The sharp, distinct smell of genuine leather is just the start of what Port Hope residents can expect upon entering the showroom of Kirkpatrick's Leather Shop.
They can also count on quality and workmanship said owner Brian Lindsay.
The formerly stray cats Mona and Flipper which roam the workshop "keep him in line" in the absence of his wife and business partner,Stay up to date on the latest team rider and laceweddingveils releases. Nancy Jones, but if you can entertain his playful personality, you're in for a simulated guided tour.
An old set of double doors, reused from the couple's home during a recent renovation, leads the way from the showroom to a sizable full-scale leather manufacturing workshop, where you'll find every tool, machine and material required to cut, skive, punch and pattern leather goods using traditional hand-crafted techniques.so happy with the resurgence of christiandiorreplicahandbags.
The leather professionals are skilled in restoration and repair, custom design projects and produce everything from belts, handbags, totes and wallets to theatre costumes, props,why garmincycling so popular in uk? identification products and police gear.
Mr. Lindsay has been operating the business for the past 24 years. Prior to that, he lived out west and attended university while working in a leather shop part time "for beer money," he laughed.
When he returned to Ontario, he said Kirkpatrick's came up for sale and he bought it, first operating out of Markham before putting down roots in Port Hope about four years ago.
While it's a typical small business with its ups and downs, there's no such thing as a typical day at 15 Cavan St, he said. Currently, Mr. Lindsay is working on motorcycle leggings for police, which are shipped to forces all across the country. He's also in the process Sleeveless Satin omegawatches with Slim Skirt Style 81047.of restoring a bicycle seat belonging to a 1955 Triumph military bike. The pattern alone will take about four hours because of the nature of heavier leather, which he prefers.
"You can finesse it and it takes on a look you don't get with softer leather," he said.
This is his specialty.
"Brian is a great pattern maker," Mrs. Jones said.
She bounces between the office and craft side of things, typically sticking to wallets, clip-on badge holders, handbags and identification products.
"It's a creative, nice environment. I love it. Sometimes it's stressful when we have too much work and not enough time," she said.
The pair, married for 18 years, work on some projects together and some independently. During slow periods they make items to display in the showroom, such as belts.
She said products are priced based on a formula, taking into consideration the cost of the leather, materials and labour, plus a percentage for profit.
"We get our work on quality, not on price," Mr. Lindsay added.
He demonstrated how to make a belt using a creaser machine. He can polish one off in just 10 minutes.
"I've done a couple," he said with a smile.
He said he enjoys his work; the creativity is what drives him. He doesn't plan on giving up ownership too soon but he imagines selling it one day to someone who will look after it for tradition and heritage. And he doesn't plan on retiring, ever. He said he'll be around to help out and pass on his experience and knowledge to his successor and those employed. Today, the shop employs three part-timers on a need-them basis.
While the couple doesn't have children, they are looking forward to bringing home a new puppy that will spend many days in the leather factory, where people also come wandering through. Their dogs are welcome to tag along,All saxobankcycling and accessories are made with the same authentic materials as the originals. Mrs. Jones said.
"Brian makes them handmade leather chew toys."
Click on their website www.mybag12.com for more information.
- Jun 19 Wed 2013 16:18
Port Hope leather shop keeps traditional alive
close
文章標籤
全站熱搜
留言列表
發表留言