Classes & Workshops

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Check out and book Beginner classes and workshops on specific projects in the

WORKSHOP & CLASS BOOKINGS tab on the left hand side! 

ALL SATURDAY CLASSES COMMENCE AT 8.30 SHARP!!

Please note that any scheduled dates for future classes should be definite, but are subject to change, if need be

INFO ON CLASSES

Leathercraft classes are held every Saturday morning from 8.30am SHARP -12.45pm, with "Beginners Classes" every month, along with specialty classes slotted in throughout the calendar year.

Included regularly are Belt/Dog Collar workshops and Carving & Tooling workshops. 

Beginners Class - Introduction to Leatherwork teaches you the basic fundamentals of traditional leatherwork including tool uses and a tour of the store, introducing different leathers and what's available to you.  These 4 hour classes are $70.00 each.  Beginners to advanced are all welcome. Bookings for all classes are essential and can be booked individually, by the lesson. Its not mandatory to do the Beginners first, but it comes highly recommended!!!

Optimum Open Classes are the next best thing to private tuition (without private fees) and let you work on your specific project and you are guided step by step.  Held on Tuesdays and Fridays:  Max 4 students from one to four hours @ $40/hr, commencing at 10am.  One student only - reverts to private tuition rates of $60/hr.  Contact Silvia direct to book into these classes silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au

Private Tuition is one-on-one training where you have the tutor all to yourself for maximum tuition. The rate is $60 per hour for one on one with Silvia Guerrera. Contact Silvia direct to book silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au

Please Note:  Optimum Open Classes and Private Tuition, can revert back to $15 room hire rates if you work independently, after been given a task to do, and the tutor returns to her desk to complete her own work, so your class time can be made up of full fees and room hire fees.  This can mean longer time in the classroom if youre on a budget!

Room Hire rates are $15/hr but come with no tutor.  You must have a basic understanding of leatherwork and the classroom.

BEGINNERS - INTRODUCTION TO LEATHERWORK

 
This class opens your eyes to what's available to you, and comes highly recommended. You only need one lesson to set you on your way.

      

OPTIMUM OPEN CLASS - TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS**
Maximum 4 students.  These subsequent classes can be any project you like (within reason) and you will be guided on the day.  This can include carving, bevelling and setting hardware like rivets, studs (baby dots), buckles and keepers, and new projects of your choice will be easy, like belts, journal covers, handbags, almost anything...

OPEN CLASS IMPORTANT INFO!

ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE:

• Bookings are Essential

• Payment in full is required in advance to secure your spot. Credit card, Direct Deposit or cash are acceptable.

• A non-refundable 20% booking fee is applicable for cancellations less than 7 days prior to workshop.

• Closed in shoes are MANDATORY

PARKING: 

Parking on the grounds is strictly 2 hours.  Students for classes are required to park on the street.  Ample street parking is available on Saturday mornings.

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BELT MAKING OR DOG COLLARS!

The principals of making belts or dog collars are the same, only one is shorter!  Learn the basics of how to get your measurements right, work through the steps in order and then decorate to your liking.

You'll be working on a pre coloured belt length and can add bling to decorate if you wish.  Your choice. 

                              

• Belt length coloured in 1½" width (38mm) or similar sizing
• Standard nickle plated full buckle, or half buckle and keeper.
• Conditioners, edge finishes,
• All tools
• Please note:  At extra cost, brass, trophy and special buckles are all available in store, plus any extra conchos or embellishments or bling!

• IMPORTANT:  Please have the waist or hip measurement of the person you are making the belt for!  This is mandatory for the right fit!
• Your imagination!

OR YOU CAN MAKE A CUSTOM DOG COLLAR

Have you ever wanted to personalise a collar for your dog, making it just the way you want?

In this workshop, you will walk away with your own handmade collar complete with extra hardware like conchos and studs if you wish. Your choice. 

                  

Loads of options to choose from including brass hardware for dogs who enjoy the water.  Cost includes a 4-hour workshop, leather, standard buckles & hardware, and use of all tools & dyes.

Important!!  Please have your dog's neck measurement or an old collar to measure from.

(Please note that a basic dog collar will be completed in 4 hours, however, if extra embellishments & stitching are chosen, the project may not be completed in one day.)

When:  Saturday 16th December 2023  BOOK HERE

Time:   8.30am SHARP to 12.45pm

Cost:    $85.00 for a 4 hour workshop

DID YOU KNOW?  You dont have to wait for this class.  You can make a belt or dog collar in any Open class.

Supplied:

Veg tanned strap in pre coloured leather

Hardware: nickle plated buckle & dee ring

Tools, Dyes & Conditioner

Extras:

Brass & chromed brass hardware available plus loads of conchos and embellishments to choose from.

Required:

Your imagination!

Perhaps an old collar you'd like to replicate.

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 CARVING & TOOLING LEATHER

Learn the basic skills of traditional tooling by carving with a swivel knife and using bevelling, background and decorative tools.  
Firstly, you will practice your carving and tooling skills on scrap leather, using a simple craftaid template, with long flowing lines, to get your skills up.
         
                           

Then we will work on a masterpiece from the multitudes of (more simple) Craft Aid templates that you can choose from, on natural veg tanned leather.
pictured above is a beautiful version, tooled by Peter Main, of the craftaid used in this class to help you learn about the tools used for traditional leatherwork.

