Top Places to Get Leather Craft Supplies for Your Business

Oct 25, 2024

Leather is a classic material known for its versatility and durability, making it an excellent option for various craft projects. Whether you’re creating clothing or furniture, leather serves as a fantastic medium. Whether you’re a beginner in the leather crafting business or have years of experience, here are 10 of the top places to find your leather craft supplies. Let’s dive in!

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The leather industry was valued at $39.6 billion and is projected to reach $52.5 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.6%. The demand for luxury goods and accessories is fueling the global leather market, prompting fabric manufacturers to keep up with the trend.

Researching where to shop for leather supplies can be tedious and time-consuming, so here are the top 10 online store options where you can find all your crafting needs.

Arguably the biggest online retailer in the world, Amazon offers an extensive selection of leather crafting supplies.

Etsy is an excellent source of handmade leather goods and supplies, with a plethora of vendors offering unique items.

eBay’s online marketplace is filled with leather craft supplies at all budget levels, including bulk items and rare finds.

Joann’s is a great spot to find leather supplies for beginner and professional craftsmen alike. Their selection includes items such as hides, tools, hardware, and more.

Michaels is a great option for those looking for leather craft supplies, with everything from tools and hardware to hides and accessories.

Weaver Leather began as a small shoe shop, eventually growing into an elite manufacturer and distributor of quality leather and nylon products.

Rocky Mountain Leather Supply in Sandy, Utah provides wholesale discounts on all leather and tools. Discounts for leather depend on the number of full hides purchased, and tool discounts are available for multiples of a single product and size.

Tandy Leather is the go-to source for leather craft supplies and offers a wide selection of tools, hardware, hides, and more.

Leather Craft Tools ships leathercraft supplies worldwide, caters to beginners and experts, and prioritizes customer satisfaction.

Hobby Lobby provides an extensive range of leather craft supplies, ideal for beginners. Additionally, they host weekly sales and discounts, making it an excellent destination to discover the right item at a reasonable price.

When embarking on a new leather crafting project, it’s crucial to have the right supplies to ensure success and satisfy your customers. Here are some essential leather craft supplies to consider:

Full-grain leather is the highest quality leather, characterized by its natural surface without being sanded or buffed. It retains the original texture and markings of the animal’s skin, making each piece unique. This type of leather is known for its durability and ability to develop a patina over time. It is often used in high-quality furniture, luggage, and footwear.

Top-grain leather is similar to full-grain but has been sanded and refinished to remove imperfections. It’s thinner and more pliable than full-grain leather, making it easier to work with for certain applications. Top-grain leather is widely used in making high-end leather goods like handbags, wallets, and jackets.

Split leather is derived from the lower layers of the hide that are separated from the top-grain layer. It is generally less durable and more affordable than both full-grain and top-grain leather. This type of leather is frequently utilized in the production of suede, which is popular for its soft texture and is commonly found in clothing, shoes, and upholstery.

Bonded leather is created by combining scraps and fibers of genuine leather with adhesives, followed by a polyurethane coating. This type of leather is the most affordable but also the least durable. It is commonly utilized in bookbinding and for cost-effective furniture options.

Nubuck leather is top-grain leather that has been sanded or buffed on the grain side to create a velvety surface. It’s similar to suede but is more durable and thicker. Nubuck is commonly used in making high-end products like shoes, bags, and jackets.

Patent leather is a type of coated leather that has a very glossy, shiny finish. The coating process involves applying a lacquer or varnish. Patent leather is used in fashion accessories like shoes, handbags, and belts, adding a luxurious and elegant touch.

Vegetable-tanned leather is tanned using tannins extracted from vegetable matter, such as tree bark. It is known for its natural and earthy appearance and is more environmentally friendly than chrome-tanned leather. Veg-tanned leather is ideal for tooling and carving, making it popular for custom leather goods like belts, saddles, and holsters.

Chrome-tanned leather is tanned using chromium salts, which makes it softer and more flexible than veg-tanned leather. It can be produced more quickly and is available in a wide range of colors. This leather is commonly used for making jackets, bags, and upholstery.

Rivets and studs are metal fasteners that can be added to leather for both functional and decorative purposes. Rivets are typically used to join two pieces of leather together, adding strength to the craft, while studs are used to add a decorative element. They come in various shapes, sizes, and finishes, allowing for a range of creative designs in products like bags, belts, and jackets.

Leather dyes and paints are essential for adding color to leather crafts. Dyes penetrate the leather for a more natural finish, while paints remain on the surface, offering a bolder and more diverse spectrum of colors. These products are frequently employed in artistic leatherwork to produce unique patterns and designs or to rejuvenate the color of aged leather items.

