Visual Inspiration… A peek inside Will’s studio.
It’s always intriguing to see the colors, textures and collections one surrounds themselves with. Check out what we found in our creative directors studio:
From the Archives… 1918 Rodeo Vest
In recent travels, we found this immaculate leather vest from the early 1900′s. Worn as a ”costume” by rodeo cowboys in Lubbock Texas, this vest has handtooled leather accents, sterling silver snaps and a calf skin body. It’s a special remnant of the past we’re excited to add to our archives.
Now in Stock- Batik Tote
Batik printing originated in the islands of Indonesia and predates written records. This method uses the traditional wax-resist dye technique to create designs representing the Javanese conceptualization of the universe and to pay homage to the three major Hindu Gods.
The Batiking process uses a pen-like tool called a Canting that holds and distributes the hot wax. The wax is “drawn” onto a blank fabric which is then dipped into a vat of dye (in this case, it’s indigo dye). As the fabric is submersed in the dye, the wax resists any dye from sinking into the fabric. Hence when washing the fabric out, anywhere the wax was drawn on will show the natural color of the fabric creating unique designs of beauty and harmony.
We’re constantly scouring the world for unique and intriguing materials for our bags– Each of these totes use a found Batik fabric dating back to 75 years ago and is designed to help you carry around whatever beliefs you may have. Get yours here
From the Archives: Leather Tooling
Grandfathered into America through Old Mexico (and brought to Old Mexico by the Spaniards), leather tooling traces back to much more than what we see it as today.
These beautiful antique pieces show how leather tooling was used long before the Morning Glory flower came to be…
Behind The Inspiration.. Frank Jay Haynes
Frank Jay Haynes (F. Jay) , was a major contributor to the documentation of settlement and early history of the great Northwest. Haynes is most notable for his work with Northern Pacific Railway and Yellowstone National Park. A native to Minnesota, F. Jay became interested in photography at a very young age and worked his way up to being one of the most distinguished photographers of the 19th century.
The 19th century in America was an era of exploration; as the countries boundaries rapidly expanded, so did the efforts and passions of craftsmen and trade. Haynes worked in many formats and media including stereocards, mammoth plates, albumen prints, photocroms, postcards, lithographs, collodion silver prints on printing out paper, gelatin silver prints, hand colored views, and lantern slides.
Haynes’ point of view helps to connect us with the great Americana heritage that we can only see through photographs and archives from the past. And his explorations, passions and vision speak to our values here at Will Leather Goods.
Cascades of Columbia, 1880
Great Falls of the Yellowstone, 1884
Boxed Set of Hand-Colored American Indian Cabinet Photos
The Villard “Gold Spike” Excursion. 1883
Crown Prince Leopold of Sweden Trout Fishing (1926)
Bicycle Corps at Minerva Terrace, Yellowstone National Park. 1897
