I love sharing my work with others, whether it’s with customers holding one of our handcrafted bags for the first time, or anyone curious about what goes into making leather goods the old-fashioned way. When I talk about my craft, I usually start with design ideas, colors, functionality, and materials. But there’s something even more important I like to emphasize: the traditional leathercrafting techniques I use, methods that have been passed down for centuries.
This choice wasn’t accidental. In today’s world, modern machines can turn out leather products quickly and cheaply, making fashion more accessible. And yet, I still choose the slow way – the traditional way. Why?
Above is a short video of me skiving leather, a process where we thin down the material. Skiving is one of the essential skills every leathercrafter learns and practices. It allows us to adjust the leather to the exact thickness needed for each project. At its core, this technique is about being resourceful and minimizing waste. Instead of buying new materials or turning to cheaper, less sustainable alternatives, I can create the thinner piece I need from the leather I already have.
Lessons From the Pioneers
One of my favorite books has always been the Little House on the Prairie series. Whenever I read it, I imagine myself in that little cabin with Laura Ingalls, where every resource was precious. Nothing was wasted. When the family hunted, they saved the hides, knowing they could be turned into something essential.
Once a year, the cobbler would come to the home of Almanzo Wilder, stay for days, and craft shoes for each family member. Those boots weren’t just footwear; they were tools for survival, built to endure snow, rain, farming, and long walks. They represented durability, resourcefulness, and care.
That pioneer spirit, making the best use of what nature provides and creating things meant to last, still guides me and many others today.
Why Traditional Leathercraft Matters Today
At Arbor Trading Post, we use 100% natural, full-grain leather from reputable tanneries committed to environmentally sustainable practices. The hides are slowly tanned with plant-based methods that take months, not days, to complete. The result is leather that is strong, supple, and destined to grow more beautiful with age. For example, all our belts are made from leather from Wickett-Craig, one of the oldest and best in the US. You can read about their long history and sustainable process here.
Each piece I make is designed to be heirloom quality. It is meant to be used for decades. And when its long life is finally over, natural leather is biodegradable, unlike synthetic, plastic-based materials that linger in landfills for centuries. Traditional leathercrafting also produces minimal waste, ensuring that every hide is respected and used thoughtfully.
In choosing this path, I’m not just preserving craft. I’m helping reduce the cycle of constant consumption, disposal, and replacement.
A Personal Connection to Craft
My love for working with my hands runs deep. I grew up in China at a time when children wore leather shoes to school. I had Mary Jane styles, but also loved black lace-ups that were thought to be for boys. We only got to wear white tennis shoes for gym class only.
At night, my father would bring out the polish and brush and clean shoes for the whole family. He also taught my sister and me how to care for our shoes once we were old enough. A new pair was an event in itself. My parents would carefully discuss the type of leather, the quality, and how long the shoes would last. We learned to invest in comfort and durability.
Clothes were the same. We would buy fabric, visit the tailor, and listen as my parents debated with her or him about the right cut and style. One tailor shop could serve the entire neighborhood. That focus on quality and longevity shaped how I see the world.
Like many people, I had phases where I chased fashion, enjoying the thrill of something new. Who didn’t? I smiled while listening to my sister talking about how my 81 year-old father bought cute but useless items on his smart phone. But over time, I realized that those trendy purchases rarely brought lasting joy. What I truly cherished were the items I had chosen carefully, the ones made with quality and integrity and suited my needs and endured over time.
That’s the philosophy I bring to every bag, wallet, and belt I create.
Carrying Tradition Forward
When you choose handcrafted sustainable leather goods made with traditional techniques, you’re not just buying a product. You’re carrying forward a tradition of respect, for resources, for craftsmanship, and for durability. You’re choosing items that tell a story of the people who make them, and your own journey when you use them.
For me, this work about more than leather. It’s about connection to history, to nature, and to values that remind us that quality, care, and longevity are worth preserving.
That is the true meaning of doing leather work the traditional and meaningful way.
