Tabla de contenidos para November 2024 en Illume

Horween second run leather bundles are the perfect way to get started this season! An incredible value for both beginners, and experienced leather workers. Leather bundles composed of various colors, styles and thicknesses; some softer, some firmer - some darker, some lighter. Hand selected sides, ranging from 35-45 sqft; though we try to our best stay above 40 sqft. Get your hands on some of the most unique and limited leathers out there with these miscellaneous bundles! 2nd run leathers; some hides will have defects ranging from color variation to brands, holes, loose break, tannery swatch cuts, etc. Search “bundle” on our website to view our large selection of various leather bundles. www.maverickleathercompany.com Give us a call or email with any questions. 541-797-2108 • info@maverickleathercompany.com…

ElktracksStudio.com, a website focused on online leathercraft instruction, is celebrating its seventh anniversary. Founded in 2017 by Jim Linnell and Michael Magnus, the website has evolved into a comprehensive resource with over 200 videos from renowned leather-working instructors worldwide. “In 2023, we easily helped teach over 7,000 leatherworkers through live classes, online workshops, and video downloads,” said Jim Linnell. “Perhaps more impressively, there were over 51,000 downloads of free patterns from the website last year, and we are on track to do even more in 2024 because of the growing interest and demand created by all of the new additions. It’s fulfilling to see people that are so enthusiastic about leatherwork!” The 200th video is the second in a two-part series by Jurgen Volbach on creating a three-dimensional raven atop…

“I NEVER ANTICIPATED MAKING MONEY OFF LEATHERWORK. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO BE RELIABLE FOR FELLOW FIRST RESPONDERS TO USE IN THE FIELD WHEN THEY NEEDED TO USE IT MOST.”—KYLE HALM Many first responders view their work as a calling, not a job. For Kyle Halm of Salt City Leather-works, being a firefighter is not only a calling, it is a family tradition. “I am the fourth generation of my family to work in the fire service,” says Kyle, who grew up near Elmira, New York. “When I was a kid, my dad would take me down to the fire station and I would hang out with the guys and all of that. So, I didn’t think of any other occupation besides the fire service.”…

Consumers are becoming more interested in making emotional connections with the brands they support. It’s vital that businesses examine their messaging because consumers are losing trust in companies that aren’t transparent. Consumers are more likely to buy from companies with purpose-driven, authentic stories that build customer trust. If people don’t believe in the founder’s story, they won’t believe in the company. It’s no surprise, then, that Merriam-Webster’s 2023 Word of the Year was ‘Authentic.’ AUTHENTICITY Authenticity can be challenging for business owners, especially if they have difficult past stories. But those difficult stories are exactly what they must explore to create authenticity in both internal and external communications. Gaining the trust of employees and consumers is vital to the company’s success. What does it mean to be authentic? To be…

Four months after his unexpected passing, master saddlemaker K.T. Monson’s presence is still felt, and his voice is still heard, at Swanke Saddlery in Billings, Montana, where he plied his trade alongside Ben Swanke for nearly 40 years. He touched everything that went in and out of the shop. And when it came to challenges, building and adorning a one-of-a-kind saddle of the utmost heirloom quality, he spoke of solutions. A horseman, gunsmith, flint napper, weaver of blankets and tanner of buckskins, Monson was also an encyclopedia of the Mountain Man Era, making beaded period pieces of such authenticity that the Crow Tribe once invited him into a school for an exhibition. A Montana native, he lived briefly in Texas before returning to the state where he knew his life…

“This could be a money-making venture. And it’s grown beyond my wildest dreams.”—Rob Meyer Rob Meyer started out in leather-working in 2014, when he made a custom rugged collar for his late and beloved Doberman Pinscher, Jäger. He’d originally shopped around for a collar, but as he did, he realized Jäger would quickly destroy whatever he bought. Instead, Meyer reasoned he’d be better off learning how to make collars and thus be able to replace them as Jäger wore them out. And that’s what he did, first visiting how-to forums and watching YouTube tutorials. He gave himself about six months, to coincide with Jäger’s first birthday, to produce a collar befitting of a canine the size and bearing of a Doberman. In that timeframe, he figured out what type of…

“When I get an idea, I just kind of go for it.”—Brad Davis Brad Davis grew up on the farm in London Mills, Illinois, that he still lives on. Rural Midwestern blood ran in his veins. His grandfather raised Belgian and Paint horses. He also liked to drive them and he enjoyed using them for hay raking and parades. Brad’s dad instilled a love of saddle horses in him by taking Brad riding with him at a young age. There were cattle on the farm and Brad learned about them as well. He showed cattle in both 4-H and FFA shows. “I grew up around horses and cattle,” remembers Brad. In 1996, when Brad was 16, he broke his first horse to ride. He found that he really liked working…

• From algae lamps to bamboo chairs: young designers shine with sustainable creations • International student competition challenged entrants to design bespoke pieces using only natural materials, inspired by nature’s beauty • Students from London College of Fashion, Central Saint Martins, The Royal College of Arts, Nottingham Trent University, National Institute of Design, India and BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (Bangladesh) all honoured. (London, 30 September 2024) The U.S. Embassy in London was transformed into a stunning natural setting with a backdrop of lush greenery as creative talent and industry experts gathered to celebrate the winners of the inaugural Only Natural Student Design Competition which attracted more than 400 entrants from 68 countries in its first year. In the Fashion section, Molly Wade, won the Apparel category and the…

“It’s exciting to break out of a narrow focus and be inspired by new ideas. We’ve embraced the fashion world at Tanner’s Alley without sacrificing our product quality.”—Charlie McEwuen Way back in 1973, as Charlie McEwuen was serving at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with the “Screaming Eagles,” as the United States Armyʼs 101st Airborne Division is known, he found himself in need of a new sheath for his hunting knife. Instead of buying one from a store, the resourceful soldier recalled the leatherwork component of his shop class back at Sabraton Junior High School in Morgantown, West Virginia. Luckily, Fort Campbell had a craft shop with everything heʼd need to build his own. And when his fellow Eagles got a look at the handsomely executed sheath, they started coming to Charlie…

MATERIALS NEEDED: • Kidskin leather• Ruler or measuring tape• Pen/marking tool of choice• Strapping leather tape (2 inches wide)• Rubber cement• Cobbler’s hammer• Scissors or leather cutting tools• Leather stitcher (Cobra Class 18 used)• Thread (size 48)• 9/32-inch leather hole punch• Utility knife or similar STEP 1: Start by measuring the length of leather for your pull strap. Each pull strap should be 6 inches long. For four pull straps, you’ll need a total of 24 inches in length for leather, allowing extra for trimming. STEP 2: Using your scribed line, place a strip of 2 inch string tape down along the length of the leather. This tape prevents the leather from stretching or tearing. If using 2-inch tape, it will cover the entire width of the leather. Otherwise, align…