What It Is
#LeatherWorking showcases handcrafted leather goods—wallets, belts, bags, and tooled artwork. The hashtag grew alongside YouTube tutorials and the maker movement, appealing to those seeking durable, customizable alternatives to mass production.
History & Cultural Impact
Early Growth (2012-2015):
- August 2012: Instagram leathercrafters share tooled designs
- 2013: Tandy Leather Company YouTube (150K+ subscribers) tutorials
- 2014: Full-grain vs bonded leather education goes mainstream
- 2015: Horween Leather (Chicago tannery) becomes aspirational material
YouTube Era (2016-2019):
- 2016: Corter Leather YouTube (200K+ subscribers) minimalist wallet tutorials
- 2017: “Patina” (natural aging) documentation becomes content genre
- 2018: Japanese leathercraft tools (Seiwa pricking irons) gain Western popularity
- 2019: Veg-tan leather (vegetable-tanned) dominates beginner market
Pandemic Boom (2020-2022):
- 2020: Leather tool kit sales surge 250%+
- Etsy personalized leather goods hit peak saturation
- 2021: Laser engraving machines (xTool, Glowforge) enable custom designs
- 2022: “Heritage leather” (vintage-style aging) trend
Popular Projects:
- Minimalist wallets (card holders)
- Belts (hand-stitched, brass buckles)
- Watch straps (custom sizing)
- Tote bags & messenger bags
- Knife sheaths
- Tooled artwork (floral carvings, Western motifs)
Techniques:
- Saddle stitching (hand-sewn, durable)
- Burnishing (smooth edges)
- Tooling/carving (decorative patterns)
- Dyeing & finishing
- Edge beveling
- Riveting & hardware
Related Hashtags
#Leathercraft, #HandmadeLeather, #LeatherGoods, #VegTan, #SaddleStitch, #LeatherWallet, #LeatherBag, #Tooling, #Patina, #FullGrainLeather