Blog — Leather

In last month’s blog post, we discussed leatherworking as a hobby. Hopefully, you decided to take us up on that suggestion and have begun your new adventure! Since you likely have started to research and invest in leatherworking tools, we’d like to offer ways to make them last. 

As the new year kicks off many people are making plans for what they want to accomplish in 2023. This could include new places to visit, achieving career goals, exploring life goals, and trying out new hobbies! If you’re looking to learn a new skill this year, we suggest leatherworking. Leatherworking is one of the oldest crafts in history and is the perfect hobby to keep your hands and your mind active.

Finished with your leather crafting project and unsure of what to do with the scraps? Holding on to an old leather accessory that you’re not sure what to do with? Did a relative give you a leather gift that’s not entirely your style? We’ve got you covered! Keep reading to learn how to properly repurpose, recycle, reuse, or upcycle your leather discards! 

Hand-carved leather has long been considered a highly valued material. The earliest preserved hand-carved leather items date back 3,000 years and were used to decorate homes and body armor. Leather carving grew even more popular in the 1800s when the practice was picked up by cowboys and ranchers of the Wild West. The elaborate and highly decorative saddles showcased wealth and status among the cowboy and ranching communities.