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News
Parking at Birdsalls
April 15, 2021
Just to let you know that the parking on Birdsalls premises is strictly 2 hours. There is ample street parking for students attending classes, so we ask you to please use the street parking. Therefore we leave the carpark for... [read more]
New Opening Hours and Class Times
March 16, 2021
Announcing our new hours of operation: Monday to Thursday: 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday: 8.30am to 2.30pm Saturday: 8.30am to 1.00pm Saturday morning classes will commence at 8.30 SHARP! Hope to see you... [read more]
New lift installed and Classes up and running!
February 22, 2021
Welcome, one and all to our Taren Point store with our newly commissioned operational lift, designated for our wheelchair bound and less mobile customers, not to mention pram access! We look forward to having you come visit, unlike days... [read more]
Taren Point Doors Opening Soon!
July 10, 2020
After a few hiccups, construction is almost over and the new shop will be open to the public very soon. We thank you for your patience and look forward to welcoming you to the shop, either via the stairway, or within time, the new lift... [read more]
.jpg "Whip Making from Scratch with Bill Webb")
Whip Making from Scratch with Bill Webb
May 16, 2018
It seems the second session of Bill Webb's 3 day Whip Making Course was just as successful as the first! This time Bill took a new bunch of students, (including a little 10 yr old gem by the name of Grace, and boy, could she plait!),... [read more]
.jpg "Leather Moulding Covering Bottles")
Leather Moulding Covering Bottles
May 16, 2018
What a cool workshop we had covering bottles with Basil leather recently (which is sheep skin with a two-way stretch).  The students got very creative and thoroughly enjoyed learning leather moulding... [read more]
We Made a Stirrup Bag
December 21, 2017
 The Stirrup Bag workshop was an extremely successful class with some students surprised at their own ability to create something so beautiful!  Admittedly, we ran out of time to complete the bag, as the students were our Guinea... [read more]
Bridle Making Workshop with Alan Hartley
December 18, 2017
Alan Hartley's horse bridle making workshop is always a popular event, where students can absorb the years of leather and equine related knowledge that Alan has, which he delivers in abundance!  Everyone was able to complete... [read more]
Marble Dyeing. Its messy fun!
September 25, 2017
Some very artistic designs were created in the Marble Dyeing workshop by some very creative people! Watching the pieces evolve was such fun and masterpeices in the making! They spread the gel on Perspex, put droplets of colour... [read more]
Jandal Making in September
September 25, 2017
Mario conducted another of his famous Jandal making workshops which is basically simple summer footwear that can be made in one day.  The creative folk put their best foot forward to make a pair of shoes they were all happy... [read more]
Lets Make a Top Hat
July 31, 2017
The Top Hat workshop was a successful day where some great variations were created. We started with steady hands, cutting out from our template and then decided on some cool colouring.  Assembly was the most... [read more]
More Belts Galore
June 6, 2017
Its amazing to watch the creativity flow when you get a bunch of individuals in a leather workshop and let them loose! After learning the belt making process & principals and measuring up, the students were able to put... [read more]
Thats the Croc Man at Ulysses!
June 6, 2017
The Ulysses Motorbike AGM was held at Port Macquarie where Birdsalls were a trader this year. Our stand being different from the other traders, we were unique enough to let the masses know who we are and what we... [read more]
New Zealand Leather Artisans Conference 2017
June 6, 2017
The New Zealand Leather Artisans Conference was held in Palmerston North in early May where a small number of participants enjoyed workshops and demonstrations from local and international tutors.  Workshops held included a saddle... [read more]
Making Dog Collars with Ann Maree Ager
June 6, 2017
Artist Ann Maree Ager gladly stepped in to take on the Dog Collar class with the help of our trusty part of the furniture, Colin Berry. Students were happy to complete their dog collars after being showed the ropes and the room... [read more]
Making a Western Style Bridle with Alan Hartley
December 15, 2016
A full class of eager horse lovers travelled  from all over to take part in Alans bridle workshop. Participants learned how the straps were cut, from bridle leather, then ends split, and edges bevelled and burnished.  [read more]
Lets make shoes!
