Hand Tooled Lion Adjustable Leather Guitar Strap

About Me and My Work:
My leather craft career began after I inherited leather craft tools from my father. When I was younger, I had the privilege of working with a group of blacksmiths that expressed such passion in their trade, that they shared it with anyone. The items these craftsmen made were made with such skill and beauty that they far surpassed manufactured products. These blacksmiths taught me how work from craftsmen that value their trade, create high quality pieces of art that are timeless. I enjoyed leather craft as a hobby as I went on to pursue a career in dog training. I worked my way up to training working dogs and discovered a need for high quality training products.

Sometime later, I interned at a museum and was able to view historical pieces that were made with such craftsmanship that they survived centuries later. I also had the privilege of meet various traditional craftsmen at the museum that carried not only the passion, skill, and knowledge of their trade, but imbued pieces of their traditions and culture in their products as well. This inspired me to take my leather craft hobby and turn it into something more…

Certain life experiences, have taught me that life is short, and that if you have a passion for something to pursue it. I aim to make products that are long-lasting, practical, and unique. I also aim to continue learning my trade, and to continue to pass down some of the knowledge and traditions that I have been so fortunate to have experienced.

I strive to keep craftsmanship going. I am Lauren Gosciminski, founder of The Leather Smithy.