My Journey

Leather carving and tooling.
Leather carving and tooling.
My passion for leather carving began with classic Western Films, where I fell in love with the elaborate, hand tooled saddles, belts and holsters worn by cowboys. What started as... Read more...
2/3 The Outlaws and Orcs - 40th Robin Hood Festival
2/3 The Outlaws and Orcs - 40th Robin Hood Festival
The second weekend of the 40th Robin Hood Festival transformed Sherwood Forest into a world of fantasy - Orcs, Tolkien costumes, and a childhood dream unexpectedly coming full circle. Read more...
Sherwood Dust and Shining Armour - The 40th Robin Hood Festival
Sherwood Dust and Shining Armour - The 40th Robin Hood Festival
The 40th Robin Hood Festival arrived in a haze of Sherwood dust and jousting knights. My stall was buzzing, my workshops were non-stop, and the feedback was invaluable. Read more...
Wild Wood Art Weekend - Sherwood Forest
Wild Wood Art Weekend - Sherwood Forest
My very first festival stall in the heart of Sherwood Forest. I prepared to the absolute limit of my capacity, and what followed was far from what I expected, but... Read more...
The Medieval Tent - Another Door Opens
The Medieval Tent - Another Door Opens
The Sherwood Forest festivals gave priority to traders with medieval tents, and I had no budget, no knowledge, and no idea where to start. Then someone simply said: 'I have... Read more...
Community Leathercraft Project
Community Leathercraft Project
I offered eight free places for a community leathercraft taster session. Five people cancelled and only three came. It was not the beginning I had imagined - but it was... Read more...
When Maun Industries Took Notice
When Maun Industries Took Notice
I was struggling to cut saddlers' rivets and often had to wait for help. Then a local engineer pointed me towards Maun Industries - and what followed was something I... Read more...
Heritage Crafts Bursary - Shortlisted 7th May 2026
Out of 203 applicants, I was shortlisted to the final 28 for a Heritage Crafts Bursary to train with master leatherworker Nigel Armitage. I didn't make it,  but here's what it meant, and why the story doesn't end there.... Read more...
The Business Cards That Opened a Door
The Business Cards That Opened a Door
I printed my first business cards and set out to find places to leave them, only to be turned away everywhere. Then a small change of direction on the way... Read more...