Summer Card Holder Available Now

It's always fun to put out new pieces. Today I finished up a batch of the Summer Card Holder, a piece that I've been getting a ton of mail about. I got a hide last week that was perfect weight and temper, so I made up a batch and added them to the store. They're $46, hand sewn, and nice and slim- about 1/4"- so they're perfect for shorts or nights on the beach when you won't need a whole bunch of cards and bulk. Available in the Store now!

Big Bags and Gilby update

First coming in as a custom order, I'm happy to say that Corter Leather now offers the Carrier bag for sale. The true repro measures approx. 16x11x5, modeled after a vintage (pre 1960) postal bag. The bag can be sized custom for anyone's needs (the original is pretty big, I think a nice 14x10 would be nice for an every day case). It's completely stitched by hand out of 5 oz natural vegetable tanned leather. This design has about 20 hand set rivets, including a reinforced bottom, and a 1 1/4" hand cut shoulder strap with pad and adjustable buckle. Each bag ill be made to order. Prices start around $300 for small models and head up to around $500 for the above size- email CorterLeather@gmail.com for details. 

Gilby Update #2

Emails keep rolling in on asking how to donate for Gilby. Fortunately, through the sale and hammering through a bunch of custom orders the past two weeks, his bills are all paid and so is our rent here at the bedroom/workshop for September, so we're close to being back to normal. I've got about 10 more orders to ship out and everything will be sent out from the sale last week as well. Thank you all! 

Gilby is very much back to his normal self and actually more active than before the episode. He seems to be enjoying his newfound balance, and has been exploring my mom's house as I'm currently visiting for a few days. He's shown no signs of a relapse, and though his medicine has made him pretty sick he's feeling better the past couple days. He'll be staying with my mom for a while I head up to the Cape for a week, then we'll be between here and the White Mountains for a little while, all while working! I love traveling, especially in New England with a tool box and a roll of leather.

An Update

Gilby on the workbench, around 9:30 am this morning. 

The past 48 hours have been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. When I posted that blog entry about Gilby, I did it with a heavy heart- I've got the best, most patient and understanding customers in the world, and the last thing I want to do is burden them with personal problems. Asking for help in any way, for any problem, takes a toll on pride. However, sometimes you have to use whatever outlet you have available in times of need, and I feel like the luckiest person on the planet to have been able to hold this sale for Gilby. 

Emails started rolling in by the dozens as the message got out. People were reblogging, retweeting, and posting with such frequency that I had to turn my phone to silent because of all the mobile alerts I was getting from different outlets.  Folks from around the world were sending in donations and asking for nothing in return but the wellness of Gilby. They sent tales of similar happenings, and shared their understanding in loving their own pets like family. The thing I was most blown away by was the support for not only my cat, but for me. Lots of the people I talked to offered words of wisdom, commending my choice to stick with a dying art form and do what I love. Sometimes it means stretching yourself thin financially to make everything in life work- but they understood. A lot of people reminded me you can't take money with you when you go, and that they were happy to help. 

I ended up selling out of my current bracelet stock in 90 minutes, and belt stock in 4 hours. I watched as people spread the word to thousands of followers and readers, proving that this global internet community is more than just words on a screen. Through sales and a few amazing donations, Gilby's current care is almost completely covered. I've turned off the donation button, but the 25% off sale will be continuing through the week with code "Gilby". I have a lot of work ahead of me, and I'll get it all done with  smile on my face and a healthy, albeit a bit tipsy, cat on my shoulders. 

As far as Gilby's actual health is concerned, we're in a bit of a bittersweet stage. He's home and eating, taking his medicine, and drinking plenty of water. However, the doctors could not find any specific problem. He's being treated for an inner ear infection, but this could very well happen again. If it does, he'll have to go in for the big time tests like CT scans and MRI's. As you can see in the picture above, he's acting like any of us would after loosing all body control for 24 hours- he's cautious, quiet, and on edge. He's still regaining control, tipping over a little bit, but he's showing improvement. He's trying to sleep, but most of the time finds comfort in hanging around close to people, observing, resting, and calming down. 

Ultimately, I'm really at a loss for words concerning the support we've received. I can't thank you all enough, and am humbled by the events of the last two days. I hope everyone that sent in a sale order enjoys their products in full health and happiness, and I'm sure that Gilby would like to thank everyone for supporting him as well. I'd also like to personally thank everyone for supporting independent artisans, handmade goods, and Corter Leather. 

Saving Gilby

I'm coming to everyone for support in a desperate time of need. I've been in the animal hospital for 8 hours today with my oldest cat, Gilby. Though he's only 18 months old, he suffered some sort of neurological breakdown early this morning that took away all of his body control, leaving him unable to stand, focus, or even move to a comfortable position- and in a lot of confusion and pain. He was rushed to the MSPCA Animal Hospital in Jamaica Plain, MA, for emergency care by myself and my amazing roomate Cris, who dropped everything to help. 

He's being kept there tonight because I can't take care of him myself- the doctors don't know whats wrong and have him stabilized, but there has been no change in his health and he is still unable to stand or keep balance. He needs to see a neurological specialist and have a ton of tests done. Since he's considered an "exotic breed", the care is a bit different and careful than a normal cat. While I don't know what's wrong, and I pray that he'll be fine, I do know that the cost has already exceeded my savings (even that of my Barter Project project). Gilby has been on my shoulder for many of the wallets I've made in the past year, and he's very much an inspiration for Corter Leather. 

I've received an outpouring of thoughts and prayers in just the last 10 minutes from being home, asking if there are ways to help. I've set up a Paypal donation button below, which has no set monetary value. The sale is simple: anything helps. Hit the button, which will accept paypal and the credit cards shown below it. I'm offering Natural Utility Belts and Bracelets, and if you'd like one -or multiples- of either, just put your order in the "Purpose" section along with your address and it will be sent out within a couple weeks. If it's too long, email me with your order and address. I'd request that donations are made at $30 or more per belt, and $10 or more per bracelet. However, you all are the best customers anyone could ever ask for, so any more or less will absolutely be accepted for a belt or bracelet, and very much appreciated. Any money raised from these sales that goes past Gilby's medical bills will be donated back to the MSPCA, as they've been nothing but amazing to us. 

I've also added 8 new wallets from back stock to the store, including lots of wallets with grain bag inlays from the 20's and 30's. If you'd like anything from the store you can use the code "Gilby" for 25% off.

I completely understand being dead broke, so if you don't want to grab a belt or bracelet, a simple Tweet, blog mention, or forum post to raise awareness and spread the word would be wonderfully appreciated. Right now, no news is good news from the Hospital. I'll know more tomorrow, and hopefully Gilby will be home safe soon. 

Used Gallery: 2 Years

I made my mom this wallet for mother's day 2008 (purple's her favorite color). 

Now, over 2 years later, I finally got some time to snap a couple pictures of it. This piece is interesting becauseunlike most wallets I make, it doesn't get kept in a pocket. She carries it with her either in her hands,bag, or briefcase. This is what it looks like now.

The brightness of the purple has died down, and is now a deep, shiny plumb color. I love the character that the shell shows, yet there's not a single broken stitch, snag, tear, or serious scuff. I'm very happy to see this piece holding strong.