Edge coating and burnishing agents are used to finish the edges of leather items, giving them a smooth, polished appearance. Burnishing involves rubbing the edges with a tool to create friction and heat, which seals the fibers. Edge coatings are applied as a liquid, which dries to form a smooth, protective finish, enhancing both the appearance and durability of items like wallets and belts.

Thread and lacing are essential in leather crafting for stitching pieces together. Leathercraft thread is usually thicker and more durable than regular sewing thread, suitable for the tough texture of leather. Lacing techniques can also add a decorative touch, with various colors and styles available to complement different leather projects.

Buckles and clasps serve both functional and aesthetic roles in leather crafting. They are commonly used in making belts, bags, and leather bracelets. Available in various designs and finishes, they can be chosen to match the style and purpose of the leather item, ranging from simple and understated to ornate and decorative.

Grommets and eyelets are metal rings inserted into holes in the leather. They reinforce the hole and prevent tearing, especially in areas of strain. They are often used in leather items like shoes, belts, and bags where laces or straps pass through the leather, adding both durability and a decorative element.

Leather conditioners and sealants are used to protect finished leather crafts. Conditioners keep the leather supple and prevent it from drying out and cracking, while sealants provide a protective layer on the surface, safeguarding against moisture, dirt, and wear. These products are essential for maintaining the longevity and appearance of leather items like jackets, bags, and furniture.

Leather crafting tools are essential for anyone looking to start a leather crafting business. From needles to hole punches, each tool serves a unique purpose. Here are six categories of tools to consider when setting up your leather crafting business:

Leather needles come in various sizes and shapes, each suited to a specific task. For example, harness needles are ideal for sewing thick leather, while glover’s needles work best on softer, thinner leather.

Leather knives come in different shapes, such as the swivel knife, which is used for carving and detailed work.

Rotary cutters offer a quick, clean cut on straight lines. This tool is generally used on a cutting mat and is especially useful on thinner pieces of leather.

Scissors are used for smaller, more intricate cuts. The choice of cutting tool often depends on the thickness and type of leather as well as the precision required.

Pricking irons and chisels are used to mark and create stitching holes in leather. They come in various tooth configurations, allowing for different stitch lengths and styles. Pricking irons are generally used to mark the stitch line, while chisels are used to actually punch through the leather, especially for thicker materials.

Mallets and hammers are used in leather crafting to strike other tools without damaging them. A mallet, usually made of wood or rawhide, is used for tasks like stamping, tooling, and setting rivets. Hammers, often with a heavier metal head, are used for flattening and shaping leather.

An edge beveler is a tool used to round off the edges of leather, giving the finished product a more polished look. It removes a small strip of leather from the edge, creating a beveled appearance. This not only enhances the aesthetics but also makes the edges more comfortable to handle, especially in items like belts and straps.

An awl is a pointed tool used for marking and piercing leather. It’s particularly useful for making precise holes for stitching, especially in thick leather that can’t be easily pierced with a needle. Awls come in various shapes, including straight and curved, each suited for different types of work.

Burnishing tools are used to smooth and finish the edges of leather items. They can be made of wood, bone, or plastic and are used to rub the edges of the leather briskly. This process heats and compresses the leather fibers, resulting in a smooth, rounded edge.

Carving tools are used for adding decorative patterns and designs to leather. Stamping tools imprint various textures and patterns, while carving tools allow for more detailed and intricate work. These tools are often used in conjunction with a swivel knife for outlining designs.

A ruler and square are essential for measuring and ensuring straight cuts and alignments in leather crafting. They are used to mark out dimensions and cut lines, ensuring accuracy and consistency in the final product.

Hole punches are available in various sizes and shapes, allowing you to create holes with different diameters. They are perfect for making holes for stitching or for attaching hardware like rivets.

Stamping tools are used to emboss designs onto leather. They come in different sizes and shapes, and the choice depends on the desired design and level of detail.

Leather crafting involves using a variety of specialized tools to achieve precision, durability, and visual appeal in the final products. Some tools are deemed essential for both novice and seasoned leatherworkers. Below is an expanded list of the key leather crafting tools:

These tools are fundamental in leather crafting for various reasons:

These tools are essential to leather crafting, enabling artisans to create high-quality, durable, and visually appealing leather products. Mastery of these tools is vital for anyone who is serious about leatherwork, whether their focus is on practical applications or decorative designs.

The amount of money a leather crafter can make varies depending on factors such as skill level, niche, and market demand. Successful leather crafters can make a full-time income, with some earning upwards of six figures.

Leather crafting requires practice, patience, and attention to detail, but it is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby or business. With the right tools and guidance, anyone can learn to create beautiful leather items.

The best place to find wholesale leather craft supplies is through reputable suppliers and distributors who specialize in leather crafting materials. Online marketplaces, trade shows, and local craft stores can also be great sources for wholesale leather craft supplies.

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Image: Envato Elements