Leather Love
The Hands That Heal: How Love, Pain, and Leather Shaped My Story (Part II)
Reflections on Growth, Grace, and the Unexpected Ways Art Becomes a Lifeline.
After sharing my last reflection on staying strong through life’s storms, [Part I: “Where Strength Is Forged in the Fire”], a young woman I once mentored reached out with a message that moved me to tears. Her words reminded me that the lessons we learn in struggle don’t stop with us — they ripple outward, shaping others in ways we might never see. This follow-up is a story about that ripple — about growth, grace, and...
When Chargebacks Hurt Creators: The Hidden Cost of “Friendly Fraud” for Handmade Businesses
By Lisa M. Cantalupo
Leather Artist | Where Leather Meets Lineage
A leather artist’s perspective on fairness, integrity, and the human impact of chargeback abuse.
Each handmade piece begins here — one cut, one stitch, one story at a time.
Rising Through the Slumps: Finding Strength in the Valleys
Every artist, entrepreneur, and dreamer knows this truth: there are seasons of abundance, and there are seasons when things feel unbearably dry. My journey as a leather artist has been no different.
When I first started in 2005, I had no idea just how winding and difficult this path would be. Life tested me with more than just the ups and downs of business—deep personal losses, painful endings, and challenges that at times felt impossible to overcome. There were stretches when it felt like I was trudging...
How to Braid 6 Strands of Kangaroo Leather Around a Core – A Custom Bracelet Transformation
When a client sent me their broken bracelet—fraying, falling apart, and barely holding on—I knew I had a chance to turn a worn-out piece into something deeply personal and beautifully handcrafted. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through my process of braiding a 6-strand kangaroo leather cord around a 2mm core and transforming that old hardware into a brand-new custom bracelet they now love.
Why Kangaroo Leather?
Kangaroo lace is known for its strength, thinness, and flexibility—ideal for intricate braiding. When working with six...
Hollywood Called…And I Answered with Leather
Hollywood Called… And I Answered with Leather
I recently received an order through my website for a new Brad Pitt film currently in production, The Adventures of Cliff Booth. The order? Eight Cliff Booth Leather Bracelets and two Cliff Booth Bund-style Leather Watchbands. Each piece was handcrafted in my studio and shipped straight to Hollywood...