Specialization in Leather Craftsmanship: Decorative Techniques and Accessory Creation

Now we are going to look at a second technique, that of collage. Gluing is essential to the realization of the marquetry itself.

Bonding technique

14m

The mood board: pattern and colors

In this lesson, we'll show you how we create our mood boards. We love drawing inspiration directly from nature and naturalist encyclopedias. We are looking for images of birds and plants in order to reproduce them in leather in a marquetry project. Secondly, we will explain the creative process of the course project. This project is inspired by nature. It will allow us to create a decorative tray.

Creation of the jungle pattern

Now we are going to compose a jungle design with an animal and foliage. We'll show you how, from a photo, you can develop a jig for marquetry. This technique allows novices to create a beautiful pattern easily.

Cutting templates and leather 1

Now we will move on to cutting the jigs and the leather. This step is essential. Each piece is meticulously cut according to the desired pattern.

Cutting templates and leather 2

In this second part of the lesson, you will see how to glue pieces of double-sided tape so that the leather does not move during cutting. We'll show you different methods for making small cuts and cutting from the intersection outward.

Assembly of the toucan

It's time to ride the toucan. For this, it will be necessary to prepare the support of the toucan and to glue it. This preparation is very important. The technique of leather marquetry requires a meticulousness close to the assembly of a watchmaker. Each piece of leather is assembled edge to edge, by hand, to form a trompe-l'oeil.

Assembly of the final marquetry

We can now mount the final marquetry by preparing the support. The first step will be to glue the marquetry of the toucan, then you will have to build the composition around it.

20m

Oversize and setting up on the tray

After allowing the marquetry to dry for some time, we will show you here how to overcut it to adapt it to the top.

In this lesson, we'll show you how to tint the edges of your marquetry and then frame it.

Polishing and framing

Transform a marquetry into a keychain

Marquetry offers many possibilities! You can work with different shapes and formats. For example, we are going to teach you how to make a keychain.

Module 3

Follow Susana Domínguez into a world where leather, paper, and even so-called "mistakes" become tools for expression. With her signature curiosity and depth, she opens up a playground of dyes, textures, and surfaces that invite you to break the rules—just a little. Discover how colors behave, blend, and surprise on different materials, and start building your very own sample book of happy accidents and unexpected beauty.

16 lessons (2h 36m)

skin and leather

Through a sample book, I am going to tell you about three generic groups of leather depending on the tanning and how they differ.

Now I am going to give you a brief introduction to what vegan leather or "faux leather paper" is. Did you know this material? Let's discover its features.

vegan skin

Colour: dyes

In this lesson I introduce you to water dyes and alcohol dyes. They are the ones I used when I started dyeing leather. Let's go see them.

Colour: acrylic paint

We continue with the color. Now I am going to tell you about the acrylic colors that I am going to work with, both in their usual state and mixed with the paste.

Movie

Finally, I want to introduce you to the film I am going to work with and what aspects we should take into account related to it.

The tools

The tools that you are going to need are very basic and easy to obtain or replace. In this lesson I will tell you what they are.

Useful to work the color

Now we are going to see the tools that we will use to work and experiment with color. I will start with some safety recommendations.

Color with hand dyes 1

We start with the first technique: tinting with alcohol dyes. I am going to explain several ways to apply the dye, I will start by introducing the freehand technique.

Now I'm going to do some freehand tests so you can see how to apply this technique.

Color with hand dyes 2

Lastly, I'm going to show you how to use dye sparingly. Do you dare to try this technique? Go for it!

Color with hand dyes 3

In this lesson I will explain how to apply the dye using an eyedropper or pipette. We will see two techniques: with alcohol dyes and with water dyes.

Color with dropper dyes

If we have to work with a piece of dark leather, alcohol dyes do not serve us well. I am going to explain how to apply color on skin with acrylic colors.

Color with acrylic 1

We continue to experiment with acrylic color. Now I am going to tell you how to work a monotype.

Color with acrylic 2

13m

Color with film

We come to the last technique that we will see in this unit. In this lesson I will teach you how to use the film or "foil" to give color.

Preparation of the base cardboard

Since you have already obtained your samples in the previous unit, now I am going to explain how to prepare the tiles to create your sample book.

Sample gluing and sealing

Finally, we'll look at how to choose the samples you've produced during the course and organize pasting them to bring your sampler to life.

In this lesson I will explain what leather is, the types of tanning, as well as the main characteristics that you have to take into account when working with this material.

Module 4

Step into the poetic world of José Luis Bazán, where leather becomes more than material—it becomes emotion, memory, and movement. With nature as his muse and curiosity as his compass, you'll explore how water, time, and texture come together to mold leather into sculptural forms. From wooden molds to stones from the earth, discover how to shape pieces that feel just as alive as the hands that made them.

14 lessons (2h 29m)

What is leather?

Types of leather

Now that you know what leather is, in this lesson I am going to explain the different types that exist and their different characteristics.

Introduction to molding

Do you know what leather hanging is? In this lesson I will talk about this technique, as well as some types of molds that we can use to work with leather.

Now I am going to tell you about the necessary materials to carry out the final project: a vegetable leather bowl with base and edge dyeing.

Materials

Leather analysis and cutting

In this lesson I will tell you how to get the pattern we need to cut the two pieces we need for the project in the leather.

Friezing and lasting of the inner part

In this lesson I will explain step by step the frising process: how to treat the leather to open its pores and be able to last it. Go for it!

20m

Friezing and lasting of the outer piece 1

Now it's time to remove the ends, trim the piece and shape the outer piece of the bowl. In this lesson I will teach you how to do it.