November 28, 2016
Check out the shoes made in the one-week intensive course with Mario Dato recently.  There really is a fine art to shoe making, and you do end up with a new appreciation of how detailed it is to make a pair of... [read more]
Plaiting Dog Collars & Leads with Bill Webb
November 17, 2016
What a successful workshop this was with Bill Webb and a full class of eager plaiting enthusiasts.  Bill showed the finer skills of skiving and preparing the kangaroo lace and then proceded to get everyone to plait a dog lead... [read more]
Making Top Hats with Ron Evans
October 26, 2016
What a fantastic workshop this was, with lots of busy students cutting, colouring, stitching and assembling their top hats and some taking on the Steampunk theme as well! Now some imagination will go into their hat bands and... [read more]
The Art of Rose Making
October 7, 2016
When turning life into art, its always rewarding!  These roses were completed in a one day fun class where everyone was impressed with their results.  After refining some skiving skills which can be a test, and... [read more]
Wallet Making - attaching an outer to an insert
June 16, 2016
Step by step instructions were given to a class of eager students of how to assemble a wallet insert to an outer.  All participants decorated their outers with "Rock Embossing" which is a nice quick way to get some interesting... [read more]
Making a Plaited Belt - Owen Style!
May 15, 2016
Master plaiter for over 30 years, Owen Hartshorn had a full class of eager plaiters making their own plaited belt from scratch. Most chose neutral colours to try out their new found skills with the insight of knowing how to improve... [read more]
Make a pair of Jandals
May 15, 2016
The Jandal workshop was a very busy and successful one with lots of cutting, gluing and sanding to make some very nice simple footwear. Here's one of our happy jandal students having fun assembling her jandals, and working so... [read more]
Full Class for a Leather Tour
May 15, 2016
Ross Birdsall had his work cut out for him in a full class for the last Leather Appreciation Tour. Nothing he couldnt handle though, as Ross has been surrounded by leather most of his life, so his knowledge is vast and detailed. [read more]
Smile for the Camera, on Hong Kong TV!
April 1, 2016
We were visited by Anchors Sarah and Jason and their film crew from Hong Kong TV to show them back home what places of interest there are in Australia, where Sarah grew up.  So a full film crew came into the classroom... [read more]
More Groovy Shoes
April 1, 2016
The six week shoe making course came to an end with some marvellous creations coming to the fore.  Some people have loads of imagination! There were even some hand painted creations that don't have an occasion as... [read more]
Leather in the Royal Easter Show
April 1, 2016
Well the Royal Easter Show is over for yet another year and Leatherwork was again represented to the masses to show our art is well and truly alive.  Mind you, the cabinet was a little bare this year, so perhaps some of you... [read more]
Marbling Fun
April 1, 2016
We marbled our little hearts out on March 19, making cute little card holders but practiced on scrap leather first to master the skills.  All were amazed to see how it all happens with the marbling compound mixed with water... [read more]
Mardi Gras Fun
March 7, 2016
We had some fun just in time for Mardi Gras, with the Sirius Pups, a playful bunch of boys who came to us for the second year running to make some great leather components for their inspiration. This time, the lads made leather... [read more]
Some Super Shoes!
March 7, 2016
Mario's happy students completed their one-week intensive shoe workshop and some even had time to make a second pair of shoes.  What great value this course is!  They all appreciated Mario's knowledge which he is more... [read more]
Embossing Finesse
March 7, 2016
Ross Birdsall recently spent some time providing personalised monograming with one of his brilliant new embossing machines that he has added to his range.  Two Hands Agency organised for Ross to emboss at the Seed Clothing Company in... [read more]
A Hens Party with a Difference!
January 11, 2016
Here's a top new idea for that special occasion. These girls had a great time at Jasmine's Hens Party with a difference at Birdsalls! The had a leathercraft lesson, complete... [read more]
Look what the December shoe course produced!
December 15, 2015
A variety of styles were produced in this course, including, gymboots, fancy printed calf skin flats, and these super knee high boots made by Diane.  Of course boots cant be made by beginners so Diane's been to a few courses... [read more]
Exposure in China!
December 6, 2015
  Another five minutes of fame was bestowed upon us recently with Hong Kongs largest circulating media... [read more]
Making a Bridle with Alan Hartley
December 6, 2015
Alan Hartleys Bridle workshop consisted of 10 lovely ladies, so Al was definitely outnumbered! All... [read more]
A Satchel Made by Colin in Leather Class
December 6, 2015
Check out the work of Colin Berry after some hard work perfecting and finishing his project!  This satchel is originally a pattern from the very talented Rene Berends from Austria, which Colin followed to a tee to produce this beautiful... [read more]
Look what a little private tuition produced!
October 13, 2015
Hey, check out Karen's finished bag after some private tuition at Birdsalls! Karen travelled from WA to treat herself to some fun days of learning and adding to her leather knowledge and skills. What a cool bag, and shes... [read more]
A Sculptured Koi Fish Workshop Complete!
