Hi I am Barry, a family man, used to be a full-time chef, had my own catering business a while back and now I am developing a business working with leather (and occassionally other materials).  I came to this genre` when I was managing a small hotel and perusing the internet whilst waiting for arrivals.  I got bitten by the bug sort of speak; it seemed to my mind to be similar to working with pastry, molding, shaping, building layers, but mainly getting into the feel of the leather.

It is a continuous journey of learning for me, lots of trial and error, fixing and replacing, designing, gathering tools, materials, information, skills – great fun! But also I have had to subsidise myself by taking on other unintended opportunities as one does when self employed.

Leather is a beautiful material and improves with use and proper care: so many variety of thickness, type, quality, colour, and can last a lifetime.  It can be an investment and a treasure, a joy to use, to wear, to protect, to carry, to look at and to sit on – so many uses.

In our present society and culture it has become quite normal to throw away and replace with new; part of a popular passtime, of going shopping and picking up what you fancy, buying, showing it off and sending to the back of the wardrobe.  For some, a more recent interest is the recycle and re-purpose genre` which I see as great. 

 Lots of leather goods can be brought back to life and strength to do their job again, if one has the skills or interest to clean and feed the leather object and repair it, if and when needed then a new life is totally possible.

I am about buying something in leather that you love, and over time appreciate, cherish and care for the object.  It could be something original, a one off or maybe something utilitarian, like a belt, or a bag, a couch maybe – but it will last and last, become part of your identity perhaps. 

Consider this – how much landfill have you avoided by your choice; how much value you have had or will have from your purchase.  Ok we need to recognise and appreciate an animal may have had his/her life ended in the process for feeding the nation. Lets give some dignity and appreciation to the role they play by chosing to care for, and appreciate the value their life has given, we do this by acknolwedgement of the process, good care, and investing in a by product, (not tossing it) and importantly enjoy and appreciating it.

Part of my craft as a leather worker as I see it, is to clean, care and repair, for leather goods so that their life and value can be supported, lengthened and respected.

If you have any questions or wish to know more about Kirk Leather Works please contact me, I will be happy to help if I can.

Best regards

Barry Kirk

barry@kirkleatherworks.com  

kirkleatherworks.com