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What about my belt if my pants size changes?

There are enough holes in each belt to welcome moderate changes in size, aka losing or gaining some weight. Holidays dinners and Spring diets are well documented! But beyond that, you may simply need a new belt!

What about custom creations? And repairs?

Yes and yes. If you have something specific in mind, or even an idea that you would like to develop, feel free to contact me and we will have a conversation. The only absolute limitation is that I will EXCLUSIVELY use veg-tanned leather, NOT chrome or other chemically tanned ones. Otherwise I will be thrilled to talk about your vision. Same with repairs. Giving a second breath to an evergreen is something both noble and enjoyable and I will definitely take a look at it before I say yes OR no.

Custom pieces are made to order. Just like repairs, when we agree upon both the work and the price, I am expecting a full payment when the order is actually placed.

Returns and exchanges?

I am currently not able to accept either returns or exchanges. These are for the most part unique pieces, not industrially-made ones. I am an artisan, not a retailer. But please contact me if any issue arises and I will do my best to work with you on it.

What is veg-tanned leather?

It stands for vegetable-tanned leather. The process of vegetable tanning uses organic material and natural tannins derived from the barks, leaves and branches of trees and plants and spans over several weeks of treatment. This results in colors that are rich and deep in natural earthy tones such as browns, beiges, yellows and reds. The fibers of the animal hide used for the leather are visible in the finished product, lending an authenticity and personality to the leather that makes it more unique.

Vegetable-tanned leather also has a distinctively sweet, woody fragrance that is normally associated with leather. Each piece made with this leather has unique shades and nuances, which are a mark of genuineness and a characteristic of natural tanning processes.; the vegetable tanning process results in leather with a distinct appearance and unmatched durability.

Is veg-tanned leather waterproof?

Simply put: no, at least not naturally. The use of a good quality conditioner may greatly help, however. But even then, a prolonged exposure to heavy water will ultimately soak your leather. The key is, just like about anything, to be aware of what it does and does not. And if you take good care of it, it will take great care of you for a lifetime.

What does “French saddle-stitched” mean?

The saddle stitch is arguably the strongest stitch we know of. It can be tracked back to the last centuries B.C. in saddle work and is still used today (by me, among many others). Wherever strength, reliability and durability are the major factor, such as bridles, holsters and obviously saddles, then saddle-stitching is the way to go. The main inconvenient? It goes on average 40 times slower than a sewing machine. Time being also money, that explains the high prices.

While a machine stitch uses two pieces of thread to perform a lock stitch, the saddle stitch is achieved with two needles on the end of a single thread. On the other hand, sewing machines push an upper thread down through all layers, where a lower thread then loops around the upper. Then the upper thread is pushed back up. This produces the lock stitch.

A saddle-stitch is both ends of a single thread passing through each hole in opposite directions. There’s more to it than just that, but this is the main idea.

Where do I source my leather?

In Ohio. That doesn’t mean it’s tanned in Ohio, nor that the cows and water buffalos grazed on Ohio pastures. For the most part, the animals are raised and slaughtered in the US , and their hides are sent to a tannery in St Louis, Missouri and another one near Veracruz, Mexico. Both still have the facilities and the rare skills to process veg-tanned leather. As a side note, Mexico’s very deep leather tradition comes from the Spaniards, and it was passed on American settlers in the late 1840s, following the Santa Fe Trail northwards. Where do you think cow-boy saddles come from?

Why do I only use veg-tanned leather?

Veg-tanned leather uses very few chemicals in the process, therefore it is far less polluting and does not jeopardize the health and life of tannery workers, unlike chrome-tanned leather used by 95% of the industry. Veg-tanned is also bio-degradable, lasts longer, is far more beautiful and enjoyable to work with.

Can you visit my studio?

Unfortunately no. My current facility does not allow me to enjoy this kind of visits, mainly for safety reasons. There are a lot of blades and needles on and around the workbench, and I want everyone to be safe. But eventually this is part of the plan moving forward, as I believe ancient crafts are meant to be shared if we want to keep them alive and thriving among new generations.