Veej Report post Posted September 19, 2017 Hi everyone, As the post mentions I'm from Toronto, Canada. I've always loved leather, the touch, scent, visual aesthetics, the only other material that can come close to it for all 3 senses is wood , but can't be worn. I'm always on the look out for good leather gear for my bike and myself, but recently have noticed most of the items I love are from far out places like Europe or South and customizing it to what I want and connecting with people from abroad to explain to them my wants becomes such a challenge, plus with shipping and duty the price can get way out. So this got me into seriously considering the trade myself, I know the initial cost will be higher than just buying from there, but there will be a sense of pride in making my own. Here in Toronto, Canada I don't know where to start, I was hoping in sourcing some beginner classes but have had no luck in finding them around here. I want to get into motorcycle saddles, Tool bags, regular bags and seat upholstery. I want to learn the basics if possible by a class or one on one instructor. I've visited the Tandy website, but that is in UK, I'm hoping I can find a local place here to buy the tools and leather. Hoping any Canucks here can guide me. On an off note I was wandering why is the U.K is big on leather items with quality, also some parts of Europe as well (I know Italy is renowned for it's tanneries and leather but was surprised about U.K.) . I've ordered beautiful saddle bags that were rich thick leather from U.K before and currently found this one leather maker in Germany, but he's soooo busy , each time I email him I get a response a few days later and then I can't get a hold of him on a timely basis, I don't think he is interested in supplying to Toronto as he must be inundated with enough work in Europe alone. Here below is what he makes and I'm hoping that one day I'll be able to make something so beautiful as well. His work consists of forming leather and staining it in such deep rich hues. His website is: www.rarebag.de Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
velvetwastaken Report post Posted September 20, 2017 Whoa! Those bags are intense! Love the colours, though I'm not a big fan of skulls myself lol the one in my head is plenty for me. I'm from Canada as well, Alberta though. I got started with free carving classes offered at my local Tandy store. There should be a Tandy around; almost every major city has one I think, check the store locator on their website, though I'm not familiar at all with the Toronto area, so distance might still be an issue. There are some other Ontario based people here who will hopefully be able to get you some more direction about instruction and suppliers more local to you. I buy most of my leather from a place called Buckskins Leather Co. I have to order most of it as the nearest store is hours away, but they're great about sending stuff super fast and they're one of the few places I know that supplies Hermann Oak in Canada. Good luck finding what you need! It is indeed very rewarding to build you own leather goods Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwican Report post Posted September 20, 2017 I'm from Niagara Region, so howdy! there is a Tandy leather shop in Mississauga on Tomken drive that from time to time run free workshops on Saturdays for folks. Its a good place to start to learn a thing or two about leather and is right in your neck of the woods. Or if you want to travel to Hamilton look up Tundra leather, they also do classes and are gods of leather work in this area Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Veej Report post Posted September 21, 2017 Hi guys, Thanks I'm going to look up Tany in Mississuaga, I did not know they were around here, just thought they were in U.S and U.K as their website always comes up as U.S. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted September 22, 2017 10 hours ago, Veej said: Hi guys, Thanks I'm going to look up Tany in Mississuaga, I did not know they were around here, just thought they were in U.S and U.K as their website always comes up as U.S. Just type tandyleather.ca into your browser. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Instinctive Report post Posted September 22, 2017 Look up Tundra Leather in Hamilton. They have frequent workshops. https://tundraleather.ca/. Also, Canadian Society Of Leathercraft. Thay are located in your area and should be able to help you as well. http://canadianleathercraft.org/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Veej Report post Posted September 22, 2017 Wow... thanks guys... you all Rock... !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted October 1, 2017 Hello Veej Britain did have a large leather industry, but it suffered from the advent of plastics/PVC and, like many western economies from competition from the far East, especially China. So now it no longer has any serious mass production leather industry, but has a lot of small specialist/upmarket/handmade suppliers. Without wishing to sound too biased, it is generally accepted that two of the best makers of leatherwork videos on YouTube are British; Nigel Armitage and Ian Atkinson/Leodis Leather. Also have a look at Jacklore Knives; although best known for his knives, he also makes the sheaths, and his videos on that are good & interesting. In fact there are about 10 or 12 pages on leatherwork on YouTube, each with about 20 videos - watch as many as you have the stamina for! Nigel Armitage's video 'How to make a simple Wallet', or some similar title is actually a good introduction to leatherwork, and a wallet would be a good place to start Try your library for a book on leatherwork. the one by Valerie Michael is often recommended, but just about any book will give you the basics. Also work through this forum, especially the sections on Getting Started; Tools; and Sewing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plinkercases Report post Posted October 1, 2017 I'm from Toronto as well. Welcome! I started with the Al stohlman books from Tandy. Watched some of their basic videos, Nigel and Ian as have been mentioned and just started working at it. When a new project presented something new I went and found books to DVD and YouTube sources... Sheridan carving etc. As an example. I get leather from Tandy (Markham shop which uses to be Scarboro and real close to me) if necessary but usually through a friend with a serious leather goods production product shop in Guelph. I am eating for a chance to try an order with some new guys out west who just started up and seem to have good prices and free shipping in Canada... name escapes me and it isn't on my phone here. I will find the name and post them. And search this forum as creatively as you can... if you are going to ask it... chances are it already has been in some form or another and answered here by those who have gone on ahead of us in the craft... even if only by a day! I am in the east end if you ever want to meet for a coffee and leather chat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Veej Report post Posted October 6, 2017 Hi everyone, sorry got busy with some personal matters... life has to walk all over you sometimes.... Anyways, thanks for the responses I will definately look at the videos, as I do want to start with a simple project, like handle bar fringes for my motorcycle and next a leather wallet as my first stitching project. Murray, I'll email you regarding meeting up for coffee.... Thanks ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tundra Leather Report post Posted November 20, 2017 Thanks for the kind words about our workshops. We're always willing to help people out and teach them new skills! http://tundraleather.ca/product-category/workshops/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
