A Leathercrafter's
Journal

Welcome to the digital workbench of Bryan Swift and Swift Leatherworks, where we handcraft leather news, resources, opinions, and the occasional love letter to the ancient art of leatherwork.

Getting Started in Leathercraft: Where to Buy Tools and Materials
Getting Started in Leathercraft: Where to Buy Tools and Materials
|Bryan Swift
The early history of leathercraft The origin of leather and leatherworking goes back to the very beginning of human civilization, with the Sumerians and Etruscans, around 3,000 B.C. Some historians... Read more...
Welcome to the Leatherverse: My Adventures in Leathercraft
Welcome to the Leatherverse: My Adventures in Leathercraft
|Bryan Swift
The world of leather is vast. Enormous. Leather is a global industry, replete with retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and tradespeople. There are huge multinational corporations that depend on leather, and there... Read more...
Must-Have Leatherworking Tools for Beginners
Must-Have Leatherworking Tools for Beginners
|Bryan Swift
It can be overwhelming to be a beginner in leathercraft. It takes years of experience—and lots of money—to faithfully navigate the complex system of leather hides, hardware, supplies, and specialty... Read more...