Frisado and lasting of the outer piece 2

We continue to see step by step the process by which we carry out the friezing and lasting of the outer piece.

Union of the pieces, cutting and extraction

In this lesson we are going to join the two pieces of the bowl using starch. When they are joined, we will cut the edge so that both are at the same height.

13m

Sanding and painting of the piece

In this lesson, I will explain how to sand the piece and the technique I use to apply the paint.

Filler application and edge painting

Next, I am going to tell you how to apply the filler. I'm also going to explain the technique I use to paint the rim of the bowl.

Carving

In this lesson I am going to talk about the carving of the piece. I will show you how I make abstract drawings on the piece to give it a special touch.

19m

Care of the piece, leather and lasts

In this lesson I will give you a series of tips to take care of the piece, the skins and the lasts, in order to keep them as long as possible.

Applications of the technique

Next, I am going to show you different pieces that I have created using different techniques of lasting so that you can see the applications they have.

Module 5

Join Lucie Poupet and the creative spirit behind Pigeoncoq in rethinking how we create—and wear—leather goods. Through a playful mix of tradition and reinvention, you'll explore the tools, materials, and ideas that turn scraps into statement pieces. It’s not just about making bags; it’s about making choices, giving new life to old materials, and crafting with purpose and personality.

16 lessons (3h 9m)

Material for the Course

To begin, you will know everything you need to know about the material to use as well as how you can seek inspiration to make the purse bag of your dreams, the one that looks like you.

Looking for Inspiration

Now, I'm going to show you how to look everywhere for inspiration to get the bag that looks like you, and organize it in the form of a mood board.

A Unique Bag!

During this lesson, I will show you how to define the personality of your bag! You will also see how to choose the material that best suits the project and customization elements.

Making the Template 1

It's time to make a sketch of the project, that is to say, to make the templates. For this, you will learn to work on paper to indicate all the elements necessary for the realization of your bag, such as sewing marks for example. Next, I will teach you how to transfer them to your leather pieces.

Now I will continue to show you how to work with rectangle seam markers.

Make the Template 2

18m

Postmarks

Here are the templates are ready! You are going to learn how to now transfer all the markings to your leathers.

Cutting the Leather

The leather does not cut just anyhow. Now you are going to find out how to do it right!

It's up to you to make lots of little holes! Here you will learn how to pierce leather. I will share with you some tips to do it well in an easy and fast way.

Piercing the Leather

Customization 1

This is where the magic begins! I will show you how to customize a bag according to your tastes to have a unique design.

18m

Customization 2

During this second part of the lesson, I will show you what small but important details I will add to my bag to make it unique.

19m

Sewing 1

Last big step in the realization of your bag, the sewing by hand. You will learn how to make it easier with our simplified saddle stitch technique.

To guide you through this process, I will explain in detail how to finish sewing the bag.

Sewing 2

You will see how to give shape to your purse bag. I will teach you how to add the final customization elements.

Finalization 1

Now that your bag is ready, it's time to add a little detail. For this, I will explain how to make a pompom.

Finalization 2

14m

Other Applications of the Technique

In this lesson, I'll share with you ideas for applying the techniques seen together to other projects, as well as additional suggestions for customization.

Maintenance Tips

You have made the bag of your dreams, the one that looks like you. Learn now how to properly maintain it and make it last over time.

Module 6

Enter the world of thoughtful design with Adolfo Navarro, where less is not only more—it’s essential. With a deep respect for form, function, and the raw beauty of leather, you'll discover how simplicity can be a powerful creative tool. Through careful techniques and a minimalist mindset, learn how to craft pieces where every cut, fold, and stitch has purpose—and nothing is wasted.

10 lessons (1h 57m)

Traditional leather goods vs this course

I will talk about how we can generate unique pieces from leather, but from an analytical perspective, simple and sober, respecting the qualities offered by the material and avoiding the use of ornamental resources. We will analyze the techniques of conventional leather goods all over the world, seen and free in multiple supports, we will reflect on their validity and compare them with what we will explore during the course.

What is leather? What are the myths and realities of the material? and Why, as a designer, is my favorite material? A fascinating material, full of qualities that make it unique, here we will analyze every detail of the material and the possibilities that this gives us.

Knowing the material

Types of leather

Not all leathers have the same purpose. Here we will make a very rough analysis of different types of leather, which use can be given to each one and which one will work best for what we will tackle in this course.

Work with leather: Traditional tools, contemporary and applications.

In this lesson we will review the basic techniques and instruments for leather work. We will also talk about what is no longer convenient to use, why and how to remove this ornamental stigma that possesses the material by approaching developments from a more utilitarian perspective.

Alternative joining techniques

We will review and analyze the different types and methods of union that exist for leather, from traditional ones such as seams, ironworks, brooches, buttons, and the use of the same material as a method of fastening.

Design from the material

Why design from scratch? How to design in leather? I will approach the different possibilities considering the characteristics of the material, designing in a way congruent with the benefits that the leather offers.

Think in 2D- Planned elaboration of patterns and templates.

Let's talk about how to project concepts and ideas to land them on functional objects with this material taking into account all considerations. The patterns will be our final point for the design and development of a piece, and our starting point for the manufacture of it and then print or laser cut.

Create your template digitally

Let's learn how to create a digital template to later turn it into a functional object.

Once we have our design and our template, we will review and analyze the different ways that exist to cut leather, from manual, semi-automated and digital, reviewing which is better in what situation.

Cutting Techniques