About Us
The Columbine Leather Guild strives to foster imagination and creativity in leather crafters to create beautiful art and artifacts. Whether you’re coming in to spend a few hours or to truly exploit your talent, you’ll find a blank canvas awaiting you where the world is your oyster. Our members are always willing to exchange ideas, share knowledge and experience new frontiers in leathercraft. The Columbine Leather Guild was establish in 1992. It is a non-profit organization and a member of a larger organization called the International Federation of Leather Guilds (IFoLG).
Our Mission
The Columbine Leather Guild, Inc. was founded in 1992 for the purpose of giving leather artisans an opportunity to meet to show their skills in leather craft or art and to demonstrate new techniques, rediscover lost or old techniques, and to socialize with others having similar interests. All leather crafters or leather artisans are welcome, regardless of the type of leather work they prefer.
Contact Us
Robert Srader - President
720-600-8392
Monthly Meetings are held at the Hatzis Hall.
952 Moss Street - Golden, CO 80401
The 2nd Sunday of every month 1pm to 4 pm - See map below
Resources
Other Resources
Leather Craft General Supplies
- Tandy Leather 888-291-0024 Denver, CO
https://www.tandyleather.com/en/
- Weaver Leathercraft 800-430-6278 Mt.Hope, Ohio
https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/
- Montana Leather 406-245-1660 Billings, MT
- Springfield Leather Company 800-668-8518 Springfield, MO
https://www.springfieldleather.com/
- Maker's Leather Supply 254-300-1881 Elm Mott, TX
https://makersleathersupply.com/
- Buyleatheronline Leather from Italy Call (+39)0571 499345
Leather Craft
Tool Suppliers
- Barry King Leather Tools. 307-672-5657 Sheridan, WY.
http://www.barrykingtools.com/
- Bob Beard Pro Series Tools. 505-632-7039 Farmington, NM.
http://robertbeardtools.scalabledata.com/catalog.html
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Saddlery
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Newsletters
Board of Directors
President – Robert Srader
720-600-8392
Vice President – Mick Muller
Treasurer – Alice Selby
Acting Secretary – Robert Srader
Board Member – Todd Litton
Board Member – Rebecca Lucy
Board Member – Olivia Maruoka
Meeting Dates
2022 Meeting Dates
January 9th
February 13th
March 13th
April 10th
May 8th (Mother's Day)
June 12th
July 10th
August 14th
September 11th
October 9th
November 13th
December 11th
Send Us Questions
Upcoming Meeting Information
January 9th 2022 and February 13th 2022
Making a leather carry case based on an Al Stohlman pattern
Members will make a carry case to carry your leather tools to Guild meetings or for whatever purpose suites your needs.
Please bring the following tools if you have them:
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Stylus for tracing the pattern onto leather (a ballpoint pen can be used as a stylus substitute).
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Ruler or straight-edge
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Cutting Mat or Cutting board
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Craft knife
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Swivel Knife
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Stitching Groover, Stitching Wheel or Stitching Chisels/Pricking Irons
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Adjustable V-Gouge tool for folding the handle
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Hole punch, Edge Beveler, Edge Slicker, Bone Folder, Stitching Awl
There will be tools available from the list above to use during the meeting as needed. The leather will be provided and there will be Craft-Aids available with tooling designs.
Projects can be tooled with any pattern you wish.
Meet Some of Our Members
At the Columbine Leather Guild, we love having the opportunity to mentor artists and helping them succeed. The Columbine Leather Guild wants to share the members experience and knowledge, and help you stand out like the star you truly are. We’re proud of everything we do and the work our members have created, and invite you to take a look for yourself and join us.
Kathy Flanagan
Guild Member Kathy Flanagan was the 2016 Stohlman Award. Spending most of her life in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Kathy has aspired to become one of our craft’s youngest Masters. Kathy received her certification at the 2005 IFoLG Annual Show and Competition. Her work has been displayed in the Al Stohlman Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. In a word, her work can be described as ‘gorgeous’. Her design lay-out and engraving can be defined as refreshing, her landscapes and animal figures take on the envied ‘life-like presence’. Not only does Kathy ‘push the envelope’ regarding her personal schedule, she will inspire you to a much higher level of spirit and energy. You will enjoy every second with Kathy. Her skill and demeanor will captivate your ability to go further than you have ever hoped.
Chris "Slickbald" Andre
An Extraordinary One-of-a-Kind World Celebrated Craftsman
Slickbald specializes in uniquely carved, museum quality gun leather for the Single Action Army, the 1911, and special knives. Special and unique guns welcome!
Slick also works with interior designers and custom car and bike builders making panels for cabinet doors, stair risers, automotive dash and seat inserts, and custom bags. Slickbald is an active competitor in the Single Action Shooting Society and Cowboy Fast Draw and makes rigs specifically for these competitions. Have your leather dreams made a reality!
Bob Beard
Robert Beard was presented With Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous International Federation of Leather Guilds (IFoLG) 2013 hosted by the Columbine Leather Guild.
