iPad sleeve

I've designed an iPad sleeve. I've made them in a few different colours, red, black, brown. I've been looking around the studio for interesting pieces of leather to make these with, so many of them are one of a kind.
It's getting very busy in the stores with Christmas only a few days away.

Shop window in Kemptville.

Slippers Gloves and Mitts

Trying to stay warm in winter can be quite the challenge for us Canadians. Fortunately the fleece of sheepskin has excellent insulating properties. We have managed to find some great sheepskin products to keep fingers and toes nice and toasty. We carry slippers, gloves and mitts. Our slippers are Canadian made, come in 3 styles and a variety of colours. People have come to know that we carry them so come from all around to get them and they are a popular on-line purchase. Our kids all have them and love them! I can’t wait to give some to my little granddaughter for Christmas. It’s a comfort to know her little feet will be warm inside her snowsuit. Prices range from $55 for children’s to $105 for adult’s.

Our gloves and mitts are made in Portugal. Our customers really appreciate our quality and selection.  I have one customer from Halifax who calls every few years to order 2 pairs of gloves at a time. She is so happy to have found them and wants to make sure that she is never without.

These items have become very popular Christmas gifts. It’s a perfect way to say “Merry Christmas” to almost anyone.

Sandra Bag

I have designed a new bag that I have named the Sandra Bag after a certain famous Canadian actress that you might see on Grey's Anatomy. This bag is rather deluxe with french binding on all the edges including the shoulder strap, which is designed to go across the body. I've made up five of them for a start and I intend to make another batch of them soon. I've also been working on a new Lap Top Bag and a new i Pad bag.

With Christmas less than a month away we're very busy in the shops. On December 4th Merrickville celebrates the start of the holiday season with Christmas in Merrickville. There will be open fires, horse drawn wagon rides and a chance to win a $1000 shopping spree.

Rowland Leather Video

Ausonia Tannery

Rowland Leather
Trip to Italy May 2010
Ausonia Tannery

On my recent trip to Italy I visited the Ausonia Tannery in Santa Croce sull’Arno near Florence. Rowland Leather has been buying leather from this tannery for about eight years now.
Travelling by train through parts of Florence and Tuscany, I arrived at the station in San Romano. I was warmly greeted by Maurizio, the gentleman I have been dealing with at Ausonia over the years.
The tannery is a beautiful, state-of-the-art,
computerized complex. With Maurizio as a tour guide, I learned how Ausonia processes the raw leather they purchase from France.
These leathers are organic products, easy to recycle. As well as supplying Rowland Leather, Ausonia supplies leather to the world’s top designers at Gucci, Hermes and Louis Vuitton.
Before leaving Ausonia, I sat down with Maurizio to select and custom-order the beautiful leather.
This leather has now arrived and I'm using it to produce my handbags and briefcases.

You Tube-Rowland Leather on ATV

ATV Morning TV recently visited our shop in Merrickville. Have a look.

Perfect Leather

Today I was in Toronto to buy leather. I have been shopping at Perfect Leather, on King Street, for many years now. Bill the owner brings in leather from all over the world. He services the garment, shoe, handbags and accesories businesses all over Canada.

The first thing Bill does when I come in is to make me a cup of very strong Greek coffee. Next he shows me the new leather he has brought in. I find some very rich black cow hide that will be perfect for my bags. Black is always the best selling colour. I also buy some very thin leather from Japan called Ponge, black, brown and red. I use this leather for french binding. That's when we wrap the edge in leather.

While Bills helpers count the leather I have picked out I enjoy a gourmet burger down the street then return to load up the car and drive home.