Stylish online magazine The Scout recently produced this fascinating video portrait of leather crafters Chris and Kirk Bray of Billykirk. Formed in 1999, Billykirk was inspired by the purchase of a thrifted 1970s watch strap. The brothers always knew they’d start a design business together and leather work seemed the perfect match for their interest in quality craftsmanship and simple yet elegant designs. After apprenticing with a third generation leather maker in Los Angeles, the brothers set out to craft their line of leather products using the highest quality materials treated with natural oils and vegetable dyes, the same way they did it in the old West.
Photos by Rose Callahan
Check out Etsy’s Handmade Portrait video featuring leather tooling Etsian Allison Sattinger, a.k.a. Sunny Rising Leather. Tell us about your favorite handmade leather items in the comments!
91 comments
Sign in to add your ownPhatGrrl says:
Very interesting. Thanks for the vid!
2 years ago
sonyarasi says:
Very neat! I just received a leather jewelry book in the mail today!
2 years ago
Beesnetta says:
Wonderfully inspiring...and great music!
2 years ago
jessitaylor says:
awesome - tooled leather is an art that deserves some recognition, well done!
2 years ago
TheOakLeaves says:
a fantastic video, with great music. thanks for sharing with us!
2 years ago
lovelygifts says:
Great pieces!
2 years ago
iomiss says:
GREAT!!!
2 years ago
styleforlife says:
Love these guys and I love their line. Incredible. xo Emily http://www.etsy.com/shop/styleforlife
2 years ago
bottlehood says:
Bravo all around... from the craft to the studio/tools to the dedication of the brothers Kirkland! and applause to the video production... high quality all around!
2 years ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
wow beautiful work, I'm pretty sure secretly my dad always wanted to be a cowboy. I've always admired leatherworking its amazing how intricate yet durable it can be.
2 years ago
CarryTheWord says:
Wonderful craftsmanship!
2 years ago
cynthiamurphy says:
So inspiring. Thank you so much for a great feature.
2 years ago
Ryanplz says:
very inspiring. what a wonderful short film about them. thanks a lot for sharing!
2 years ago
theLostEarring says:
Wonderful! Reminded me of my sister and I (our fights are always short-lived too). My favorite leather item is an old, weathered belt I bought at a thrift store I worked at in college. Who knows how old it is, but my oh my it has withstood the test of time :) It's great that they embrace the lost concept of making things to last! Thanks for sharing.
2 years ago
Waterrose says:
This is such a great video. Love their work.
2 years ago
VedaArts says:
Love the craftmanship! great work. ps are they single.. ;)
2 years ago
enhabiten says:
great video. thanks for sharing tara. the whole standard of buying once and buying to last as well as the feeling for notalgia bit...i could relate to a great deal of this.
2 years ago
designlab443 says:
Love the studio space and the lovely products!
2 years ago
amysfunkyfibers says:
How cool to work along with a brother! Great article!
2 years ago
bylynnkrestel says:
i think i have a little cowgirl in me! weathered cowboy boots - like an old friend! and great craftmanship - it is a lost art! much success to you, brothers - thanks for sharing!
2 years ago
FineThangz says:
Although I don't tool, for one who also works with leather, I fully understand the appreciation for it in it's rawest form. Great vid and article!!!! Thanks.
2 years ago
RoyalPrincess says:
Great Work !! and love the video
2 years ago
terradctl says:
the video, music, workshop and items are all amazing. those brothers certainly have an eye for quality :)
2 years ago
VerreDesign says:
Love thick and well built leather pieces. Great video, thanks for sharing:)
2 years ago
TinderBloom says:
Love leather!How excellent to be working w/your sibling. A parents dream, and what a sweet shop they have. Love to spend a day learning from them :-) Well done.
2 years ago
ourtreehousedesigns says:
Great work, I agree with the need to get back to buying products that last, supporting handmade, and buying quality. Good on ya, Mimi
2 years ago
sunnyrisingmetal says:
What a fantastic pair of brothers and a lovely line of work! :)
2 years ago
ericawalker says:
I always love these peeks into other's work, process, inspiration, worlds... thank you.
2 years ago
LuRuUniques says:
Fantastic work. great video, thanks for sharing
2 years ago
sakao says:
what an awesome team...I love meeting people like them, who lives their passion. Thanks!!
