Footnotes from Barefoot Leather

I’m Ray Hatley, artisan leatherworker, designer, photographer, copywriter, coffee maker, dish washer and ultimately responsible for anything and everything that happens, gets made or goes wrong at Barefoot Leather.

This is Molly Brown. Border Terrier, ruffian and guard dog. Molly is generally responsible for mayhem, mischief and mouse watching (and occasionally very small slightly nibbled pieces of leather that we probably shouldn't mention because she promised it wouldn't happen again…).

Let the blogging begin!

Origins

Posted by Ray Hatley on Jun 11, 2017 .

My name is Ray Hatley and I'm originally from the South Coast of the UK. A rather quaint little place called Seaford, a small coastal town near Brighton. I grew up boating, fishing, surfing and doing the things all coastal kids enjoy. It was also a great place to start my first leather business. My early fascination with leatherworking became a lifelong love affair. It hasn't been easy and I've lost my way a few times; but right now I'm happy in my workshop every day and I can't imagine wanting more from life.

No other job will have you making a naval sword scabbard for a museum one minute and the 'costume' for a naughty...