Leather Work with Deb Johns
A leatherworking demonstration followed by a hands-on workshop with Deb Johns, open to members and non-members. Part of the Guild's confirmed 2026-27 workshop season.
About Deb Johns
Deb Johns is a self-taught leathersmith who began her journey in leathercraft in the late 1970s. The rich aroma of leather first sparked her interest, and the artistry of the craft captured her imagination. Today, she continues to create each piece the traditional way, using only hand tools — never machines. Deb serves on the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Leather Guilds (IFLG) and is honored to be one of the judges for its prestigious international competition. An accomplished artisan, she has earned numerous awards and competes in the highly respected Masters Division. Deb is passionate about preserving traditional leatherworking techniques and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others through demonstrations and hands-on workshops. Deb has her work in the AGOP gallery.
Demonstration
Discover the fascinating world of leatherworking as Deb introduces a variety of leathers for participants to see and feel. She will explain the different tanning processes, discuss the characteristics and best uses of each type of leather, and share insights gained from decades of experience. Deb will demonstrate several traditional carving and stamping tools, explaining their purpose before giving a brief live demonstration of how they are used to create beautiful decorative designs in leather.
Workshop: Handcrafted Women's Leather Wallet
Create a beautiful handcrafted women's wallet from luxurious oil-tanned leather. During this hands-on workshop, you'll construct a functional wallet featuring three compartments and four credit card slots. Participants will learn how to punch stitching holes, hand-sew the wallet using traditional saddle-stitch techniques, and complete the project by installing a classic Sam Browne button closure. You'll leave with a stylish, durable wallet and the satisfaction of creating it entirely by hand — along with new leatherworking skills you can build on for future projects.
Supply fee: $20, payable directly to the instructor.