Handmade Leather Goods
Handmade leather goods have always held a special place in my heart. The unique imperfections, texture, the feeling that they have been crafted by human hands set them apart from machine-made goods. The idea of creating beautiful and functional objects from such a primal material like leather is something that I find particularly appealing.
One of the main reasons I make handmade leather goods is the difference in feel compared to machine-made products. The texture adds to the tactile experience of using the product and makes it more enjoyable and satisfying to hold. Additionally, the fact that someone has taken the time and effort to create the product adds a sense of craftsmanship and care that is not present in machine-made goods.
Another reason I make handmade leather goods is because of their durability and longevity. Leather is a strong and resilient material that only gets better with age. Handmade leather goods are built to last and will often outlast their mass-produced counterparts.
I specialize in making small personal items, such as wallets, wristbands, and book covers that can be kept as family keepsakes and heirlooms. For example, the notebook covers that I make can be used for various notebooks, but they also hold paper from premium, well-established, long-running paper makers such as Rhodia or Clairefontain and Moleskin.
The process of creating handmade leather goods is also something that I find incredibly satisfying. Working with such a primal material, cutting, stitching, and forming it into something beautiful and functional requires skill, patience, and attention to detail. The end result is a product that is truly one-of-a-kind.
The pricing of leather and the time commitment to making these goods also make them works of art. The deliberateness in the planning of the design, gathering of materials, adjusting for material variances, and human errors, and combining them together is what makes these goods special. This process reminds me of Michelangelo's story and his discovery of an old marble stone that no one wanted, but he turned it into a magnificent sculpture. Writer Giorgio Vasari would later describe it as "the bringing back to life of one who was dead."
In conclusion, handmade leather goods have a charm and character that cannot be replicated by mass-produced goods. The roughness, tactile experience, and fact that they have been created by human hands all add to the uniqueness of the product. Additionally, handmade leather goods are durable and long-lasting, and the process of creating them is immensely satisfying.