Hi, Joseph here. I am now a full time leather crafts person, working
from my studio in Manchester, UK. This has not always been the case
though, so here is a little bit about how I got here.
I worked
in luxury retail for a number of years. The company I worked for
continues to be one of the biggest international players in that space.
Like many of these luxury houses, they had their core staple product(s)
but had also expanded into other areas.
The quality and
craftsmanship of my employers main staple was exceptional and I truly
enjoyed introducing this item to the uninitiated, as well as showing off
new developments to the already converted. This passion of mine did
not, however, extend to some of the other product areas that the brand
had expanded into.
Their leather goods, from a craft
perspective, were, for the most part, unexceptional. Produced in the
same Italian and Chinese bag factories that produce the majority of the
Worlds' "luxury" leather goods. They were mass produced with
sale-ability and profit the main considerations. Materials and hardware
were mostly low cost, so they just didn't feel as good as they should
for how much they cost. Customers bought them however. Most customers
were just blinded by the brand and weren't discerning enough to know
what real leather craftsmanship was.
It still amazes me that
some people will fall over themselves to spend 1000's on a big name
luxury brand when there are so many independent crafts people out there
producing far superior products. This is the power of massive marketing
budgets I guess.
My own journey into leather crafting started
while I was working in luxury retail. I started making simple items and
slowly developed competency. I made keychains and belts for myself and
family members. Eventually, I built up enough confidence in my skills to
offer my items for sale. I created an Etsy shop and posted a few simple
keychains I had made. To my surprise, they started to sell and people
started to ask me to make custom items for them.
Eventually, I received a request to make a card holder in the style of Hermès'
Calvi. I had heard of the brand before but hadn't worked with chrome
tanned leather or even press snaps. I nonetheless took on the challenge.
Not only did I have to figure out how it was constructed but I also had
to source the correct leather and press snaps. I wasn't going to settle
for anything but as perfect a recreation that I was able to manage. The
client was happy with the result. I took pictures of this piece and
posted it to Etsy and this is now one of my most popular items. I
continue to receive custom requests and enjoy the challenge that many of
these commissions pose me.