From the very beginning of human history, leatherworking has been a part of human history, as our ancestors used all parts of the animals they hunted, including their skins. The material’s excellent properties have made it almost indispensable for making various utilitarian objects.

Durable, malleable and easily shaped to suit the needs of the day, leather has stood the test of time. Craftsmen have adapted it to changing times and made it into everyday items – clothing, footwear, storage hose, leather tack, horse tack, and other leather products .

Just as the leather we wear has changed over time, so has the profession itself. While in the past, all processes from leather finishing, conservation and tanning were carried out by the master tanners themselves, over time they evolved into separate trades and crafts. Initially, small tanners’ guild workshops produced the raw material to meet the increased demand. After that, large-scale leather production could begin. As the palette has broadened, there has been a separation between the professions that deal with leather, but also those that make a specific product. These included bootmaker, harnessmaker, horse toolmaker, saddler or leatherworker.

Just as leatherwork itself has become an integral part of folk cultures, it has also drawn from them. The objects made are richly decorated using folk motifs, which in addition to their function also carry a message.

The motifs and symbols have something to say, which reveals the beliefs, affiliation and personality of the wearer. Most of all, the objects chosen by the wearer or created in collaboration with the creator provide authentic information about the user.

The leather craftsman produces his unique creations by hand, using real leather as the raw material, and other natural materials. The process of creation is therefore extremely time-consuming, especially for unique, small batch products, and this is reflected in the selling price. He does not follow the latest fashion trends by working with folk motifs, but he creates his works with the needs of today in mind.

The profession of leather decorator, on the other hand, was born out of the modern age, with the emergence of leatherette production. Thanks to the ever-improving quality of faux leather, products are being produced in large series, by machines, always in line with the latest fashion, at a lower price, but due to the nature of the material, these utility items are not long-lived. To avoid this, I stick to the best quality leather materials and exclusive handwork, but I also incorporate and incorporate leather decorating techniques into my creations.