A selection of leather at an in-person sandal making workshop.
About the leather we use
In each workshop, I talk to my students about leather. The fact that our material comes from an animal dictates the first rule of sandal making - Conserve Leather (the second rule - Remember your Rights and Lefts)
Although leather isn’t a Vegan material, it is uniquely suited for sandal making: our shoes take quite the beating, especially sandals. The structure of a sandal is open; exposed to the elements and the salts & oils from our skin. Despite this, well-taken-care of sandals can last for years (decades even!) and can be repaired and restored, while plastic sandals go to the landfill after a season or two. Plus, sandal making can make use of small pieces of leather, which further minimizes waste.
I want to make our sandals as sustainable as possible. In 2020, I committed to sourcing all leather I use from US-based tanneries. I’m still working towards that goal; I’m about 75% there (the global pandemic has created obstacles towards fully actualizing this goal)
The ‘core’ leather we use in our workshops - black, brown, natural - is Latigo, a type of leather that is also used for saddlery & horse tack. All of our hides are byproducts from the US meat industry, and most of them are tanned in the US. The rest are tanned in Mexico.
In addition to neutral Latigo colors, I also offer a rotating selection of colorful leather. I have partnered with my friend and fellow leather artisan Jill Harrell of Scabby Robot to utilize the leather offcuts from her gorgeous handbags. Jill has an impeccable eye for color and is fastidious about the quality of leather she hand-picks. This partnership is mutually beneficial - Jill can keep her studio zero-waste, and I can offer sustainable colorful leather to my students for their sandal creations.
My favorite quote about leather came from my student, Lisa:
“When you use leather for your sandals, or to make a drum or a bag, you are giving the animal a new life. It is walking a new journey with you.”
I’m still learning about leather, and the best practices of sustainable use. I’ll update this page regularly as my small business continues to evolve and grow.