He has no geographical boundaries and is indeed an international leather craftsman practitioner and tool maker.
‘Kick in your vision’ and let your "Pro Series" tools do the work with this Al Stolhman Award Recipient, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, and an IFoLG Hall of Fame Inductee. Let the skills, knowledge, and craftsmanship of Bob Beard guide the way for an extraordinary Experience in Leather.
Pete Gorrell
He was born in 1931 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The family moved a few times but his live was always around horses even when traveling around the world. He moved to Colorado with his wife Helen, in part to be closer to their two daughters and grandchildren, but also to established a ranch with an indoor arena with a saddle shop combined. They are now living in Hawaii where he is involved in the making of traditional Hawaiian Paniolo saddles. Pete trained a large longhorn steer called Rosco, to pull a cart, because he thought is was pretty entertaining. Mr Gorrell has published books and won countless awards including the 2007 Al Stohlman Award. One day I will publish his entire story. He is a humble and wonderful man. Thanks Pete !
Steve Turner
I live in the south east of the UK. and have been doing leatherwork since the early 90s. I joined the guild a few years later after a phone call to Jess Johnson. Through Jess I also met Vern True, Sonny Hallet, Blain Bay. All now sadly gone. I am still in touch occasionally with Len Rothwell and look forward to my news letters from the Guild to see what is going on over there.
Regards Steve Turner
Phil Keller
Phil Keller started carving leather with a Lucky 7 Kit at age 7. He comes from a ranch in the sand hills of Nebraska where he tooled belts and billfolds during high school. After college, Air Force, and retiring as a Mechanical Engineer, leather and fly fishing have become his passions of choice. He is a long time member of the Columbine Leather Guild and North East Director for the Colorado Saddle Makers Association. He recently received 1st place in the Advanced George Hurst Carving competition.
Len Rothfeld
Len began tooling leather in 1993 and joined the guild in 1995. He was elected treasurer in 1999 and was guild president from 2003 to 2007. In 2000, Len and Sonny Hallett started weekly beginner’s classes on behalf of the guild at the Leather Factory store in Denver (later TandyLF). Len taught weekly at TandyLF through 2014. In that same time period, Len added to his skills by studying landscape carving and coloring with Bill Gomer. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 IFoLG meeting, and co-chaired the 2013 IFoLG show that the guild hosted in Denver.
International Federation of Leather Guilds 2019
Congratulation to all of our participants
Winning Entries
Phil Keller - Advanced Category
Olivia Maruoka-Srader
1st Place - Open Category
International Federation of Leather Guilds 2018
Congratulation to all of our participants
Robert Srader
Open Category - 2nd Place
Kissing Cardinals
Olivia Maruoka
Beginners Category - 1st Place
Roses and Vase
Phil Keller
Advanced Category - 1st Place
Luggage Tag
Phil Keller
Advanced Category - 1st Place
Notebook
Phil Keller
Phil also presented the following in the advanced category:
* Bridle (horse gear) - 2nd Place.
* Spur Strap
* Roper Wallet
* Belt - Carved - 3rd Place
Phil Keller
Advanced Category 3rd Place
Business Card Case
In-Person Meetings require vaccination until further notice due to COVID-19
Due to the corona virus pandemic we had to cancel in-person meetings starting in March 2020.
Starting in 2021 we resumed meeting in-person with the requirement that attendees are fully vaccinated. Keep Safe and Healthy.
Happy Leather Tooling
Carry Case Class
January - February 2022
This project will begin in January with cutting out the pieces and tooling a pattern on the sides of the carry case.
In February we will complete the project by hand sewing the carry case sides to the gusset and stiffening the handles.
Past Meeting Topics
Embossing with Leather Plugs
Tooling a fleur-de-lis with Common Leather Stamping Tools
Basic Use of
Leather Tools
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Hand Stitching
Saddle Stitching
The Stitching class was interactive and very fruitful. We got the kinks out of the stitching myth. Thanks to all that were involved.
Double Loop Lacing Class
By Chris Coe
Sharpening and Polishing Leather Craft Tools Class
By Mick Muller - January 13th 2019
Holiday Ornaments Class
By Kay Orton
The class was fun and informative. We learned how to work with splits, how to cut and color them and how to add character to a simple creation. These are some pictures of the class and of the ornaments in progress ...
Photo Gallery
Binocular Case by Phil Keller
Fish Motif Case by Phil Keller
Black Leather Vest by Phil Keller
Stirrup Lamp by Phil Keller
Half Size Saddle by Phil Keller
Paniolo Saddle by Pete Gorrell
2007 Al Stohlman Award Pete Gorrell
Notebooks by Pete Gorrell
His Saddle by Pete Gorrell
Engagement Ring Box for Helen by Pete Gorrell
Pete and Helen Gorrell at his saddle shop
Belt by Steve Turner
Belt by Steve Turner
Wallet by Steve Turner
Rope by Steve Turner
Mike Button
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