September 28, 2015
This little critter finally made it into the classroom and he took way shorter time to make than expected!  Some great colours were created to make this 3D Koi fish come to life.  Also some great skills learned by... [read more]
Another Successful Shoe Course
September 28, 2015
Mario had his work cut out for him with six eager students ready to learn all the skills to make their first pair of shoes.  An informative and good time was had by all to produce some beautiful looking shoes in a... [read more]
Making Leather Twisted Bracelets
August 30, 2015
Many styles and colours were created in this cool workshop recently, influenced by the artistic Master, Dave Mangino, whose jewellery and accessories work is amazing. Students got to make two bracelets, one twisted and one either... [read more]
Another Dimensions in Leather is over, but hopefully not the last time!
July 16, 2015
July 4th saw the start of the week-long Leather event of the year, Dimensions in Leather 2015 at St Lucia's  University of Queensland. Some magnificent tutors were there including internationals like Peter Main, Bob Park, Bob... [read more]
Moulded Knife Sheath Course with Ron Evans
July 16, 2015
 Ron Evans hosted a wet moulded knife sheath workshop with some studious onlookers present!  Everyone learned how to wet mould a sheath for their favourite swiss army knife or Leatherman and can now adapt those skills to... [read more]
Read about Birdsalls 5 generations in the Sunday Telegraph!
July 3, 2015
If you didnt get to see the article on Birdsalls in the Sunday Telegraph, then [read more]
Colouring Workshop with Ann Maree Ager
June 30, 2015
June 27 held a super informative class to teach the finer skills of colouring and shading leather.  Ann-Marees beautiful artwork was on display for all to see and lots of beautiful work was produced, on either the card holder, or... [read more]
More New Shoes!
June 30, 2015
Marios one week intensive shoe course ran again, and the 6 week consecutive Saturdays is in full swing right now! Mario is always known for his patience with his students while they pick up the skills of shoemaking.  ... [read more]
Carving & Tooling Workshop
June 16, 2015
We held a great carving & tooling workshop recently which really showed skill levels improve by the minute!  Those newbies got the hang of it real quick and were able to fine tune their work to get the right depth in their carving... [read more]
Dog Collar Class
May 22, 2015
Everyone was given choices on different types of collars to make for their furry friends.  You could emboss on natural veg tanned, attach some bling to a nice coloured collar, decide where Dee rings go for leashes, brass... [read more]
Leather & Tissue Paper Books & Jewellery
May 11, 2015
And what a crafty workshop it was!  Sue Nelson, from New Zealand held a really creative workshop in early May where we used leather as a base, and different coloured tissue papers which were scrunched up and arranged on top with loads of glue... [read more]
Making Jandals
May 11, 2015
Mario's Jandal (or leather thong) workshop proved really popular with many excited about completing a pair of shoes in one day! Many styles were created as the students were not limited to only thong style shoes, due to Mario's... [read more]
All the colours of the Rainbow!
November 21, 2014
Learning about Colour! Saturday November 15th saw Aida Guirguis's Fundamentals of Colour Workshop at Birdsalls. Students learned about the colour wheel, primary colours and how all colours are a direct result from mixing... [read more]
A Week's Worth of Shoe Making
November 5, 2014
And dont they love it!  If you are to go by the testimonials from many of Mario's students, you will find that he is the best teacher to learn from. Robyn Milne, who has just completed one of the the one-week... [read more]
A Great Marbling Day!
November 5, 2014
November 1st saw a bunch of eager students have fun with gooey marbling compound and make some really cool creations, all showing their individual style. After learning how to marble, and experiment on leather scraps, by spreading... [read more]
Learning Loads about Leather
August 27, 2014
Another Successful Leather Appreciation Tour was held on Saturday August 23rd at Birdsalls which left some keen ladies and gents with a stack of leather knowledge and a whip cracking demo! Ross Birdsall, whos been surrounded by... [read more]
Covering a Glass Bottle with NZ's Sue Nelson
August 8, 2014
What a great workshop had by all in what was simple structure but so much fun! Watching everyone get creative with their bottles was really inspiring, as you could see imaginations take over. The bottles were covered with basil... [read more]
They plaited their belts with Owen
August 8, 2014
Owen Hartshorn's plaited belt class went off a treat with some very satisfied customers leaving the classroom with new plaiting skills and a pretty spiffy looking belt! Once the weave and the tension was worked out, the class... [read more]
Guess Who?? Johnathon La Paglia joins Birdsalls Leather Class!
August 8, 2014
Aussie actor, Johnathon La Paglia, (brother of Anthony) whose most recent claims to fame are staring roles in "Underbelly", "The Slap", and "Love Child" visited Birdsalls classroom to make a watch strap for his daughter. ... [read more]
Welcome to our new website!
April 29, 2014
We are finally up and running, after a lengthy process to get a truckload of products and details listed!! Please bear with us for those last minute additions of images etc.  As you can understand, wtih a product range like... [read more]