40 Under 40: Meet Lily Spackman

This week we are getting to know Lily Spackman who is busy with all kind of leatherwork as wel as working towards her final SMS exam. Lets get to know her better with a quick Q&A.

Tell us a bit about what you do?

I work mainly from my own workshop doing repairs and bespoke items. I cover equestrianism, shooting and other country sports, personal accessories (belts etc) and anything else that comes through the door! 

The rest of the time I’m out saddle fitting, whilst working towards my final exam with SMS.

How did you get into making leather goods?

I visited Capel Manor College along with Hertfordshire Heavy Horse Association on an evening visit and fell in love with the craft. I then applied to attend Capel Manor College a few weeks later and started straight after my GCSEs. 

What is your favourite product to make?

I’d say box work. Although I love making bridles for horses and seeing them on the horse, I get a kick out of doing anything involving box work and case making. They’re always so different and unique!

What do you love most about working with leather?

I love how unique every piece of leather is. You can go from using harness leather which is very thick and robust yet cuts like butter, to pig skin which is thin yet so strong and hard wearing, then to calf and goat skin which is lovely and soft and comes in loads of colours that makes your mind run wild with ideas. 

I also love it when a customer comes back a few years later and tells me that their item still looks as good as new. Quality leather items will last a lifetime!

What are your next goals?

My next immediate goal is to do my saddle fitting exam and then just keep growing my business. I only began my business properly earlier this year so I just want to build that up further.

What advice would you give to someone who's thinking about becoming a leather worker or who has just started out?

Remember why you’re doing it! You’ll have some days that will really challenge you. Other days you get something that you really want to get your teeth in to!

What does it mean to you to be included in the 40 under 40 list?

I really appreciate being chosen as one of the 40 people to be selected. I still have no idea who put my name down in the first place but I’m very grateful that someone thought of me when they saw the Scholarship open. It means a bit of help to get myself out there a bit more and had a great opportunity to spend a day with Suzie Fletcher and chat to other likeminded leather workers. 

How important do you think it is to keep traditional techniques alive in the modern world?

These days we are losing so many traditional skills and trades. Modern technology is taking over so much. It’s great to have a job that has so much history to it and is so well loved that it probably will be around for many years to come!

What have you done to keep relevant in a digital age?

I’m not a very tech savvy person. But I have found that social media has helped me reach people and having a website has been great for me. It’s a place for me to show off my work and prove what I can do without limits. 

What is the biggest challenge to becoming successful in your discipline?

The biggest challenge I have found is educating the public on quality leather products and modern animal welfare. Teaching them that, yes, they are paying a bit more for it, but it is a sustainable material that is a bioproduct from an animal that has been very well looked after in its previous life. They’re also paying for quality fittings where everyone is paid fairly and finally it’s made by hand, with care that you won’t find with the bigger companies. 

With regards to the equine industry, its educating people on the importance of well fitting tack that is safe for use. Owners need to realise that by spending money on good tack that fits well and is suitable, you’ll have a much happier horse and probably a better relationship with them.  

For more information, please visit www.lssaddlery.co.uk

To join this network of great makers, please follow Lily's Instagram page HERE