Thank you for being here.

I started leathercrafting in 2022 on my kitchen table with nothing more than curiosity, a few simple tools, and the desire to create something lasting with my own hands. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a passion—an obsession with the textures, scents, and possibilities of fine leather.

Everything I know comes from YouTube videos and studying the work of craftspeople I admire. I'm by no means a master—far from it, actually. I'm still learning with every project I work on (even the repeat ones), and that's part of what keeps me coming back.

"Birds of a Leather" is more than just a play on words. It's rooted in the proverb that birds of a feather flock together. This journey has been a solitary one so far. But I'm hoping to change that. I want to build a community of people who share this love for handcrafted leather, who appreciate the deliberate process of making something.

Right now, leathercrafting is my side pursuit while I work full time during the day. I squeeze in studio time after work and on weekends whenever I can, losing myself in that rare flow state where nothing else matters. It's something I want to do for the rest of my life.

When I'm not at the workbench, you'll find me sailing, paddling with my dragonboat team, traveling, or spending time with my husband and my corgi, Juno. And always, I'm thinking about how to turn this dream into reality.

With so much gratitude,
Michelle