Slim says,
“The freedom of expression and joy of taking a blank canvas and turning it into something beautiful and useable is very rewarding. I thrive on being asked to make unusual pieces that need to be ‘invented’, it is a pleasure to help people’s ideas come to life.”
Based in England, but originally from New Zealand, Slim’s interest in leather craft was first ignited at school when he was 14 years old. He was given free rein to create a piece of woodwork and, always choosing a challenge, Slim chose a 3 metre high Maori totem pole. He gifted the totem to a friend who gave it pride of place in his garden. The friend has since moved house five times and relocated the totem pole each time.
Slim began leather craft 30 years ago when a friend asked if he wanted to buy some old tools. He had been travelling around New Zealand in a house truck, doing odd jobs and experiencing life. This provided the opportunity and time to teach himself different styles and techniques of leather craft. Soon the commissions and requests for personalised gifts started to come in.
The commissions have always been weird and wonderful. So far they have included a top hat and bag for a trapeze artist, a fully tooled waist coat depicting a mystical theme, multiple wallets, a musical saw cover, and a selection of ladies handbags – all custom made from the finest leather.
After trading his house truck for a 130-year-old miner’s batch located in 5 acres of subtropical rain forest on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Slim spent 14 years developing his leather craft skills. A stint studying Tourism, Hospitality and Outdoor Education followed, then a job working as a white water rafting guide for 9 years, before it was time for another adventure.
A rope course undertaken in New Zealand provided Slim with the opportunity to undertake jobs doing rope access whilst travelling on his motor bike around Europe. He finally settled in the UK 12 years ago. A beautiful wife and two gorgeous children later, he now lives in Yorkshire, England.
Slim’s workshop is in the basement of his house. He finds inspiration from life, dancing (Slim dances a mean tango), nature, other artists and most importantly, his parents. His mother was a dress maker and he grew up watching her complete beautiful creations around the family home. His father was a builder and architect, responsible for the building of some the most iconic structures in Wellington, New Zealand. And so his fabulous story continues as he embarks on a new period finding joy in working with leather and wood as a full time job…
SLIM SAYS,
“The freedom of expression and joy of taking a blank canvas and turning it into something beautiful and useable is very rewarding. I thrive on being asked to make unusual pieces that need to be ‘invented’, it is a pleasure to help people’s ideas come to life.”
Based in England, but originally from New Zealand, Slim’s interest in leather craft was first ignited at school when he was 14 years old. He was given free rein to create a piece of woodwork and, always choosing a challenge, Slim chose a 3 metre high Maori totem pole. He gifted the totem to a friend who gave it pride of place in his garden. The friend has since moved house five times and relocated the totem pole each time.
Slim began leather craft 30 years ago when a friend asked if he wanted to buy some old tools. He had been travelling around New Zealand in a house truck, doing odd jobs and experiencing life. This provided the opportunity and time to teach himself different styles and techniques of leather craft. Soon the commissions and requests for personalised gifts started to come in.
The commissions have always been weird and wonderful. So far they have included a top hat and bag for a trapeze artist, a fully tooled waist coat depicting a mystical theme, multiple wallets, a musical saw cover, and a selection of ladies handbags – all custom made from the finest leather.
After trading his house truck for a 130-year-old miner’s batch located in 5 acres of subtropical rain forest on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Slim spent 14 years developing his leather craft skills. A stint studying Tourism, Hospitality and Outdoor Education followed, then a job working as a white water rafting guide for 9 years, before it was time for another adventure.
A rope course undertaken in New Zealand provided Slim with the opportunity to take casual work installing rope access for tall buildings whilst travelling on his motor bike around Europe. He finally settled in the UK 12 years ago. A beautiful wife and two gorgeous children later, he now lives in Yorkshire, England.
Slim’s workshop is in the basement of his house. He finds inspiration from life, dancing (Slim dances a mean tango), nature, other artists and most importantly, his parents. His mother was a dress maker and he grew up watching her complete beautiful creations around the family home. His father was a builder and architect, responsible for the building of some the most iconic structures in Wellington, New Zealand. And so his fabulous story continues as he embarks on a new period finding joy in working with leather and wood as a full time job…
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