In these casual Beginner Classes you can learn to emboss (stamp), dye, seal, and stitch and burnish edges on a simple item like a coaster, working on veg tanned leather. You also have a tour through the store showing all the different types of leathers and exotics.  This fun class teaches you the basics that will carry you through all of your projects including tool uses and leather choices. 
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.

SATURDAY OPEN CLASS (REGULARS)
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...

However, if you have ANY particular project in mind - perhaps using chrome tanned leather for a soft handbag for example, this is also achievable without the Beginners Class, and you will be guided on the day. Please note there are no sewing machines in the classroom.  All sewing is done by hand.

TUESDAY OPEN CLASS (GENERAL)
Tuesdays, being a smaller class, are also an Open class to make what you want and you will be be guided step by step. Please Note that if the class contains less than 4 participants, the tutor will guide you step by step, but whilst you are busy, she will continue with other tasks.  Tuesday Open classes fall on every 2nd Tuesday.

MORE INFO
4 hour Saturday Classes and 4 hour alternate Tuesday classes are $50.00 each. Beginners to advanced are all welcome. Bookings for all classes are essential and can be booked individually, by the lesson. Come in and join all the fun.

 

Private Tuition is available at $60 per hour for one on one tuition with Silvia Guerrera.

Room Hire:  Use of craftroom with no tutor or consumables is available @ $15 per hour.

You can also take advantage of the brilliant private tuition you'll receive with Mario Dato at the rate of $60/hour (minimum 2 hours) for shoe making. Email silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au for more info.

 

Book Saturday classes HERE.     Book Tuesday classes HERE.       

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BEGINNERS STAGE 2:  BELT MAKING OR DOG COLLARS!

Hey, have you done the Beginners Class?  Well its time for Stage 2!

Even if you haven't you can still make belts.  Learn the principals of belt making in this fun workshop where you can emboss & colour on natural veg tanned cowhide, or add bling to a pre-coloured belt length to call your own.

     

In this workshop you will practice on some scrap leather initially to work out what youd like to do, then correctly measure you belt length, bevel your edges and decorate to your liking including embossing and dyeing if you wish. 

Burnishing edges will finish off your master piece, including setting your buckle and hardware.  Loads of fun!
AND the same rules apply to dog collars.  Have the measurement of your dog's neck and off we go.

Supplied:

 Required:

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 embossing or extra hardware like conchos and studs. Otherwise, just plain and stitched in a cool colour. 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 March 2019     BOOK HERE

Time:   8.45am sharp to 1.00pm

Where: Birdsall's upstairs workshop

Cost:    $75.00 for a 4 hour workshop

Supplied:

Veg tanned strap in natural or 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.

Harness needles and thread if you're stitching.

Suede if you're lining

Required:

Your imagination!

Perhaps an old collar you'd like to replicate.

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BEGINNERS STAGE 3:  CARVING & TOOLING LEATHER

Have you completed Beginners Stages 1 and 2?  
Well even if you haven't, you can 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.
You will learn how to handle a swivel knife, how deeply to cut, and then which sides of the lines to bevel to create shadow and dimension. Back grounding, modelling and pearshading come next to complete your basic training.
We will antique our work which will sit in the grooves and impressions and bring this piece to life.

When:  Saturday 23rd February, 2019     BOOK HERE
Time:    8.45am - 12.45pm
Where: Birdsall's upstairs workshop
Cost:    $75.00 for a 4 hour workshop

Supplied:
Natural veg tanned leather piece
Craftaid template
Marble slab

Required:

Embossing tools (11): A104 Backgrounder / B702 Beveller / B936 small Beveller / C940 Camouflage / H907 Stop / Pear Shaders: P206 small smooth, P217 small checkered / S706 Seeder / U849 small Mulesfoot, V409 Veiner X501 Basketweave

Swivel knife

Modelling tool
Mallet or Maul
Edge creaser
Marble slab

Strop

Some tools will be available in the workshop to be shared amongst students.  Bring your own tools if you have them.

***WORKSHOP SPECIAL KIT***

Purchase a complete set of required tools, (normal RRP @ $225.00) for the super discounted price of $187.00!

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SHOE MAKING WITH MARIO DATO

Learn to make a pair of custom made shoes from start to finish!

Shoes can include open toes, closed toes, high heels, flat heels or wedges, mens or womens. (Boots excluded for beginners) 

Skills you will learn include pattern making, cutting, machine skiving & machine stitching, folding, colouring, hand lasting, last building & edge finishing.

Both 6 week courses on consecutive Saturdays, or an intensive one week (5 day) course are on offer throughout the year with master Italian shoemaker, Mario Dato who has over 50 years experience. Perhaps bring a pair of old shoes you'd like to replicate or a photo of them!

Five Day - Intensive in February 2019   BOOK HERE

When: Monday 18th to Friday 22nd February.
Time: 9.00am to 3.00pm

Six Consecutive Saturdays Mar / Apr 2019    BOOK HERE

When: 2nd March to 6th April
Time: 9.00am to 1.30pm

Details
Where: Birdsall's downstairs workshop
Cost: $755.00 for a 6 or 5 day course & a pair of shoes!
($655 for repeat students, minus tools)
 

Cost is inclusive of:
· All tuition
· Leather and components
· Use of all tools & equipment
· Tools to keep: shoe hammer, lasting pincers, tack knife, clicking handle & blade, scratch awl, magic pen & apron - value: over $250!! 

Compulsory: Closed shoes & no loose clothing or hair Take advantage of the weekly payment system for the six week course of $130p/w for those of you a lump sum who prefer not to pay up front.

Private Tuition with Mario
Finding the time slots difficult to attend?  Or you don't need a full course?  We are introducing PRIVATE TUITION with Mario Dato which can fall on any day except Thursdays, Fridays or Sundays!  Exciting stuff!

Take advantage of the brilliant tuition you'll receive with Mario at the rate of $60/hour (minimum 2 hours). Email silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au for more info.
  

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 Closed in footwear (on your feet) is mandatory

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    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. (Shoe workshops are less than 21 days prior to workshop.)

• Closed in shoes are MANDATORY

 Need Accommodation?  Dont forget.....

 

                                                                                                                             

 We have good, clean, old fashioned pub style accommodation, literally walking distance across the road, at some great negotiated rates of $110/night if youre travelling from afar, and youd like to stay local overnight, or longer!  Email silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au for details.   Cant get much closer!