Welcome to jeffdsmakes! My name is Jeff, and I am the sole force behind this creative endeavor. With over 30 years of experience as a retired structural engineer, my love for craftsmanship and creating with my own hands has led me to embark on this exciting journey.
At jeffdsmakes, I pour my passion into crafting timeless leather pieces with meticulous attention to detail. From the moment I discovered the art of leatherwork, I knew I had found my true calling. There's something truly magical about transforming raw materials into beautiful, functional items that stand the test of time. Each piece I create at jeffdsmakes is carefully handcrafted with utmost care and precision, ensuring that it not only serves its purpose but also becomes a cherished heirloom. I take immense pride in my work, and every stitch, cut, and finish is a testament to my unwavering dedication to delivering exquisite craftsmanship.
At jeffdsmakes, you'll find a curated selection of leather goods that combine elegance, durability, and practicality. Whether it's a stylish wallet or a timeless bag, each item is imbued with my passion for creating and my commitment to producing exceptional pieces that will accompany you on life's adventures. Join me on this journey as we celebrate the beauty of handmade craftsmanship and explore the endless possibilities of leatherwork.
My maker’s mark, an intertwined circle and triangle, symbolizes my belief in the importance of making.
The triangle represents the trinity of body, mind and soul, and the circle represents creation.
I find balance in life through the act of creating.
My Craft
Jeffdsmakes is a small Canadian business dedicated to creating leather goods that are both beautiful and long-lasting.
With a focus on traditional leather techniques, each item is handcrafted with precision and care. From the cutting of the leather, the saddle stitching, the setting of hardware, and the final finishing, I do everything by hand. I use the highest quality leathers and threads to ensure that my products are unique, functional, durable and beautiful. I enjoy learning about leathers and invest time selecting the best vegetable or chrome tanned leather for each project.
The only machinery I use is a bell skiver or a beveller, which reduces the thickness of a piece of leather by shaving a slice out of the leather's edge. This edge is made thinner than the rest of the leather so that when it is folded over and sewn it allows you to get a nice finished edge.
I use traditional saddle stitching in all my projects.
Saddle stitching is a method for hand sewing that utilizes two needles and a single thread. By passing the needles over each other, the thread interlocks. This method requires extra time but provides durability. If the thread breaks, the locking thread would hold it in place, making repairs easy.
Check it out here!
A project from beginning to end
