Illume Connect

Illume Connect A Leather Retailers' and Manufacturers' Journal The Leather Retailers and Manufactures Journal.

03/22/2025

Need to make a belt but don’t have an exact waist measurement? No sweat. Here’s a foolproof trick:

👖 Take the pant size (let’s say 32)
➕ Add 3-4 inches
🎯 Boom—that’s your starting belt length.

Best case scenario? Measure with a soft tape through the belt loops for a precise fit. But if that’s not an option, this trick keeps you in the safe zone.

⚡ Try it out & never second-guess belt sizing again!

The secret to growing your leathercraft business? It’s not just about skill—it’s about showing up. 🛠️ Consistently deliv...
03/21/2025

The secret to growing your leathercraft business? It’s not just about skill—it’s about showing up.

🛠️ Consistently deliver quality.
📢 Stay visible in your marketing.
💬 Engage with your audience regularly.

When people see you showing up again and again, they start to trust you. And trust? That’s what turns browsers into buyers.

Drop a ✅ in the comments if you’re committed to showing up for your business!

03/20/2025

Wedding season is here, and Sarah’s Bouquet Wrap Course is dropping this April—just in time to help you turn custom leather wraps into a high-end, in-demand product.

But before you start sketching designs and picking out scrollwork, let’s get real about pricing.

💡 Your time = your price. A small, intricate bouquet wrap can take just as much effort as a larger project. If you're adding fine details, deep tooling, or complex cuts—price accordingly.

💰 Know your bride. Some will happily pay $300+ for a hand-tooled masterpiece. Others? Not so much. Set a starting price, test the waters, and adjust as demand grows.

🚨 Rule #1: The bride needs to know the cost BEFORE you start cutting leather. No surprises = happy clients.

Sarah’s course is dropping in April—perfect timing for wedding season. Stay tuned!



Saddle makers, listen up—because the way you cut your hide matters more than you think. 🤯 Ever wonder why your fenders s...
03/19/2025

Saddle makers, listen up—because the way you cut your hide matters more than you think. 🤯

Ever wonder why your fenders stretch weird or your seats wear out too fast? It's all about placement. The right cut = a stronger, longer-lasting saddle.

Matt Wanner of Burns Saddlery breaks it all down in this throwback from Illume Magazine (formerly ShopTalk!):
✅ Where to cut skirts, seats, and fenders for max durability
✅ Why stirrup leathers should run lengthwise (hint: it’s all about stretch!)
✅ The secret to cutting a symmetrical saddle that wears evenly

Swipe through to see exactly where to place each component on the hide for the best results!

Then, tell us: What’s your biggest struggle when cutting large leather pieces? 👇

03/18/2025

🤫Sheryl Katzke let us in on a little secret...
.. she never measures for her knots. 🤯

Here’s how she really does it:
✔️ Pulls off a couple lengths of lace
✔️ Skives and bevels it
✔️ Cuts off a double wingspan (yep, that’s the official measurement)
✔️ Braids until she runs out or gets close—then either tosses the rest or splices more in

Simple. Efficient. No overthinking required.

Want to see it in action? Watch the clip and give it a shot on your next project!

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Leathercrafters! 🍀 They say finding a four-leaf clover is lucky… but you know what’s even luc...
03/17/2025

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Leathercrafters! 🍀

They say finding a four-leaf clover is lucky… but you know what’s even luckier?

✅ A perfectly tooled floral pattern on the first try.
✅ Stamping a basketweave with zero misalignment.
✅ Threading a needle without cursing.
✅ Finding that ONE tool you swore was lost forever.

Now that’s some real leathercraft luck.

What’s been YOUR luckiest leathercraft moment? Tell us in the comments! 👇🍀

This month’s Illume Magazine Industry Tips, written by Ian Evans of Fiebing Company, asks: “What do you know now that yo...
03/15/2025

This month’s Illume Magazine Industry Tips, written by Ian Evans of Fiebing Company, asks:

“What do you know now that you wish you knew ten years ago?”

Here’s what I’ve learned:
✅ The leathercraft community is incredibly generous—don’t be afraid to ask for help.
✅ There’s no single “right way”—find the techniques that work best for YOU.
✅ Innovation happens when you experiment and try new things—so never stop learning.

💡 Seasoned leathercrafters: Drop your best advice below!
❓ Newbies: Ask your burning questions—no gatekeeping here!

👇 Let’s make this a thread of shared wisdom.

Machines can churn out thousands of identical pieces in minutes. But real craftsmanship? That takes time. 🛠️ A machine c...
03/14/2025

Machines can churn out thousands of identical pieces in minutes. But real craftsmanship? That takes time.

🛠️ A machine can stitch, but it can’t feel the leather.
🛠️ A machine can cut, but it can’t perfect an edge by hand.
🛠️ A machine can produce, but it can’t create.

The difference? Only human hands can craft something truly worth keeping forever.

If you believe in the power of handmade, drop a ❤️ in the comments.

Richemont (Cartier’s parent company) just caused a 7% surge in European luxury stocks. 📈 High-end leather goods are stil...
03/13/2025

Richemont (Cartier’s parent company) just caused a 7% surge in European luxury stocks.
📈 High-end leather goods are still in demand.

So what does this mean for small leathercrafters like you?

🔥 Opportunity.
Luxury brands set the trends—but YOU can ride the wave. When big players focus on heritage craftsmanship, exotic leathers, or hand-stitched details, those trends trickle down.

👉 This is the perfect time to lean into storytelling, showcase your craftsmanship, and elevate your brand. Consumers want heirloom-quality leather goods—without the designer price tag.

Drop a ✋ in the comments if you’re ready to capitalize on the luxury market’s momentum!

03/12/2025

Want to master leather braiding—without the frustration?

Meet Sheryl Katzke, award-winning braider and expert knotter, now bringing her step-by-step braiding mastery to Learn with Illume!

What you’ll learn:
✔️ The four-strand braid—your foundation for expert braiding
✔️ Five essential knots (Turk’s head, Gaucho interweave & more!)
✔️ How to fix mistakes before they ruin your work
✔️ Advanced skills: braiding on a core + intricate knotwork
✔️ Why kangaroo leather is a game-changer 🔥

🚨 Ready to level up your braiding?
Drop "BRAID" in the comments to get access!

03/11/2025

Ever look at a design and feel like something’s off, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? That’s your eye, throwing a fit because the lines aren’t leading it where it wants to go.

See, when you’re drawing or tooling, your eye craves a path—it follows the flow, picks up on spacing, and gets all kinds of confused when things shoot off into outer space. 🚀

The fix? Control the direction.
✅ Guide your lines so they almost touch but don’t.
✅ Keep strokes flowing toward the center—not randomly breaking off like a rebellious teenager.
✅ Curve those stickers back in so the eye stays where it belongs.

Master this, and your designs will feel balanced, intentional, and ✨ chef’s kiss ✨.

Now, go forth and keep those lines in check. Your eye (and your tooling) will thank you.


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Salina, UT

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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