08/24/2025
A recent IG post by regarding the social media challenges facing leather workers really hit home with me. I started typing a response in the comments, but it became too large to post, which was frustrating. Instead, I copied my comment that wouldn’t send, opened a new IG post of my own, and tried to paste my original comment here instead… only for Instagram to delete it from my clipboard. Ironic. :-)
In a nutshell, I wanted to thank all of the manufacturers and distributors I use, because this craft wouldn’t be possible without them. And I especially want to thank the makers and leather workers who share not only the photos and stories of the items they make, but also those who share their journey as well.
There are far too many folks to mention - as is obvious from viewing the accounts I follow on IG - most of those being leather workers. I literally have Google sheets containing hundreds of names, websites and social media links of leather workers. I’ve learned more from these folks in the last 10 years than I can possibly begin to recount.
To share my thanks with them and with each one of you reading this post, I’d like to pass along a resource that has helped me in my crafting journey.
“A Craftsman’s Legacy: Why Working with Our Hands Gives Us Meaning” – May 7, 2019 by Eric Gorges & Jon Sternfeld
ISBN-13 : 978-1616208363
I posted about this book back in 2020, and it’s still my number 1 recommendation for anyone who is a craftsperson. At only $12.50 it’s an absolute steal on Amazon for a hardcover book and a pleasure to read. I sent nearly a dozen copies out as gifts - the book is that good!
