Suemi Report post Posted August 30, 2013 Hello everyone, My girl and I will be traveling to italy in a couple weeks and I wanted to touch base and see if anyone can recommend some leather related stops they have made. Maybe a tannery, tool supplier, school etc. I know there will be shoe makers all over, which I am incredibly excited about but any other recs would be greatly appreciated. I am aware of barnsley sheffield being in the UK but any tool suppliers from Italy? We will be going to some small town north and South and making stops in Rome and Florence. Thanks for the help. Rich Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatherthresher Report post Posted August 31, 2013 Hello Rich, When reading your post regarding your planned trip to Italy, looking to find maybe amongst others a leather related school, I remembered I had found some time ago websites of such schools in Florence, the Italian city you intend to stop by. Now, if you go and google under "Leather School in Italy", a whole bunch of such websites appear amongst them the website www.scuoladelcuoio.com/scuola-del-cuoio-about-us... will most probably find your special interest in. By the way: "scuola del cuoio" is the Italian word for "school of leather" or "leather school". There is quite a wealth of information offered that will probably match your trip plans; at least I hope so! Regards, Mark, the leatherthresher. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WScott Report post Posted August 31, 2013 You guys are so fortunate to do this. It is something on my bucket list. My wife wants to do cooking school in Tuscany, so I figure a leather tour for me. Florence is big on leather but I have not researched things yet. Good luck and keep us posted on the trip.....some holiday photos would be a cool thread! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cem Report post Posted September 1, 2013 Yep if possible pics of leather stuff from over there would be very cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Suemi Report post Posted October 15, 2013 We have made it back and have some news for the people who replied to my post. Italy was amazing, and on occasion, you will come across a crafter with a retail shop still trying to make a buck. I met a father and son who had a shop with his designs on the wall and a old pfaff cylinder arm where the register should have been. It's pretty amazing and invigorating to see since the father worked for Bernini for thirty years. In his smoke filled shop he humbly said in broken english, "it's not Gucci but it's not terrible...", when speaking of his line. My hunt for leather began in Florence which many suggested I do. I do not, from experience, recommend you do this. All the tanneries are in Pisa which unfortunately we did not go. We found a leather hide retailer, nothing too special, but fun none the less. The owner of the store provided us with the information I just gave you. We did get some suppliers out of him and were able to see quality and finish from hides he had available, which was a plus and potential connection. Other that our trip was filled with gallons of wine, pounds of pasta, and a lot of walking...A definite must go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BondoBobCustomSaddles Report post Posted October 16, 2013 Hi Rich, well, if you and you girl find some cool leather places to visit in Florence, please post and let us know. I have a sister that lives in Florence, and there is the distinct possibility that my wife and I will be going there in the future also. Bob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WScott Report post Posted October 18, 2013 Sounds like you guys had a great trip Hope to go someday myself Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
suzelle Report post Posted October 23, 2013 Rich, Thank you for sharing your experience! I enjoyed reading! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
