j wood leather, and have ourselves supplied creative with nature, the only willow-weaving shop on the english highstreet , with plenty of stock for their leather workshop - including handbags, aprons, tool rolls and wallets - popular items often chosen for making at our leather workshops there.
monday leatherwork classes have started back up now: 10am - 2pm, and 2pm-4pm. one current student is working on a delightful bag from natural unfinished tooling shoulder leather. having sourced a gorgeous, rose-gold, leaping fish-design, art deco buckle, the whole bag has been designed around this one pretty accessory.
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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!
blog
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.
blog
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
blog
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.
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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.