40 under 40: Meet Orris Leather

Every Monday, we will be celebrating our one of our 40 under 40 makers.

In no particular order, we are kicking off with Ed Waldon and Chris Holbrook. This fantastic duo run Orris Leather who produce award-winning leathergoods. Despite being relatively new to the leatherwork industry, it’s fair to say both have taken to leatherwork like ducks to water. Both Chris and Ed bring in different and dynamic skills to the business, with Chris having a natural flare for hand-dyed leathergoods and a fearlessness in trying new designs, while Ed is very meticulous and methodical in his approach.
Get to know the two below and find out what drives them every day.

Tell us a bit about what you do? 

Chris and Ed: Based in the rural county of Dorset we make a range of small leather goods using traditional handcrafting techniques. We are self-taught leather workers who are striving to promote the use of traditional crafts to make creative designs with a modern twist. Our vision is to produce items that are ethically responsible and minimise the impact of production on the environment by being conscious to reduce our carbon footprint and source from companies that share our values.

How did you get into making leather goods? / What or maybe who inspired you to start making?

Chris: My stepfather has been in the shoe repair industry for almost 40 years and his father was also a cobbler. I have always taken an interest in leather goods and after undertaking a short shoe making course was inspired to learn more about traditional leather craft.

Ed: Being around horses for most of my life the smell of leather evokes some of my earliest and happiest childhood memories. After a chance conversation with Chris about leather craft I jumped at the chance to work with a material that I feel such a strong connection to. As an already keen crafter I then switched my embroidery needles for saddler’s needles!

What is your favourite product to make/favourite commission piece?

Chris: I really enjoy the process of making wallets and I find it satisfying to see the unique variations in the colour that hand-dyeing leather produces. It is amazing how the distinctive qualities of leather are revealed when it is dyed.

Ed: I really enjoy making all the range of our products and I find it difficult to decide which is my favourite! I recently made a padded iPad sleeve which involved learning new skills and I got to use some great materials and fun colours, which put a modern twist on traditional craft.

 

What do you love most about working with leather?

Ed: I love the enormous range of skills that are used within leather work. I feel like I will never stop learning new methods and techniques in order to develop and innovate.

Chris: Leather is such a versatile material and it amazes me that it can be used in such a diverse range of items. Soft and flexible when used in a bag or strong and sturdy when making a box. I love the how tactile leather becomes and how despite being an organic material, has the potential to last many lifetimes. It’s a part of history and it feels special to work with it.

What are your next goals/ Have you got any exciting new projects lined up?

Ed: I am a keen equestrian and would love to learn more about the process of bridle making and saddlery. I am in awe of the skills of a saddler and even just understanding the process more would be a huge lifegoal.

Chris: My goal over the next year is to develop my knowledge and skill in creating new designs for leather bags. Bags come in many forms with multiple functions, and I feel this will allow me to explore some creativity in design. Working in a cobblers and seeing the deconstruction of shoes being repaired also inspires me to explore the world of shoe making.

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

Chris and Ed: Practice the basics over and over until they become almost second nature. As self-taught leatherworkers the internet has been invaluable and there is a wealth of information to tap into. We often find that we learn from our mistakes, don’t forget to use this as a positive learning experience even when it feels frustrating or disheartening.

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

Chris and Ed: It is truly amazing to have been recognised as part of the 40 under 40. We never imagined that we would be selected from amongst so many talented craftspeople. It feels validating and we are immensely proud of what we have been able to achieve in the relatively short time we have been doing leather work. We hope the 40 under 40 serves as an inspiration to younger people who are considering learning more about traditional crafts.

 

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

Chris and Ed: We both feel strongly that keeping traditional crafts thriving is incredibly important, as once traditions are lost, they are hard to revive. Our ethos is about producing quality, handmade products made with traditional techniques. Although we recognise that there is a place for modern technology it is important that we don’t lose sight of the passion and skills of craftspeople. This is important too when considering the production of the materials and tools we use.

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

Chris and Ed: We are active on social media and have designed our own website in order to ensure that we have a visible online presence. Social media has allowed us to network with our suppliers and the crafting community. We encourage and are encouraged by the dedication and creativity of others, which empowers us to innovate and educate people about arts and crafts. The internet is a great resource to keep abreast of current information and to source materials and supplies. The UK has an incredible history of manufacturing, especially within the leather industry and we feel it is important to support those remaining business who are still producing quality tools and materials.

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

Chris and Ed: We both have “day jobs” so time is always a challenge for us. Our weekends and evenings are spent in the workshop or at craft markets. Our business goes against the trend of low-cost, mass manufactured goods by creating high quality, ethically produced items designed to last a lifetime. We want to foster the appreciation of items that validate the time, dedication and skill required, as well as recognising “real life” value.

For more information, please visit orrisleather.co.uk.

To join this network of great makers, please follow Orris Leather's Instagram page HERE and like their Facebook page HERE.