This leatherworking business has been a massive learning curve.  There’s been lots of reading, research online, skill sharing, making a mess of things,talking to experts when we can but sometimes there’s just no alternative but to get out there.

So a favourite with the Leather Ladies is what we call the “Research and Development” day. This involves Hazel (Haifflinch Designs) and I (Tiddleyworks) packing our little bags before climbing into one of our cars and heading off on a voyage of leather exploration.

In spite of my satnav, we do invariably get lost somewhere along the way but this is soon sorted by Hazel winding down the passenger window and asking the way from passers by.

One of our best days out was to Walsall.  Not far I know but we did go via two sewing machine shops with my little old (heavy) Jones machine which was trundled down back streets from the car between us (“To me – to you”).  The first shop was in Walsall but they couldn’t help us and suggested that we visit Nutt’s in Bloxwich.  So off we went again with the satnav bleating.

Having safely deposited the machine for repair in Bloxwich we headed back into Walsall, looking for the Leather Museum.  We found it after a few U-turns etc.  and ate lunch first across the road at Morrison’s.

We had a wonderful time at the Leather Museum, and learnt loads. I was fascinating to see just how many different types of leather there are and the wide range of uses.   Especially interesting was the shop, where I bought an amazing leatherworking book and a beautiful little coin purse by Whitehouse Cox.  The young gentleman behind the counter was very helpful and gave us some contact details for suppliers in Walsall we could visit.  Hazel picked up a leaflet about leatherworking courses so now we have another “R & D” day planned!