Bling My Leather

27/05/2026

21/05/2026

We are busy making. With only 6 weeks left before we will be at the Maleny winter markets. It is always a great little artisan market where you can find that something different and unique.

Come along, say hello and check out beautiful Maleny.
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The Winter countdown has started! 6 weeks to go. Mark it in your calendar, set a reminder and BYO friends and family. A wonderful collection of quality handmade & artisan products. Support local, support quality hand crafted goods and their makers. This yearly winter festival never disappoints!

Visit Sunshine Coast Hinterland Maleny Community Centre Maleny Commerce Sunshine Valley Gazette 🎉🎊👍💕🎁

14/05/2026

Just finished.

Cute little pen holders. These and some of my other leatherwork will be available at my stall July 3-5 at the

Maleny Handmade & Artisan Markets

11/05/2026

Dragon bag finished and ready to be posted to Sydney.

Made from full grain blue “Crazy Horse” leather imported directly from Italy with tan “Pueblo” Italian dragon.

Fully hand stitched and lined in a beautiful blue fabric.

31/03/2026

Sydney Royal Show:

This year I entered some leatherwork into Sydney Royal Easter Show for the first time. So happy to have my work displayed and achieve a highly commended and a 1st place against such high quality work from the other exhibts.

Shell Bag: High Distinction
Dog Armour: 1st Place.

Thank you to Silvia who forwarded me these photos last night from the Arts & Crafts Preview Night. Congratulations to the other exhibitors, there is seriously some amazing pieces there.

This Shell Bag is dedicated to the memory of my father who passed away in February while I was making it. The Dog Armour is dedicated to the memory of my best friend, Chelle who lost her battle with Cancer two days ago.

Thank you also to the Show sponsors, Staff at Sydney Royal and everyone else for making this all possible.

I will be at at the Maleny Handmade & Artisan Markets 3-5 July 2026. Where some of these pieces will be on display.

Maleny Handmade & Artisan Markets, Packer Leather Shop, East Coast Leather, Birdsall Leather

31/03/2026

Today we hold tribute to an amazing friend, show and travelling buddy.

Yesterday the world gained a new star. Raechelle Miller passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Diagnosed in January, it took everyone by surprise. Chelle fought a brave and dignified battle.

We had some great amazing trips around Queensland while she was chasing that Supreme Champion for "Gerry" which she obtained. A great mate who will be sorely missed.

Rest In Peace Chelle. I hope Gerry was there waiting for you at those gates to guide you through your next journey.

29/03/2026

Official photos from Toowoomba Royal.

It was a great two days up at Toowoomba Royals watching people loving "Shelly" and talking to people about the build.

A big thank you to Packer Leather Shop for the Champion - Packer Leather Trophy and to Lindsay for presenting me this trophy on Friday.

East Coast Leather for their sponsorship for the class at Toowoomba Royal.

Shelly - 1st and Grand Champion Leatherwork
Dog Harness - 3rd
Applique / Inlay Belt - 3rd.

Thank you to the other stewards, exhibitors for your entries. There was some lovely work there. You should all be proud of your work.

My work will also be on display and for sale at Maleny Handmade & Artisan Markets Come along and say hello 3 - 5 July, 2026. It is always a great weekend with great artisans.

29/03/2026

3D printers can be rather useful in leatherwork. With the help from a friend to redraw some pretty average drawings in CAD. We finally managed to print a stand to display the dog armour/harness.

24/03/2026

Leather Plaiting Results: Toowoomba Royal Show 2026

Results have just come in from the Toowoomba Royal Show where I had 3 entries in.

Class 16011: Open - Any Non plaited leather article. In this section I had entered "Shelly" and "Dog Armour".

Class 16012: Open Non-plaited decorative leather belt. I have won the non plaited decorative belt class the last two years running. This year I thought I would do something a little different and do an inlay AND an applique feature belt. The applique feature is blue ostritch leg leather.

Then at the bottom....... Totally shocked..... Champion Leather Work - Packer Leather - TRACIE THOMPSON!!!!

A Big thank you to Packer Leather Shop for their sponsorship, other sponsors of the event, judges and the other competitors. Congratulations to all the winners.

12/02/2026

On the weekend, I ventured out to Clifton Whipcracking and Whipplaiting championships, sponsored by Packer Leather.

"Shelly" came 1st in the "any other leather item" on the day.

Photos taken by Packer Leather. I even managed to get into the group winner photos.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CRMcsykMj/

06/02/2026

"Shelly" the Nautilus finally finished.

Bespoke hand crafted bag made from 100% natural vegatable tanned leather, fully hand dyed and hand stitched. Lined with cotton fabric.

Shelly has taken over 150 hours to prepare the pattern, cut the leather, bevel, sand burnish the edges, dye, seal, and stitch. The bag pattern didn't come with a lining, included in that 150 odd hours, includes designing a lining to custom fit in the bag neatly and stitch it in.