COLOURING TECHNIQUES

Be creative and explore different coloring techniques to make your leather projects come alive using sustainably sourced Australian natural veg-tanned Kangaroo leather. You are only limited by your imagination.

Learn how to marble dye using the marbling gel and explore how to use shaving cream as a base to marble on leather.

Also, another amazing technique is how to use garden rocks with texture to emboss patterns on to leather, creating some amazing textured results.

Then explore how to sponge dye using household items to create great effects. You will have a collection of dyes, acrylics and metallics to play with.

Projects will be practical card wallets and other items which we will assemble after drying overnight. Some items will be hand stitched, others assembled with hardware. You will have gifts to impress friends and family.

Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, we will practice on offcuts first. We all know that hand craft takes time. The beauty of these methods is also that you can decorate leather surfaces quite quickly if you intend to sell your products or time is not on your side!

MANDALA BAG

This is a fabulous functional addition to your accessories. Mandala tooling, (meaning circles) have been beautifully decorated for centuries and are symbolic in Indian and Asian culture.

You will learn the skills of tooling your Mandala patterns to the front and back bag panels. I have an abundance of stamps and ideas to choose from.

You will use soft, supple, black sheep garment leather for the gusset, and natural veg tanned cowhide will be used for the front and back panels of the bag including the shoulder strap.

Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, we can practice stamping on some offcuts first. Then you have the option of either antiquing or dyeing your pieces, and finish with edge burnishing.

Choosing and executing your mandala, along with colouring will take place on the first day, with assembly over the next two days using the “Lazy S” stitch with kangaroo lace and then attaching the straps with hardware.

A very satisfying bag to make.

ELEANA DRAWSTRING BAG

Learn the skills to make this beautiful drawstring bag using supple Goat Nappa for the gusset pouch, in a colour of your choice and you keep the offcuts. Natural veg tanned cowhide will be used for the pre-cut handle, components, and strap.

You will cut the large oval piece by hand to prepare for stitching. Silvia will supply the carved patterns.

Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, we can practice on some offcuts first. You could even opt for easier creative stamped tooling design.

We will explore different coloring techniques using either antiquing or dyeing, then pay attention to burnishing edges. Over two days you will prepare your pieces, and then hand-stitch to assemble the bag.

Bring any beads with a large inside hole along or we’ll use a leather closure. There’s some pretty spiffy looking hardware we’ll use to finish off your masterpiece. Loads of fun!