2 years ago
opendoorstudio says:
what a wonderful kinship ! their craftsmanship and forethought is inspiring! I love the tradition of it all!
2 years ago
Furiousdreams says:
Beautifully produced video (not film?) and a great portrait of an artisan company. I always enjoy these.
2 years ago
Slowshirts says:
These videos always make me wish i could 100 lives and be a maker of everything. There's just so much out there to learn and do. Great feature!
2 years ago
EuraLee says:
always wanted to try some leather items...they have beautiful classic works. <3 it!
2 years ago
julieboyles says:
Great video. It's fascinating to see how other artists work and what drives them. Thanks!
2 years ago
sseloske says:
Wow, the filming is great. Seriously, beautifully shot. And, regarding The Brothers Kirkland: Handsome fellas making handsome products. I heartily approve.
2 years ago
IntheDesert says:
charming dudes...keep up the good work guys!
2 years ago
DorianCreations says:
Quality craftsmanship.
2 years ago
Gamut says:
It seems like alot of the video shots and music was working to summon a spirit of 'the west' or such. I would have liked to have seen more process. I also think about apprenticeships-mentors. Looking for opportunities to train the next generation up in a craft like this.
2 years ago
twostars321 says:
I loved the video. I used to work in leather and loved the smell and feel of a hide in your hands and then to cut into it a make a 3d object that a person can use. It's the greatest feeling ever. I wish great sucess to the both of you. You are doing a dieing art form. Love it.
2 years ago
recycledwares says:
i felt like i went back in time just a bit. loved the workshop. you brought up a great point, that we have become a throw away society and things that are made well, could be used for years. we end up saving money, because we don't have to buy several of the same thing.
2 years ago
undermyfeet says:
WOW That was a GREAT video! First of all, two brothers running a handmade business, thats neat. Second, they have fantastic products. Third, the photography was awesome. Last but not least, the sound track was perfect. Thanks for sharing this one.
2 years ago
YesterdaysMemories09 says:
It's amazing how talented Etsy artists and artisans are! Thanks.
2 years ago
galanight says:
LOVE THEM T BOOTS AND LEATHER HORSE BOOTIES!
2 years ago
BambuEarth says:
Love this. Thanks for sharing.
2 years ago
KiraFerrer says:
Great video, love seeing the workshop and hearing their thoughts about their work. Plus they're from Santa Monica where I grew up as well.
2 years ago
touchthedutch says:
Fantastic....I loved the video, and how they expressed the importance of quality over quantity...or rather, buy quality handmade, it will outlast cheap, mass produced trash! It was a great glimpse into their studio :)
2 years ago
ikabags says:
Wonderfully inspiring! merci :))
2 years ago
laurenmagpie says:
Great video, I love their rustic studio. The related items are beautiful!
2 years ago
pennysfamilyheritage says:
It is nice to see items that you can pass down to your kids. Or, something that your kids might say..."my dad used this for years. I want to keep that to remind me of him..." Loved this video.
2 years ago
steinschmuckdesign says:
FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!
2 years ago
GallusTreeCreations says:
A great story and beautiful work
2 years ago
pogoshop says:
Such a good explaination about the beauty of well-made, hand-made. These guys have the good fortune of loving not only their end products, but the very materials that they work with. Thanks for this wonderful video. The music was so great that I think I'll watch it again now.
2 years ago
daweigreat says:
Oh,That's great workï¼
2 years ago
breadandroses2 says:
Well done! I'm so gratified to hear these well respected craftsmen emphasize the highest values of timeless design, built to last quality and made in u.s.a. product. This message is more important than ever, especially as even Etsy artisans face increasing competition from low price global resellers feigning handmade in this venue. Loved seeing the work space and tools of the trade perfectly matched w/ an American Roots soundtrack. Thanks so much!
2 years ago
WeeBindery says:
Love it! Great work!
2 years ago
fineartstoneware says:
That is beautiful leatherwork!
2 years ago
Arva says:
A great story and beautiful work !
2 years ago
Arva says:
Really always love these peeks other work ! Thanks so much
2 years ago
maggiemaevintage says:
I love the smell of leather.... great story!
2 years ago
TheSame says:
A truly beautiful short film.
