Create with leather in this course & make your own beautiful Bifold wallet. Learn how to Stitch and Braid leather.

Step deeper into the world of leathercraft in this hands-on workshop designed for makers ready to expand their skills and storytelling through traditional techniques. This class will touch on hand-stitching, wet-forming, decorative tooling, and patterning, giving participants the tools to bring their inspired designs to life. You'll learn how to blend function and aesthetic with purpose in this introductory course aimed at making a bifold wallet and learning how to stitch and braid leather. We'll work with quality leather, focusing on technique refinement, design planning, and creative expression.

Participants should have basic familiarity with hand tools, cutting, and measuring to make the most of this class.

Come prepared with clothes that can get dirty/dusty, sketchpad, pencil, and imagination!

Instructor Bio: Ian Smith is a multidisciplinary artist with over a decade of experience in traditional leatherwork specializing in historical recreation and contemporary fantasy design. Their work bridges the ancient and the anachronistic as they foster creative inspiration in others.

With a strong foundation in woodworking, welding, textiles, rubber and plastics, and patterning, they bring an interdisciplinary approach to teaching. They have guided learners of all ages and backgrounds including children, veterans, ESL students, and neurodivergent individuals through immersive hands-on workshops designed to foster empowerment, self-expression, and creative problem-solving.Their teaching philosophy is rooted in accessibility, joy, and respect for material lineage. Whether recreating turnshoes and purses, designing armor, or introducing learners to basic hand-stitching, they weave each session with care, historical context, and space for personal narrative.

• Please visit our policies page to view all LMS policies. Prior to your first class, be sure to familiarize yourself with the User Agreement/Code of Conduct and Liability Waiver. The Liability Waiver must be signed in person at the front desk before participating in any activities at Lacey MakerSpace.
• LMS provides all necessary safety gear, including safety glasses and other PPE.
• Closed-toed shoes are required at all times at the Lacey MakerSpace.