WORKSHOP: Traditional Leatherworking | Turn Back Time 2026

Discover traditional leatherworking techniques while creating your own leather cuff or leaf‑inspired bookmark, featuring hand embossing and pressed natural leaves. This hands‑on workshop introduces participants to time‑honoured tools and materials, with a strong focus on tactile making and decorative detail. All materials provided.

Participants will learn essential skills including:

• Safe and confident use of leatherworking tools

• Cutting and edging

• Hand embossing and decorative techniques

• Optimal wetting and dyeing

• Burnishing, sealing and finishing

• Setting rivets and hardware

The workshop will be held indoors and will proceed in wet weather.

This workshop is part of Turn Back Time, a series of events at Lanyon Homestead celebrating traditional skills and pastimes during Family History Month.

Workshop Facilitators

Amber Ecclestone — Leatherworker
Amber has been teaching leatherworking workshops at NFF Community Arts for the past three years. Her experience includes facilitating sheath‑making, journal‑covering and introductory leatherworking classes at Tharwa Valley Forge in 2022. She currently delivers nature‑based leatherworking workshops through NatureArt Lab, combining traditional making skills with environmental awareness.

Ceilidh Dalton — Environmental Artist & Toolmaker
Ceilidh is a practicing environmental artist, teacher, curator and toolmaker. She regularly assists Amber in leather workshops at NFF Community Arts and brings a multidisciplinary background shaped by her studies in Environmental Studio as part of a Bachelor of Design Arts (Gold and Silversmithing). Her practice is grounded in conservation and environmental art, with a particular passion for lost‑wax casting and teaching wax sculpting techniques.
Instagram: @ceilidhdaltonmetalart