K. D. Coleman is a leather crafter of quality custom leather goods specializing in sheath work. Every piece is carved, tooled, sewn and dyed by hand so that each creation is as unique as the person who commissioned it.
~~~Classes~~~
Adult Friday Night Crafting Class – Holiday Ornaments – Friday Night, December 8th, 2023 – 6pm – 9pm @ Guilford Art Center (Register Here)
The holiday season is great for making new memories, what better way to do it than to learn a new skill! Come join us for crafting during the holiday season. Unwind on a Friday and make something really unique. The beautiful thing about leather ornaments is that they can be used to decorate at special times of year or be left out all year round. This is also a great opportunity to make some gifts. Everyone loves getting a present made just for them with great care. Students will have the opportunity to make a several ornaments of different styles using various leather working tools and learn some basic leather working techniques!
Adult – Inlay Leather Knife Sheath – November 4th – 5th, 2023 - 2-day Class - 9am – 5pm @ Guilford Art Center (Register Here)
This class will explore the concepts of doing leather inlay for additional customization and design in your knife sheaths. We will review design, patterning, sewing and sealant treatments for either a pouch, split toe style or stud style sheath. This sheath can be made with or without a belt loop. We will explore different design aspects and options. Beginners and intermediate students welcome. To participate in this class you will be required to bring a knife to pattern. What style sheath you make will be determined by the kind of knife you bring with you. Students are suggested to either bring an apron or wear clothes that can potentially get stained as it is possible this may occur in the process of finishing projects.
Leather Accessories Class - January 13th, 2024 - 9am - 4pm - @ Guilford Art Center (Register Here)
Leather accessories seem to find their way into every decade of fashion. From cuff bracelets to leather headbands, from leather pendants to delicate woven chokers – there are a variety of projects that can be created out of leather and worn on a daily basis for decades. Whatever your style, come make a piece you can wear on you to show off to your friends! Various style cuffs, pendants and headbands will be the focus, but the studio is open and there are always more projects! Beginners Welcome. This class will cover the basics of patterning, tooling, riveting, adding hardware and dye work.
Knife Sheath Class - 2 Day Class - Jan. 27th - 28th, 2024 - 9am-5pm (Saturday & Sunday) @Guilford Art Center (Register Here)
A good knife can last you a lifetime if you give it a good home. This class gives you the opportunity to do that. This class will teach you how to design, pattern, sew and treat a pouch or split toe style sheath. This sheath can be made with or without a belt loop. This sheath requires less sewing than the Stud Sheath (class also offered) and is a versatile, solid style of sheath. We will explore different design aspects and options. Beginners welcome.
To participate in this class you will be required to bring a knife to pattern. This sheath works best with a blade that has a minimal/no guard.(Students who have taken the Intro to Hand Forges Blades will have a suitable knife for patterning this style.) If you would like the instructor to verify if the knife you have will work please contact us. Students are suggested to either bring an apron or wear clothes that can potentially get stained as it is possible this may occur in the process of finishing projects.
Adult Clipper Style Wallet - February 24 - 25th, 2024 - 2 days - 9am - 5pm - @ Guilford Art Center (Register Here)
Would you pay top dollar for a new wallet? No need if you make it yourself! Come spend a weekend making a vertical clipper style wallet. The wallet will have a smooth outer shell for maximum tooling (or if a student wants to put and extra pocket out there they can!) We will learn a variety of basic leatherworking skills in this class such as patterning, sewing, tooling and dye work. Come make a piece that will last for decades to come!
K. D. Coleman Leather Goods
kdcolemanleathergoods@gmail.com
Instagram: @k.d.coleman
Essex, CT
CONTACT
About
K. D. Coleman
K. D. Coleman is an artist with an appreciation for a variety of art forms. After 9 years exploring her passion for the art of blacksmithing/bladesmithing, her path led her to begin creating handcarved sheaths and pieces to compliment blades and the lifestyle of those who forge and collect them. She continues to push herself into exploring new and more complicated designs, with the purpose of her pieces to showcase and compliment their subjects, while celebrating and emphasizing the natural organic beauty of the leather itself.She has a passion for functional art and consistently seeks to create beautiful, artistic items that will serve their purpose for decades to come.
K.D. enjoys teaching this art form at various schools and locations including: Peters Valley School of Craft, Guilford Art Center, and Dragon’s Breath Forge.