Biography

Coming originally from a background in medieval languages and archaeology, Andy has practised traditional English leatherwork for around twenty-five years. Over this time he has fulfilled innumerable commissions, including one for the Turner Prize-winning potter Grayson Perry, and has exhibited pieces in Durham Art Gallery and the Balman Gallery in Corbridge.
Andy has also taught leatherwork at Walsall Leather Museum, at Cleveland College of Art and Design and at numerous other institutions and schools. He continues to teach on a monthly basis in Hexham.
Drawing on his archaeological background, Andy has made historical replicas for many collectors and organisations including the Discovery Channel’s ‘The Bone Detective' series (see links) for which he reconstructed early medieval armour. He himself appeared in the Bamburgh Castle episode where he demonstrated the use of medieval weapons against the armour.
Andy has also put his own work seriously to the test. In 2000 he lived for two weeks as a Neolithic man whilst wearing authentic leather clothing and using artefacts which he made himself. This took place during the coldest and wettest April on record for the UK. He survived!
If you have any questions at all about what we do or about any aspect of the craft of leatherwork, do contact us. We’ll be happy to help!