KINGSMERE CRAFTS

J T Bachelor & Co. Ltd:- 9-10 Culford Mews, Balls Pond Road, Islington, London N1 4DZ, UK. Tel: +44 171 254 2962, 020 7254 2962, 020 8254 8521. A reliable company supplying a wide range of leather. They stock leather skins that are sold by weight. They are also used to dealing with re-enactors and sell leather in all shapes and sizes, also buckles, rivets, punches, dyes etc. They hold a vast amount of leather in stock, plus all the tools, dyes and findings that you could wish for (almost). As far as I know they stock Russet leather for tooling and they do hold most others tannages and hides. My experience is that they are much more knowledgeable about certain types of leather working than others. Phone them first, and be very clear about what the leather will be used for. No website or catalogue. They're easy to get to by tube then bus. Nearest Station: Dalston Kingsland (See also ‘Tanners and leather suppliers’ Here.)

Bowstock Ltd:- 62 Broadwaters Drive, Kidderminster, Worcs DY10 2RY, UK. Tel/Fax: 01562746316. E-mail: Sales@bowstock.co.uk. The company supplies leather in small quantities to businesses and craftworkers. Also kits ready for assembly, starter kits are available with an instruction book. A currency converter and a postal rates calculator are included on their site. This is a reliable company and their site is worth a visit. Website http://www.bowstock.co.uk

Braintan.com:- 10398 Takilma Road, Cave Junction, OR 97523, USA. Tel: (541) 592-3693. E-mail: backcountry@braintan.com. Contact: Matt Richards. 240 pages of information. They are listed here because they supply and tan buckskins. There are books, videos and tutorials on this subject should you wish to make your own leather. (See also ‘Trade Suppliers’ Here). Website http://www.braintan.com

Bridge of Weir Leather Company Ltd:- Baltic Works, Kilbarchan Road, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire PA11 3RH, Scotland. Tel: +44 (0) 1505 612132. Fax: +44 (0) 1505 614964. E-mail: mail@bowleather.co.uk. (They are a wholly owned subsidiary of Scottish Leather Group Ltd:- 1 Seedhill, Paisley, Renfrewshire PA1 1JL, Scotland. Tel: +44 (0) 141 847 4520, Fax: +44 (0) 141 848 7246, see their website http://www.scottishleathergroup.com/sti/scottishleathergroup/home.asp). This privately owned group of leather manufacturing companies employs around 500 people at locations near Glasgow, Scotland. The Group's activities span raw hide processing and tanning, as well as the manufacture of finished leather. Membership of the Group provides them with ready access to high quality hides and tanning experience, and a means of managing supply, quality and research throughout the leather manufacturing process. Building upon the natural advantages of pure water, rich pastures and prime beef herds, Bridge of Weir Leather Company Ltd has grown into a major supplier of finished upholstery leather to the automotive, aviation, marine and contract design industries. Website http://www.bowleather.co.uk/sti/BridgeOfWeir/BOW_Home.asp.

Buckskin Fur & Leather Co:- (A division of Canor Development Corp Ltd.) Calgary Distribution Centre, 5220-1A Street SE, Calgary, Alberta T2H 1J1, Canada. Tel: (403) 253-3459. Fax: (403) 252-4270. Toll free USA and Canada 1-888-723-0806. E-mail: buckskin@buckskinleather.com. Contact: Michael Schluessel. This company is prepared to sell quantities or a single hide to a hobbyists and leather crafters, also to re-sellers and distributors. They will supply manufacturers, and offer discounts on volume. Custom colouring and colour matching is also available. Distribution inquiries are invited from tanners across the world for cost effective supplies and job lots. Website http://www.buckskinleather.com

Clyde Leather Co:- Broadlie Works, Neilston, Glasgow G78 3AB, UK. Tel: 0141-881-4558. Fax 0141-881-0522. Email paul@bevanharris.co.uk. Contact: Paul Harris. The Company has been producing fine suedes and pigmented splits since the 1950s. Specialising in high quality split leathers they offer the following: industrial leathers, leathers and suedes for belts, shoes, fancy goods, keyrings, highland dress, slippers, dance shoes, orthopaedic leathers, leather-goods. They supply leather to colleges, universities, schools and scouting groups. With over 100 embossing plates they have a design that matches most, including exotic animal prints. There is no minimum order. Quantities are from either a single bend (6-9sq ft) or a whole butt (16-22sq ft). With thicknesses from 0·9mm to 3·5mm. Website http://www.bevanharris.co.uk/ still under construction.

Eagle Ottawa (Tanner):- Headquarters, 2930 Aubern Road, Rochester Hills, M1 48309, USA. Tel: 1-248-853-3122. They are a large and long established company producing upholstery leather for use in the automobile industry. They also have worldwide outlets. Website http://www.eagleottawa.com

Hanson Tower Ltd:- Hanson House, Knights Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 2JH, UK. Tel: 01634-713363 or Fax: 01634-721099. E-mail: sales@hansontower.com. Contact: Paul Hanson. This reliable company offers a wide choice of hides for the saddlery and leathergoods industry. They supply reputable companies such as Tanner & Krolle. The following leathers are available, bridle, russet, bag and cloak hide. They only supply quality leather. Website http://www.hanson-tower.com

Harmatan Leather Ltd. (Tanner):- Westfield Avenue, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire NN10 8AX, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1933-412151/312471. Fax: +44 (0) 1933-412242. E-mail: marc@harmatan.co.uk. Contact: Marc Lamb. This company, established in the early 1980s, produce the finest quality smooth-grained and vegetable tanned goat and calf skins for the bookbinding and leathergoods industries. They distribute worldwide and there are facilities for ordering a brochure plus an online order form. Their goat skins come from the Kono and Sakoto regions of Nigeria that are renowned for their beautiful natural grains. Website http://www.harmatan.co.uk

Hewit & Sons Ltd. (Tanner):- Kinauld Leather Works, Currie, Edinburgh EH14 5RS, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 131-449-2206. Fax: +44 (0) 131-451-5081. E-mail: sales@hewit.com. This tanner and leather dresser produces high quality leather for the bookbinding and leather goods industry (vegetable tanned and special finishes). Calf, goat, skiver (sheep etc) are available in a variety of colours. They sell by the square metre and a useful conversion table is available for conversion to square feet. This is an excellent and reliable company. (See also ‘Trade Suppliers' Here). Website http://www.hewit.com/

Hought Fine Art & Leather (Associated Site):- P.O. Box. 2115 McKinleyville, CA 95519, USA. Tel: 707-839-1164 / 1-800-839-1164. Fax: 1-707-839-1871. E-mail: hought@humboldt1.com. Contact: Gail Hought. Supplying specially prepared kangaroo hides suitable for cutting into braiding strips. (Can also be supplied ready cut in the form of kits for projects. (Ideal for beginners). (See also 'Trade Suppliers' Here). Website http://www.hought.com.

www.Italian-Fashion.It:- E-mail: leatherstocklot@yahoo.it. This company specializes in offering stock lots of leather and shoe components. This is constantly changing so a regular visit is recommended. Leather is available in lots, small pieces in large bags with large pieces and full skins by weight, strapped to pallets. (Pictures of a selection of prepared pallet loads are viewable on site). Note: It is not possible to purchase individual skins or hides. The shoe components also vary, but mainly refer to soles and again, purchase is by bulk. There is a large range of colours and types of leather in each batch, so it could be useful to colleges, schools and training establishments. Another option is for a group of amateur leather workers to share a pallet of leather. Prices are available from them. (See also 'Italian-Fashion It., C S Osborne & Co, 'Trade Suppliers' Here). Website http://www.italian-footwear.it