The Smell of Leather

I was working in my studio last night when my husband came down with a friend of his, who immediately, upon poking his head into the studio, asked if I did leather branding and tooling. With leather strewn about the studio floor and tables, even hanging from the ceiling, I just said "yep" to which he responded, "it smells like it."

That familiar smell of leather, which I loved so much as a child. I remember the first time I really, really, was engulfed by the smell of leather. I was 13, and we were on a family vacation in Guatemala. I think we were at the biggest market in the city - it was underneath a plaza, so all the smells (both good and bad) were trapped below ground. There was an entire section of leather workers, and the aroma of leather was overwhelming. It is something that, every time I'm overcome with the smell of leather, I think of. There is something comforting about it.

I often get the same comment from customers - that they love how my pieces smell. It's a combination of the leather itself, the dyes, and the finish coat, but they do have what I find to be a faint and pleasant smell. Though I can imagine to anyone who isn't around it 365 days a year, it's a little more noticeable. For me, though, the faint smells of my own work are relaxing - the studio is my peaceful time. The overwhelming smells of leather like those I experienced in Guatemala, are transporting. They bring me back to my first mass exposure to handmade leather goods. To being a child, and to being in one of the most interesting and incredible countries I've ever visited.

Oh yes, and I listed my sale item today, so go check it out :)

7 days of work in the real world left, then more stories about leather, inspiration, and things of the like.

Sale continues! So do the sleepy days

As you can see... it's 10:30 and I'm just now getting around to posting the sale item of the day on my blog! It would be a good day for a nap in the sun if I could convince it to stick around for more than a few minutes. Everything, even the computer, is moving slowly here today. A little more time for resting...

Spring Cleaning Sale Continues...

Amidst the wanderings of two very tired dogs, and one very tired me, I just posted the sale item of the day to my Etsy shop. Hubby took the dogs running last night, and guaranteed they'd be tired today. He's right, though our soon to be one year old puppy, Jax, still can't sit still, even though he's too tired to play.

Me, I'm spending the day in the studio working on some new pieces. The sale item today is one of my very, very favorites. I'm hoping it finds a good home!

More soon...
Moxie

Sale Starts today!

I put the first item up for sale today and here it is - http://www.etsy.com/listing/18055164/one-day-sale-aloysius-journal-leather-in - remember there is only one, and the sale ends either tomorrow at 9am to make room for the next piece, or when this one sells!

Spring Cleaning SALE & New Growth

Over the last few weeks I've been working on new pieces - in batches. Two weeks ago I made 16 new lace style cuffs. Of all of them, I tend to think the Nelly Lace is my favorite, with the flower centered on the wrist and the skulls off to either side, but it's a really tough choice. I posted all of them to my Flickr page, and will slowly be adding them to my Etsy shop as time permits.



This weekend I'm hoping to get some work done on a new line of wrap watches. I think I have some really good ideas for them, though it's always tough to say how good the ideas are until I'm able to test one or two out, and see how they fit and function. I'm really excited to see how they turn out, though. This is, of course, assuming I don't get too distracted by painting the nursery, or planting the garden... *sigh* it's supposed to be beautiful here tomorrow.

Of course, in order to make all these pieces, I'm going to have to do a little spring cleaning, so starting tomorrow, I'll be putting pieces on SALE. Each one will be on sale for 24 hours only - they're all one of a kind, and the sale on each will end either 24 hours after it started (9am PST the following day) or when it sells. I know it's a little unconventional, but check back daily starting April 25th for the sale item of the day. I know I have at least two weeks worth of pieces to put on sale, so if you see on you like don't hesitate. It's the only one, and the sale won't last!

Happy weekend!

Moxie

Moxie and Oliver Give-Away!

So, it's the rare giveaway time here at the Moxie and Oliver workshop. This one is a favor to someone near and dear to me - my husband. He needs people to participate in the following survey:


http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SandSSurvey


It should only take about 10 minutes to complete, and as a thank-you, we'll enter your name in a drawing to win a Moxie and Oliver flask. If you want more chances to win - just refer friends, and you'll get an extra entry for each friend who completes the survey.


We'll leave the survey up until May 2, and then pick the winner! I guarantee, it's totally worth the few minutes of your time for a chance at a M&O flask.

Good luck! And thanks for participating.

Caitlin