Featured Artist of the Week

This week's featured artist is a leatherworker, and as a leatherworker, myself, I can assure you that this artist does quality leather work.
RAVENSHOLD


Here is our interview with the artist -

Describe what you make?

I mainly make items out of leather and do leather tooling, although I also make beaded lanyards and string beads to make jewelry.

What mediums do you enjoy working in most?

Leather, particularly tooling leather. I love the effects I can create with a swivel knife and a few stamps and I'm carrying on a very old craft.

How long have you been creating craft?

I can remember making things when I was 5, but I'm sure Mom had me doing crafts before then though. She loved making things herself so she always had craft projects for my sister and I to make. I think she still has some of the salt dough Christmas ornaments we made back then.

How did you get started?

I started doing leatherwork when I started working at the local Tandy Leather store around 10 years ago. After I moved on to other jobs I did leatherwork off and on for friends and occasionally for myself but didn't too much with it. On the recommendation of a friend I had checked out Etsy and put a few little things out there and do much else. Then early this year it hit me that my store here was a good reason to make myself get back into doing leatherwork on a regular basis and I haven't looked back.

Where does the name of your shop come from?

Well, to be honest, Ravenshold was the name I used for my county on an online game. I had chosen it for the game because I like ravens and adding hold made it sound vaguely medieval. When I signed up on Etsy couldn't use my first choice because it was already taken so this was the first thing I thought of. Over time it has become Ravenshold Creations.

What would you most want people to know about your work?

Everything I do is by hand, including the sewing, so I work slow but I think it is definitely worth it because a well made leather item can last for years. (Even centuries if it is taken care of.) Also, leather tooling doesn't have to equal western style carving, there's a lot of other options out there, it can be hip or retro or trendy or whatever.

What words of advice do you have for other artists?

Stick with it, have fun with what you make, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to ask for advice, but remember you don't have to follow all of it.

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This is a shop not to be missed. Take a look at Ravenshold.
And while you are at Etsy come visit with us