Traditional Metis Beadwork–in leather

 

For the last few weeks (maybe almost six at this point) I have been working on a series of pieces for the Metis Nation. I honestly think this is one of the most meaningful projects that I’ve ever done – transferring traditional Metis beadwork patterns into leather.

The simplicity and floral patterns present in the beadwork pieces fused wonderfully with my instinctual style, and I was given a variety of beadwork patterns to choose from, so had the opportunity to see how a range of pieces would transfer.

The result is a body of work I am truly in love with.  Each piece is unique and has elements of my style but is clearly a Metis beadwork pattern at the same time.  The Metis will be selling these at events in Eastern Canada this holiday season, but if you see one that you can’t live without, let me know and I will put you in touch with someone who can sell it to you!

xo

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Making it Right

I spend a lot of time thinking about customer service.  I think it comprises at least 50% of my job and takes about an equivalent amount of time, so why shouldn’t I think about it? I truly love my customers, and appreciate all the support that you all have given me over the years.  What I strive to do is make your dreams in leather come true.

Of course I realize that sometimes that doesn’t happen.  A few weeks ago I got a phone call from a customer.  I had made him a bible cover and he was calling to say that it didn’t fit.  Not because of something I’d done, but because he had measured incorrectly. Truthfully, when he called, I didn’t have an answer.  I had shipped what he ordered, and he offered to buy another that was the right size, but that just didn’t sit right with me. I told him to give me a few days to think on it.

I emailed him a few days later to ask for the right dimensions – since it was the front to back measurement that was short, I had him send back the cover and told him I’d stitch in an extension piece at the spine.  So he sent it back.  And I cut one of my pieces in half.

I then measured a strip of leather and put holes in both sides, and corresponding holes in the bible cover.  A few dying and stitching moments later, we had a new bible cover.  Or, a reworked bible cover – hopefully a better fit!

I actually really like how the new spine looks, and hopefully he does, too! Any sort of repairs always take longer than making the original piece since they almost always involve taking the original piece apart.  Sometimes that’s time consuming, sometimes just scary, because the goal is to make the re-worked piece look like it was the original. I think in this instance we succeeded.  I may just make more journals like this!

xo

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Staying Home

 

Today we’re all home – the little girl had a fever over the weekend and is a super cuddle-bug right now, and mom and dad have both been working over-time so a day hanging out as a family seemed like a a good thing.  And in celebration of our day at home, I thought I’d share a progress shot of a guitar strap that I was working on yesterday.  It says “Bring it on home…” in big western letters, and has some western silver engraving style flowers in the background.  It’s a custom piece, but I really like the combination of the flowers and embellishments in the background with this font. Here’s to hoping the customer does, too!

xo

c