• 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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  • TOP 3 REASONS TO SHOP AMERICAN MADE

    Even though I know it would be cheaper to produce in other countries, the reason I chose to be a “Made in the USA” maker is threefold: quality control, a close relationship with a manufacturer, and short lead times.

    1. Quality control

    I firmly know that each bag is going to be made the exact the way I want it. I  put time and effort into creating my collection and I thoroughly inspect each bag before it leaves our workshop. We ensure that everything is correct, even down to the color of the thread in the stitching.

    2. A close working relationship with our customers

    If I am ever feeling unsure about something or have a question I know I can call up my customer and talk to them, and they can call me. People do not understand what a pleasure it is to have a real person pick up a phone. Our customers are investing in my company, as I am investing into them. When they buy from us, they are buying piece-of-mind and creating a relationship with the people who've made their goods.

    3. Short lead times

    When an order is placed, it will be created as quickly as possible - usually three days. That’s something not all factories can say in the USA, and that beats any lead time overseas. Some companies working with China and Bangladesh place their order six months in advance and pray it will be completed and delivered on time. ( I could go on and on about shipping nightmares, carbon footprint and other environmental issues revolving around outsourcing overseas... but I wont. I'll save that for another blog post.

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  • LEATHER BELT MAKING WORKSHOP @ POKETO

     

    A handmade leather belt made from scratch? Yes you can with our Leather Belt Making Workshop with Steven Soria of Make Smith Leather Company. Steven will teach us how to make an authentic cowhide belt that is accurately sized, burnished and ready to wear out the door when you’re finished. Joined by his father, Steven will also share his third-generation knowledge of leather resources, dyes and vocabulary of the trade.

    Sunday, January 26th 2014, 2 - 5 PM

    *Please arrive 15 minutes early.

    WHERE: Poketo Store, 820 E. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

    Registration Price: $125
    Class size is limited: 20

    SIGN UP HERE:  LEATHER BELT MAKING TICKET


    You will get to take home, (or even wear!) your own handmade leather and a rotary leather hole puncher, not to mention a wealth of knowledge from two professional leather craftsmen.

    Please wear closed toed shoes! We don’t want any bruised toes!

    Should you have any questions, or if this workshop is sold out and you would like to be put on a waiting list, please visit our FAQ's page here or email workshops@poketo.com.

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  • LEATHER BRACELET MAKING WORKSHOP #2

    Announcement to all DIY People of Santa Barbara, designers, craft persons, makers and first-timers:

    Take a class with Steven Soria of Make Smith Leather Co. and hand-make Christmas gifts for friends, or yourself. Why Not? M.S. is hosting their first bracelet making workshop at the leather working studio in downtown Santa Barbara. Choose from three dates: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 21st, 22nd and 23rd from 6 - 8pm. Sign up here!

    Class break down:

    1. Quick survey of leather crafting tools

    2. Brief overview of leather types

    3. In depth demonstration of a bracelet making

    4. Then, you're set free to make as many bracelets as you can in an hour and a half, so there will be lots of creative crafting time.

    Price:  $50  (includes all tools and materials) 

    How to sign up: Call 805.699.6296 or by a ticket here!

    Class location:  117 West De La Guerra St, Santa Barbara CA  93101

    Class dates and time:  November 21st, 22nd and 23rd from 6 - 8pm

     

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