2 years ago
MeadowbelleMarket says:
Amazing (of course)! It's very funny to hear about the sibling relationship - my sister and I have a shop, too (and ALWAYS knew we wanted to own a buisness together as well). As kids, our friends used to just gape at us, all wide-eyed as we had (what seemed to them) like these fantastically intense fights. Noticing their concern, we'd respond with a "What?"....."oh, that was nothing" because 2 seconds later we were the best friends again that we always were!
2 years ago
MeadowbelleMarket says:
As an addition to my commentary above, I think having honest disagreements with a business partner (not holding anything in) helps to quickly address and resolve issues. Maybe that's part of the magic of sibling relationships! Keep it up, guys (the resolving part, mostly).
2 years ago
lolaminch says:
Is it me? why can't I find their etsy shop in the article?
2 years ago
WonderRoom says:
Love the peek into their studio-work life and the passion that fuels their product. Good luck to them with their efforts!
2 years ago
JeansVintageCloset says:
Reminds me of Old Western gunslinger gun holsters and the fine tooled leather designs, Way back when we I was a child we went to Colorado then saw Western Ghost Town set up for Tourists to view, Like the vintage purse
2 years ago
nowonder says:
Beautiful craft! I love leather goods!
2 years ago
coup says:
I could relate to a lot of this feature, sings it rings true to much of how I began my own small biz. So glad I took the time to watch the video.
2 years ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
Loved watching this video! The brothers have a great space to work in!
2 years ago
PetersBride says:
Fantastic collaboration between the two brothers for beautifully made products! Well done video. Loved the music, too.
2 years ago
codybones says:
Could not agree with u more on the issue of a throw away society. Good luck to u!
2 years ago
TastyVintage says:
Thank you for sharing! Very inspiring! I would love to smell all that leather all day!
2 years ago
Alt130 says:
LOVE the video, music, tools, work area and work ethics of Chris and Kirk Bray! Being from the same neck of the woods, I can see how the love of items that last a lifetime mean so much. Simple things that hold a value in our heart, from times/memories past, mean more to some of us than new machine manufactured, lower quality items. Billykirk's items not only bring back the memories, they too can be passed on to those that we create special times/memories with! With great respect I have to say: "You two brothers can be very proud of yourselves knowing that you continue to make your Grandfather proud as well."
2 years ago
krtwood says:
Keep these videos coming!
2 years ago
SatinandBirch says:
What life should be about.
2 years ago
ConservationClothing says:
Heard through the grapevine you guys were in Jersey City helping out with A.H.P's auction a few weekends back. Thanks 4 helping a great cause. Couldn't upload the video but perhaps I'll meet you both sometimes in JC, and you can tell me about it. Take care!
2 years ago
georgiapeach314 says:
What a wonderful short video! Thanks so much for sharing.
2 years ago
victoriousyouth says:
my boyfriend just got one of their wallets, it smells really good and looks like after a few weears it'll get that nice "broken in" look!
2 years ago
pasin says:
Great work
2 years ago
KatsKube says:
very cool that brothers can work so closely with each other and make such wonderful bags.
2 years ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Loved the music in the video, and seeing these two ginger haired brothers together. Wonderful piece.
2 years ago
ButterworthandBee says:
gorgeous workspace, lovely work. well done!
2 years ago
abodewell says:
gorgeous stuff! beautifully produced as well.
2 years ago
LichenAndLychee says:
Hot. very hot. why did i just buy a wallet? sigh.
2 years ago
ColleenAttaraStudio says:
I loved the feel of this video. I could smell the leather in the shop and the gentle ease of creating in the brother's studio. For a few minutes, I was in their creative world, and it was an inspiring place to hang out!
2 years ago
leapinggazelle says:
oh my, gorgeously photographed and produced! I loved the natural sound, the music, these two brothers. Thank you. more, more, more like this :)
2 years ago
TheBeadStorm says:
Great video and work!
2 years ago
nowcreations says:
Nice shop. Love your work.
2 years ago
TheCraftyPatch says:
It's refreshing to see you do leatherwork. My father for 60 years earned a living making saddles, gun belts, belts, wallets, and anything of leather. After his death, I continued the business for 5 years, until my health gave way. We are in East Texas, and he was very famous for his leatherwork. Bedell Rogers. My name is Betty
1 year ago
TheBunnyHole says:
I love this video! I've watched it three times and I swear I can smell the scent of leather coming through my computer each time. A fascinating work space that I'd love to explore.
1 year ago