• Sandal Making Workshop 2017 with Stace Fulwiler

    We're very excited to announce that famous sandal making class will be happening again this season at Make Smith Leather. Stac Fulwiler will be head down the 101 freeway from Oakland CA to teach a six our class. As always, all are welcome to participate. Here are the details:  

    When: Saturday, May 6th, 2017
    Time: 11am - 5pm
    Where: Make Smith Leather Co.  
    117 West De La Guerra St, Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
    Class Fee: $250  sign up through the shop!

    Description: In a 6 hour workshop, you will learn how to make a pair of leather sandals, using your own feet for the fit and your own design for the style (or pick a design to make from my website).  We'll provide the instruction, the tools, the materials and the leather.  By the end of class you will have made your own pair of leather sandals!  You will also learn some basic leather-working techniques and you’ll leave with a handout outlining sandal-making basics, including places to source materials in California.

    State Fulwiler Sandal Making WorkshopState Fulwiler Student -Sandal Making ClassState Fulwiler Student -Sandal Making Workshop

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  • Desert & Denim 2016 Recap

    Desert & Denim 2016 Recap

    Here at Make Smith, we appreciate dirty boots. Do you know why? It's because they tell a story of an adventure... We're still brushing the desert sand off our boots after an incredible weekend working Make Smith's booth at the Desert & Denim trade show in Joshua Tree, CA. Put on by Juniper Ridge and hosted by Mohave Sands Motel, the weekend was filled with nerding out about leather, meeting other like-minded artisans, attending demonstrations, and drinking some tasty beverages. 

    The intention of the show "to introduce unique brands to a curated group of buyers who appreciate an American style and value a community experience over the repetitive transaction of an average trade show", was exactly how it felt. Many vendors from all over the place came to show their goods, talk about their work, and lead demonstrations. Steven showed the crowd how to make our new tooled knife sheath. Something we have been practicing at the shop with the help of our super saddle maker friend Brad Cooper. We love the knife sheath because it keeps our sharp Anza Knives safe, while also looking great attached to your side. 

    We were lucky enough to be placed in the middle of "leather row", and filled much of our time nerding out about leather with Bulldaogge & CO, Red Clouds Collective, DoomedNYC, and Sweet Trade to name a few. We all have different styled products, but the same materials, so it was great to share leather technique, frustrations, and what machines are running the industry. To make sure we didn't get too dehydrated in the desert, Union Wine, Sixpoint Brewery, and Tincup Whiskey were steady flowing, and if you ever needed a little pick-me-up sweet, Endorfin foods had some bomb chocolate.

    It's necessary to take a step away from work for a few days to attend an event like Desert & Denim, because man you come back with some great stories, inspiration, and orders! We had so much fun in the Desert with all you insanely talented vendors! Thank you Juniper Ridge for organizing such a great weekend. We look forward to D&D 2017.

     

    (Motorcycle and Camping photo credit: Candy Mountain Collective.)

     

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  • THE BELT BAR IS NOW OPEN

    Cheers with your buds, pick out your favorite color of leather, and have a custom fitted belt made for your next occasion, or favorite outfit. We've been making leather belts for three generations but have never allowed the public to come in, until now. Hand select their favorite combo - you can choose from seven different colors of belting leather, apply a black, white or brown stitch, and then choose from hundreds of different styled vintage and new belt buckles. And as always, we can emboss your initials free of charge!

    Needing some ideas on how to entertain your bachelor or bachelorette party? Bring them into The Belt Bar at Make Smith Leather Co. and get everyone set up with a custom fitted belt. We have a leather craftsman on hand to tailor to your needs. And best of all, you can sip a little bit of complimentary bourbon while you relax in The Belt Bar lounge. As we say at Make Smith, "A belt for a belt!"

    belt (def.)
    1. a strip of leather or other material worn around the waist or across the chest, especially in order to support clothes or carry weapons.
    2. the portion of a serving of a beverage that is swallowed at one time

     

     

    Copyright © 2014 Liz Kuball

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  • COCKTAIL WORKSHOP & BAR ACCESSORIES DEBUT


    I'm excited to announce the debut of the Make Smith home wares and bar accessories line produced in collaboration with Jenni Kayne Home. This new line will be available only at Jenni Kayne stores and the Make Smith shop and website. To celebrate, we're hosting a showcase of the new goods at the Jenni Kayne Home store in Montecito, California on Thursday, June 5th from 5 to 8pm. To add to the fun, Nick Purvis will be holding a cocktail workshop at 6pm that should not be missed. Please come by and join us for a toast!

    Jenni Kayne Home - see map
    525 San Ysidro Road
    Montecito, CA  93108

     

     

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