The art of leather craft is one that has been handed down through countless generations of humans. It is speculated that leather has been used for clothing since the time of the Ice Age, and leather goods have been serving a variety of functions for thousands of years. Today, leather is made using the same basic techniques employed by ancient cultures around the world. To make leather, animal skins are stretched, dried and tanned with acids to soften them and keep them from decaying. Since leather is an organic material, it will rot after a short time if left untreated. In prehistoric times, when leather was used primarily for warmth, the fur of the animal was left on the hide and worn on the inside. Today, leather used for goods and clothing is usually free from animal hair. The significance of leather is still seen today in the sheer number of everyday items that are still made from this durable and fashionable material. Leather is still prized for its smooth, supple qualities and is the primary material used in purses, shoes, car seats, belts and harnesses. Leather remains a popular clothing material, and craftsmen often use specialized tools to create decorative leather items. Cow and lamb hides are the most commonly used animal skins for leather craft. Suede, which is a similar product, is usually made from calf, kid, lamb or goatskin. Working with leather is an art learned over time that produces some of the world's most prized handcrafted goods. It ages beautifully, wears well, and remains functional and beautiful for years. Within eBay's Leathercraft category, you can find leather hides from buffalo, deer, pig, and goat. You can also find a variety of tools from pliers to punches to cutting and embossing leather tools. Everything that you need to craft leather can be found online! |
