Hi from Killarney, Australia

Hello!

I've recently moved the Scenic Rim in South East Queensland and loving the new setting. I have a background in garment making and have been making leather goods for the past.... 10 years? but it was an extremely slow start. I spent the first 5+ years with a craft blade, a threaded awl and a kitchen cutting mat, prioritising work and paying off the home loan.

I discovered Instagram about 5 years ago which was my main source of training/education in leathercraft, trying to do it all myself, until I did my first course with a leatherworker in Australia, Martin Carswell. I learnt a HUGE amount that helped refine what I was doing, but it was also a turning point for deciding to commit more financial to both my tools and my learning - hence I'm both super excited and super ready to dive in to this course. I'm one project down (tote bag) taking notes and checking them twice - and loving it.

I have predominantly been making bifold wallets but I've also made knife sheaths, tobacco rolls, medicine and tool cases, handbags and other personal items. LOVE saddle-stitching. I work almost exclusively with veg tanned kangaroo, with some napa and bridle. I have yet to learn to love chrome.... I don't think I had enough skills/knowledge at the time to turn it into anything I liked.

Goals? To knuckle down and squeeze everything I can out of this opportunity to learn, to complete every video/project, and to discover things I didn't know where there to discover.

Cheers!

Laura