What's 317 Leatherworks all about?
Glad you asked! The "317" in our name comes from Colossians 3:17, a verse in the Bible which says, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." I give God all the credit for giving me the ability to create the things I do, using the natural leather that He created.
It all started with a Journal cover that a dear friend showed me. I said, "Hey, I can make that!" So I did, using the leather tools that my great grandmother had passed down to my father, who had then passed them down to me. When I got them from my father, I didn't have a clue how to use them. Back then I just carried them around and kept them for sentimental reasons, but they are now true tools of the trade. With my friends' helping me with everything from our logo design, field testing the products we come up with, to the feedback we get, it helps us improve. We haven't stopped making leather products since!
Everything we make is cut by hand. I usually do not burnish the edges because I like the rough natural look, but I do make the edges uniform. I make each piece at my workbench, where I choose what to make of it. Sometimes the cut of the leather will inspire me to make something that I wouldn't normally make, that's how the tote and backpack came along.
We started this endeavor as a way to make some extra money for our family to pay for some expenses, and we also use profits to help missionaries in support The Great Commission as outlined in Matthew 28:19.
We hope that you will get many years of use out of the products we make and I pray they serve as a reminder of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who forgives us of our sins. If you want to know more, send me a conversation, I'd be glad to answer any questions you may have.
