Purse – Hand-printed textile and Upcycled Leather – Blue

Laurel started her leather work journey after moving to Tassie from New Zealand with her Tasmanian partner in 2008. From a young age Laurel came to love horses, so while her partner was working away, she kept herself-busy with a part-time job, looking after the home, and riding her horse.

At some stage in her creative journey, she purchased an industrial sewing machine as there was a need for someone locally to make repairs to horse gear, rugs, and the making of saddle pads with club logos.

As time went by, Laurel’s time behind the industrial sewing machine evolved into creating cushion covers out of leather scraps and door stops in the shape of animals. She then discovered a love of creating wallets, bags, and purses which brought about a need to produce enough of them to make what she was doing sustainable.

During the Covid pandemic Laurel realized there was a further need to make riding chaps as the virus made it difficult to get supplies in from overseas. This extended Laurel’s creative outlet beyond her wildest dreams, and she continues to explore other avenues to help others out while enjoying the creative side of designing and making leather accessories.

Laurel has now been creating leather goods for over twelve years. Her passion is a juggle between a day job and life on the farm. When out and about she enjoys visiting retailers whom she feels fortunate to have stock her creations.

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