Well you can see, if you scroll down, just how long its been since a blog post has been made. Pre pandemic! AND for me (Sam) to be the one writing is not typical. Ben (my husband and partner in crime) is the one who usually pens these. However, the turn of the calendar gets one thinking and goal setting. Its then a matter of time before it turns into goal getting. You see….I struggle a bit with January. I take a break at the holidays, then I typically tear up my work space in an effort to make way for a clean fresh year where all my ideas and goals can look me in the face instead of getting buried under piles of unfinished business(clutter). My husband and I take out huge plastic tubs from under our cutting table and sort them out, reusing any piece that will make something already in our repertoire (ie notebook covers, wallets, etc) and then cutting strips, or shapes. Sometimes you drive yourself mad trying to think of a use for things you a) don't have time for, or b) don't have the tools to do, or c) it's so outside your brand that you simply can't justify it. This year we probably had the largest culmination of scraps we've ever had. With a goal to work through all the older, tag ends of hides on our shelves. Which usually makes a mishmash of product. Which I'm fine with but it does muddle my progress when creating the things I really want to make with purpose. This is usually where my well intentioned friends tell me to junk it and move forward. But alas, I am not here because I particularly like to sell handbags. I love to cut, shape, sew, envision, to create. I'm here as a person struggling with the dilemma of how to make beautiful things. And I can't help but look at a pile of scrap leather and see so much potential. So I hang on. I hang on with hopes that I will get to that gorgeous appliquéd collection I've been dreaming about. I hang on believing my intentions will align with my work flow and this "work in progress" I call myself will create something exceptional from the remnants of the work that led to it. As I look back over last year's pieces, I know I'm getting closer. I have faith in my vision. It's going to happen. I will write, and it will happen. I resolve to make it so.
My curiosity always asks: What are your ideas? If you had a mountain of tiny leather scraps staring you down, and a resolve to reduce waste and reuse scraps, what would you do? Maybe you know someone who crafts that would be interested in some? Leave me comment! I’d love to hear your thoughts! ~Sam
My mountain of scrap leather