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PLAITING INTRODUCTION WITH OWEN HARTSHORN

Learn the intricacies of plaiting in this introductory workshop where you make this very cool hatband that demonstrates round, flat plait, gumnuts and turks heads!

Long time plaiter, Owen Hartshorn has been plaiting leather for over 40 years.  Learn skills from the master to be able to handle 4.7mm lace, which makes it nice and easy for you to pick up.

You'll start with 4 strands, moving onto 6, completing round and flat plaiting.  Be patient to master your turks head and gumnuts, if Owen thinks you’re up for the challenge.

When:  Saturday 25th November 2023    BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30am — 3.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s workshop

Cost:    $115.00 for a 6 hour workshop and  some take home masterpeices

              Bring your lunch

Supplied:

10 mtrs of 4.7mm lace

 Braiding clamp

 Braiding lubricant

 Tools Required:

Sharp knife (Stanley, break off, etc)

Lacing fid

A small amount of items are available in the Craftroom to be shared amongst all students.

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PLAIT A DOG LEAD WITH OWEN HARTSHORN

Join one of the best and patient plaiters Sydney has to offer and learn to make a plaited dog lead to spruce up your pooch!

Owen will take you through the processes to produce a fine, neat round plaited item to teach you the skills you need in round plaiting.

You will prepare your lace and will learn about proper lubricants whilst plaiting to keep your project smooth and flowing. 

The lead is an 4 strand round plait using 10 mtrs of 4.7mm lace.

There should be extra lace left over from this class to help you start another project!

A fun workshop with some great skills learned.

When:  Saturday, 2nd December 2023    BOOK HERE 

Time:    8.30am — 12.30pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:     $90.00 for a 4 hour class and your take home lead

Supplied

• Kangaroo lace: 10 mtrs x 4.7mm
• Braiding clamp
• Braiding lubricant
• 1 x brass snap 20mm

Required

• Small sharp knife
• Lacing fid

A small amount of items are available in the Craftroom to be shared amongst all students.

KNIFE SHEATH WITH BEN DUNCAN

Do you have knives needing custom sheaths?
Or do you want to make a better sheath than the stock standard boring ones that come with some knives?
Or if you're a knife maker, this is the workshop for you.        
       
Join knife maker and leatherworker, Ben Duncan to learn the principles and his precise methods to get the job done.  Starting with design, Ben will show tips and tricks and also pitfalls of sheath making.

In this workshop you will make either a two piece or a fold over sheath for your standard knife. 
You will learn how to make a welt so that that sharp blade will not harm the stitches in your sheath
Bring your favourite standard sized knife to work with, with the full length to not exceed 30cm.
 

You will be working with 3.5mm natural veg tanned cow hide and will be dyeing or antiquing on the day.

You have the choice to decorate your sheath with simple stamping (embossing) prior to colouring.

When:  24th February 2024      BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30am  SHARP — 5.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Supplied:

• 3.5mm natural veg tanned cowhide
• Waxed thread & needles
• All tools & hardware
• Dyes, antiques, sealers & conditioners

Required

• Your knife
• Closed in shoes!
• Bring your own lunch

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KNIFE SHARPENING WITH DAR LU

Do you have any of those perfectly good knives lying around that are rendered useless, but could just do with a good sharpening?

Join Dar Lu on December 3rd to learn how to sharpen, strop and polish those knives and tools to perfection.

Bring all your favourite knives to work on, including  cutting, clicking, swivel, skiving, round, or any other general purpose knives or sharp tools you have.

You will learn the basics of knife sharpening, including sharpening angles, length of time, and pressure.

Included in the workshop fee is your own 4 sided purpose built strop to take home, featuring two emery sides and two leather sides in different grades.

Some economy sharpening stones will be available on the day.  Dar will explain the pitfalls and advantages of certain tools and stones.  Beginners welcome.

When:  13th January 2024    BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30am  SHARP — 12.30pm

Cost:    $110 for 4 hrs tuition and your strop      

Supplied: (Take Home)

Sharpening & polishing  strop

Required:

Knives/tools of your choice to sharpen

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MARBLE DYEING WITH MARBLING COMPOUND AND SHAVING CREAM!

This has to be one of the most creative and rewarding workshops which is just plain fun!  Bring your kids (over 8 yrs) with you!

Discover this interesting technique, using marbling gel and dyes to create awesome artwork, on the wonderful medium of leather!  We will also marble with shaving cream!

Once you refine your marbling skills on leather test pieces, you’ll be marbling this neat little decorative credit card or business card holder with your final marbled piece.  You can then apply marbling to any future project you desire!  

Your white powdered marbling compound will be mixed with water the night before, ready to use. It will resemble wallpaper glue in its clear paste form.  Once you add colour and imagination, watch your cool creations evolve and come to life.  They really are amazing

When:  Saturday 3rd February 2024    BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30am SHARP — 2.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:    $130.00 for a 5 hour workshop and a take home card holder & test pieces

Supplied:

1.2mm leather

Tray

Marbling compound

Shaving Cream

Dyes

Pipettes

A3 paper

Mink Oil or Carnauba Cream

Small easy snap & setter 

Bring from Home:

Swirling implements (old comb, needles, paint brush ends, skewers, anything thin and pointy!)  

  Some tools available to share in classroom

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