December 2024

Shop Talk

A Celebration of All Things Leather

Shop Talk1 min read
Illume
Editor in Chief MISTY SHAW Editorial Director SAVANNAH KELLER Editor DENYS MANNINEN Designer MICHELLE NELSON Advertising Coordinator/Office Manager/Accounting SAVANNAH KELLER ■
Shop Talk3 min read
Editor’s Note
Dear Readers, The holidays are upon us, and we’re delighted to bring you a festive, idea-packed edition of Illume this month. Among our pages, you’ll find inspiring stories, skillful artisans, and even a fun DIY to get you into the holiday spirit. If
Shop Talk3 min read
Contributors
B. Crawford has written, co-written or ghostwritten more than three dozen books over the last thirty years, including Border Radio: Quacks, Yodelers, Pitchmen, Psychics and Other Amazing Broadcasters of the American Airwaves (Univ. of Texas Press: 20
Shop Talk1 min read
Game Changer!!!
Tired of wasting cement and thinner when pouring it into smaller containers? It runs down the side of the can, or even getting on your bench and floor. Morrison Custom Saddlery…and Boots! is happy to introduce the Cement Spout! It fits the Barge one
Shop Talk1 min read
Unlock The Extraordinary With TLG!
Got a wild color in mind or a design you think can’t be done? Think again! At TLG, we specialize in making the impossible possible—whether it’s funky cowhides, custom embossed leathers, personalized prints, and beyond! Let your creativity run free, a
Shop Talk1 min read
Horween Leather Bundles - 40 sqft
Horween second run leather bundles are the perfect way to get started this season! An incredible value for both beginners, and experienced leather workers. Leather bundles composed of various colors, styles and thicknesses; some softer, some firmer -
Shop Talk2 min read
A Tribute To Beloved Boot And Shoe Repairman Gaylon Harden
Gaylon Harden, former owner and operator of Southwest Boot & Shoe Repair in Wichita Falls, Texas, and Texas Best Boot & Shoe Repair in Amarillo, passed away on September 17, after a five-year battle with cancer. He proved that he was a fighter time a
Shop Talk1 min read
Remembering Dave Murdock
During the recent Hurricane Debbie there was heavy flooding in the Westfield community. Keystone Leather and the entire leather world lost a dear friend in Dave Murdock. Dave was a founding partner in Keystone Leather and allowed many of you in the b
Shop Talk6 min read
55th Annual Harness Maker’s Get-Together Minutes
Hosts: Brenneman Leather Goods-Salisbury, PA. Meeting: Conducted by Reuben Byler (Chairman) Meeting called to order by Reuben Byler. Thanked everyone for being present at our 55th annual Harness Maker’s Get-together. It is good to see everyone. We ca
Shop Talk4 min read
Learning With Liisa
LET’S SHOW ASHEVILLE, NC LEATHER ARTISTS SOME LOVE Happy December from Asheville, NC y’all! This month, I’m devoting this space to spotlighting some of Asheville, NC’s top leather artisans. I’ve lived in this amazingly creative and spiritual communit
Shop Talk5 min read
The Hide Report
Together with 21 other global leather industry associations, the Sustainable Leather Foundation has brought the fashion industry’s excessive use of disposable, irreparable goods to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). The “Leath
Shop Talk2 min read
A Simple Trick To Avoid Costly Cutting Mistakes
As leathercrafters, if we were to really put some thought into it, how many hundreds of tips could we pass along to newer folks, or even more experienced makers? I imagine most of these tips would be simple tricks we never really think about because
Shop Talk8 min read
Bob Brenner: The March Continues
In spite of what social media would have you believe, many people fight private battles where the stakes are life and death. A few special people bring them water when they need it. I’d like to tell you about one of them. Bob Brenner comes from a ran
Shop Talk4 min read
Alan Franklin: Boots & Choppers
It might be stretching the blanket to say that Alan Franklin, who makes beautiful cowboy boots in Mineola, Texas, was pre-ordained to join the brotherhood of bootmakers. On the other hand, such a statement might be right on the money. After all, Alan
Shop Talk5 min read
Craftsman and Entrepreneur Bob Bennett Expanding Market for Duffs Leathercare
Over the course of his lifetime, Bob Bennett has been many things: Boy Scout, bull rider, construction worker, horseman, cattleman, craftsman and building inspector. As a father of five, with seven grandchildren and one great-grand, he’s also been, a
Shop Talk3 min read
Waste to Wonder
During the holidays, custom orders and fine leather products are popular gifts for so many people, keeping artisans and craftsmen everywhere busy with intricate details and painstaking work. This often leaves a lot of scrap leather behind: through of
Shop Talk9 min read
Alan Zerobnick’s Shoe School: Education with a Whole Lotta Sole
If you have any interest in designing shoes, making shoes, selling shoes or anything to do with shoes, Alan Zerobnick has three words of advice for you. “Go for it,” he says. After you decide to go for it, your next step is to check out shoeschool.co
Shop Talk3 min read
Seat Fillers
Powered by This month’s ‘how to’ is brought to you by Learn with Illume, an online platform that provides world-class instruction for leathercrafters. For the full course go to www.learnwithillume.com or scan the QR code below. And don’t forget to fo
Shop Talk4 min read
Unlocking Action, Intention, and Excellence in Future Leaders
I am a ‘doer’ by nature – someone who favors action over inaction. As a result, I thrive on working in an environment of calculated risk-taking and swift decision-making. But what if this isn’t someone’s natural predisposition? How can we help collea
Shop Talk2 min read
Classifieds
NEW SUBSCRIBERS WANTED. Now is the time to renew and see what you have been missing! Give us a call at (435) 565-6052, e-mail: savannah@burns1876.com or visit www.illumeconnect.com. GREAT OPPORTUNITY. Burns 1876 is now hiring saddlemakers, bootmakers

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