#smithbros

What was it like getting started learning a new craft? What was my mindset before I started? If you'd asked me five years ago whether I would be able to produce beautiful handmade leather MacBook sleeves, journal covers and wallets I would have laughed.

What was my mindset before I started?

If you’d asked me five years ago whether I would be able to produce beautiful handmade leather MacBook sleeves, journal covers and wallets I would have laughed.

My background is teaching, but not anything technical or hands-on. So I know which end of the hammer to hold but I’ve never been particularly skilled at manual tasks.

I’ve had some…

Craft is about design thinking… But you need pencils, pens, rulers and notebooks to get started

Pencils

When you’re getting started with a craft like leatherwork you realise really quickly that a lot of it is about design and design thinking.

And this means the three Ps:

Plans

Patterns

Prototypes.

For the design process, in my work, I like to have some good pencils, pens, a sturdy notebook and steel rulers handy.

You need to have pencils and pens handy for drawing plans and…

What tools do you need to get started with leatherwork? If you follow my blog, you'll know that I've been writing more about leatherwork. This is one of my hobbies... or should I say obsessions.

How do I get started with leatherwork?

If you follow my blog, you’ll know that I’ve been writing more about leatherwork. This is one of my hobbies… or should I say obsessions.

Sometimes, usually on my Smith Bros Instagram account, or as part of the Smith Bros Ultimate Leatherwork Fundamentals Mentorship people want to know how to get started.

If you’re interested, here’s a partial…

Apply for the SMITH BROS Ultimate Leatherwork Fundamentals Mentorship

Are you interested in getting into Leatherwork? Have you been wondering how to get started?

Let’s talk – I can help you discover your passion for leather.

I have 10 spots in my new Ultimate Leatherwork Fundamentals Mentorship.

Click here now to see if this online mentoring and masterclass is for you.

How do I get started with leatherwork? Are you looking for a creative side project?

Are you looking for a satisfying new skill to learn? Everyone needs a creative side project, right?

Are you interested in discovering your passion for making cool stuff with your hands?

Here’s the thing… I wanna help you discover the craft of leatherwork! Check out this fantastic leather laptop sleeve I made the other day.

I’m opening up 10 spots for my two-month Leatherwork Mastery…

Sometimes I like to make things and sometimes I need to make things. Often it's both at the same time. Here's what the process looks like below for a recent project. This was to replace another leather laptop cover that was stolen.

Check out @smith_bros on Instagram

Sometimes I like to make things and sometimes I need to make things. Often it’s both at the same time.

Here’s what the process looks like below for a recent project. This was to replace a leather laptop sleeve I made that got stolen recently.

Step 1: Make a plan and then make a pattern

The photo for this is up top. The glass of red wine is…