Learning New Skills From Other Leatherworkers

[UKRay]

This week, I went back to school.

I spent a couple of days with one of the UK's top historical shoemakers, Sarah Juniper , learning how to make medieval turnshoes. Sarah is a superb craftsperson and has a thorough and intuitive understanding of shoemaking. I feel privileged to have spent time in her workshop, sharing ideas, leatherworking knowledge and exchanging skills.

But the process didn't stop as I walked out to my car and drove home. I spent the rest of the week researching aspects of leatherwork that I wasn't even aware existed and have learned far more than I thought possible from the experience.

I should point out that I had no intention of making turnshoes when I started, I just wanted to understand the processes involved. Instead I have come back with a wealth of ideas, new skills and a huge amount of inspiration that has pushed my day-to-day leatherwork much further than I thought possible.

This has been a really positive experience and I'm keen to repeat it with other leatherworkers and leather craftspeople. Who should I visit next? Do you know a specialist craftsperson who might be prepared to show me what they do? I'm happy to travel almost anywhere.

Have you got any suggestions? I'm always open to invitations LOL!

Ray

[JohnBarton]

This week, I went back to school.

I spent a couple of days with one of the UK's top historical shoemakers, Sarah Juniper , learning how to make medieval turnshoes. Sarah is a superb craftsperson and has a thorough and intuitive understanding of shoemaking. I feel privileged to have spent time in her workshop, sharing ideas, leatherworking knowledge and exchanging skills.

But the process didn't stop as I walked out to my car and drove home. I spent the rest of the week researching aspects of leatherwork that I wasn't even aware existed and have learned far more than I thought possible from the experience.

I should point out that I had no intention of making turnshoes when I started, I just wanted to understand the processes involved. Instead I have come back with a wealth of ideas, new skills and a huge amount of inspiration that has pushed my day-to-day leatherwork much further than I thought possible.

This has been a really positive experience and I'm keen to repeat it with other leatherworkers and leather craftspeople. Who should I visit next? Do you know a specialist craftsperson who might be prepared to show me what they do? I'm happy to travel almost anywhere.

Have you got any suggestions? I'm always open to invitations LOL!

Ray

I am sorry Ray but you are barred from my shop. Given your passion and willingness to do anything I fear that you would become a better case maker than us.

LOL. Of course you are always welcome to come to our shop where I can show you some techniques we use that aren't found elsewhere when making pool cue cases.

I nearly always learn something when I start down a path on the web looking at other people's leather work.

[UKRay]

Thanks so much for the offer, John. I've been looking at the price of tickets to China. How far are you from Hong King as I can get a special deal on a flight a bit later in the year? I'm serious. I'd love to see your set-up and don't worry, I'm never going to become a cue case maker - I'm not even sure how to use a cue. LOL!

Okay, I'm on a roll here. Where else can I go? Is there anyone in the UK, Europe or Scandinavia who might spare me an hour or so? I'd very much like to meet up with a knife sheath maker or two and anyone who makes replica medieval pouches would be high on my list. I've already spoken to Andy in Northumberland about a leather moulding session - I'm hoping to get there in a month or two.

I'll be in York 2nd week of April if anyone is in that area.

Any invitations would be very welcome!

Ray

[JohnBarton]

We are a one hour flight from HK. The price of the flight is about $150. You're welcome any time!!