Classes & Workshops

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Check out and book Beginner, Open classes & 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.

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" and "Optimum Open Classes" every month, along with specialty classes slotted in throughout the calendar year.

Included regularly are Belt/Dog Collar workshops and Carving & Tooling Workshops.  There are also regular Jandal making workshops (simple sandals or thongs) with Mario Dato.

• Beginners Class 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 $60.00 each.  Beginners to advanced are all welcome. Bookings for all classes are essential and can be booked individually, by the lesson.
• 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.  Max 4 students. They are $160 for 4 hours ($40/hour).
• Its not mandatory to do the Beginners first, but it comes highly recommended!!!
• 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.
• Room Hire rates are $15/hr but come with no tutor.  You must have a basic understanding of leatherwork and the classroom.

BEGINNERS

 
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 **
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. (Shoe workshops are less than 21 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 can keep it plain in a cool colour or add bling to a pre-coloured belt length/dog collar to call your own.  Your choice. 

                  

You will learn to correctly measure you belt length, bevel your edges and decorate to your liking.  You can practice on some scrap leather if need be.

Burnishing edges will finish off your master piece, including setting your buckle and hardware.  Loads of fun!

• 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!

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.

KANGAROO WALLET MAKING

Learn how to assemble your own wallet from scratch, with pre cut components out of the best skin to make wallets…...quality Kangaroo.

Roo has the rigidity, strength and firmness, whilst being very thin, which is perfect for wallet making.

You will be shown how to skive leather edges with the best handmade skiving knife on the market.

You will learn all skills required including creating your stitching margin, glueing, hole punching, stitching, burnishing, and trimming which will in turn make this compact wallet come to life. 

You will also have instructions to follow which come with our kits.  Learn tricks you may not have thought of, like how to stop your cards falling to the bottom of the wallet pockets, skiving the edges to get your wallet thin as possible and reduce bulk.

When:  Saturday, 29th May 2021   BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30 SHARP— 4.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s Taren Point workshop

Cost:    $150.00 for a 7 hour workshop

Supplied:

• Birdsall wallet kit with all components
• Glues/tapes/gum
• Edge creaser
• Stanley knife*
• Ruler (cork backed preferably)
• Pricking irons 4 prong& singular*
• Irish linen waxed thread
• Harness needles x 2

Some tools will be available in the workshop to be shared amongst students but there may not be enough to share so please bring your own tools if you have them. 

If not, take advantage of the Workshop Special Tool Kit normally retailing at approx. $76.00 but discounted to $68.50

You get:

• Pricking irons 4 prong & singular
• Harness needles x 2
• Edge creaser
• Stanley knife
• Scratch awl
• Corked back ruler
• Leather cement glue

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MAKE A PLAITED KANGAROO WHIP WITH BILL WEBB

Dates have been secured for April…..      (Course will be postponed if Covid restrictions tighten)

All skill levels can join one of Queensland’s finest plaiters, Bill Webb and learn how to plait a kangaroo whip over three days.

You will learn from scratch how to cut from the hide, skive the edges and plait around a core to create a beautiful, practical whip using quality hand stuffed Kangaroo leather.

Bill will take you through all of those processes with detailed explanations to produce some fine neat plaiting and what pitfalls to look for. When you prepare your lace, you will learn about proper lubricants whilst plaiting to keep your project smooth and flowing.  

When: Fri - Sun 25th - 27th June 2021     BOOK HERE

Time:   8.30am SHARP — 4.30pm

Where: Birdsall’s Taren Point workshop

Cost:   $540.00 for a 3 day workshop & your take home Roo whip

Supplied

• 1 x hand stuffed Kangaroo hide
• Wooden handle
• Lubricant

Required

• Small sharp knife
• Lacing fid
• Bring your own lunch

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MAKE A CUSTOM 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 a 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: Saturday 1st May 2021    BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30am SHARP — 4.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s workshop

Cost:    $150.00 for a 7 hour workshop and your custom sheath

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 lunch

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ONE-DAY JANDAL MAKING (LEATHER THONGS OR SIMPLE SUMMER SANDALS) WITH MARIO DATO

New dates available..... Back by popular demand!

Would you like to learn how to make, AND walk away with a brand new pair of custom made leather thongs (Jandals)?
Master Italian shoemaker, Mario Dato, who has over 50 years experience will show you how to cut, shape, dye and assemble some simple, comfortable footwear, namely leather thongs.  Different simple designs are permitted, subject to Mario's approval.

You need to email Silvia with your current thongs size, and make sure you have closed in footwear on the day, hair tied back and no loose clothing, as you will be using machinery in the workshop.

     
                                           
Cost is inclusive of:
Full days tuition
Use of all tools
Leather and components
Extra tools can be purchased at Birdsalls, or bring your own tools if you have them.

When:  Saturday 17th April    BOOK HERE
Time:    8.30am SHARP till 2.30pm
Where: Birdsalls workshop
Cost:    $140.00 for a 6 hour workshop and a pair of shoes!