I just got back my run down Red Wings 9051 Boots / Beckwings from Ingo Keller aka. Schuhgott for a resole. I have to say they came back far better than how they were, even when new. Just look at the finish of the heel. He recreated the heel and put a Daimite sole on them. Excellent job Ingo, highly recommended craftsman.
Here a the film I did with LEHN.STEIN GmbH Koblenz . Thanks Pete Schilling – Motionmedia Films and Philip Bruederle, it was a pleasure to work/film with you.
I was able to finally try the brand new Distillate by Eugen Schmidt Söhne and decided I had to have a bottle of this fine one afterwards. It is made out of various full grains from the south german region, a special “soft” water and great distillery skills to bring out a taste of grain, flour, bread “into the bottle”. With it´s 40% alcohol it´s still a soft and mild spirit absolutely worth a try and beyond comparison to the typical german “Korn”. Check out the website which will show more info soon: http://www.voll-korn.de
Quite for some month I´ve been designing and redesigning this bucket bag in my head. Last week I finally hand sew the “Gloria” for my sister Gloria after we discussed her requirements. A magazine (about DIN A4) should definitely fit in and I extended the size even a bit to store a 13 inch Macbook inside. A bespoke leatherpatch with one of her favorite slogans “no guts no glory” makes the bag even more unique. The bag is still at my leather workshop but it will get handed over to her tomorrow. The bag was completely sewn by hand and saddle stitched with two needles so it´s really handmade (not “handmade” by operating a sewing machine with the hands). The Leather is probably the most eco friendly certified leather you can buy in Germany/Europe. The tannery is located in the south of Germany and the hides are from cows from the alpine region close by as well. For me it´s an important thing to support the local tanneries and craftsmen as i hope my clients do as well. The size of the bag is approx. 35 x 25 x 15 cm. Inquiries about the bucket bag via my website.
Probably the first time I came saw the first natural indigo dyed scarf was at “The Low Show” in Amsterdam about half a year ago. Since then I regretted to not have been able to obtain one. By luck I found Kiat from Indigopeople and his natural indigo dyed scarfs. I contacted him and he was kind enough to sent me the Otobe and the Abira scarf be-cause i was not really sure which one I like more. Honestly I still don´t know. Both are really nice masterpieces with a “basic” traditional ikat pattern made by a master artisan. While the Otobe is a much bigger an thicker scarf, the Abira is of a thinner material. So actually both have a bit of their “advantages” regarding the style you plan to wear them or the season. I will probably have a bit of a hard time to decide which one will be my favorite one. Thanks Kiat for the great and quick service and I´m really looking forward how the scarf will look like, after it´s worn for a while to develop it´s unique look.
This week I got a visit at my workshop from the Photographer Mia Feline – Goldenfox.
She spent a day with me and Tillmann to capture me working (an Tillmann waiting to finally going to play Frisbee) on various products eg. a Clutch Bag, a Tote Bag, a Belt and a leather covered Flask. Im very happy with the results and for sure this will not be the last time we work with Mia and Goldenfox.
Recently a friend of mine sent me this beauty. For me this Yugoslavian Army leather belts are monuments. The leather they used and the way they saddle stitched and how, is a lecture. Its a mass produced piece a leather craftsman or a collector should take time to examine and try to understand why they did it that way. After some decades of use and storage the linen thread just broke. So I dissembled the belt to its parts, treated the leather with neat food oil to condition it, and saddle stitched it. To give the 18/5 Barbour linen thread an more vintage look fitting the belt, I soaked it in blacktea before I put the beeswax on it.
A fine example how classic and durable design, crafted the right way and using the right materials can last decades. Such a piece is definitely worth the effort to expand its lifetime.
One of my favorite highlights 2014 and I finally closed one gap in my wardrobe. The Ceccarelli waxed cotton and down coat with a hood called Style 7005. My pea coat by Armor Lux was never warm enough when it´s really cold. A Barbor Jacket can be worn with a thick woolen Pullover but I rarely do this. Most down jackets are made from some kind of Nylon, close to a fire or a cigarette and you got a hole in it – nevertheless you look like a Micheline figure.
So when I saw this Jacket at the Amtraq Distribution PortfolioI knew I have to have it. It is made of high class thick waxed cotton, goose down (90/10) YKK heavy duty brass zippers and superb constructed and crafted and with well thought of details. See the leather reenforced buttons or the pull cord with the leather stopper and particularly the “cosy” lined pockets and cuffs.
It´s not a jacket its a coat about 3/4 so its even good to wear when cycling. No kidneys or back is exposed and gets cold. So from my side a great brand which definitely should get your attention and Amtraq Distributed Stockists are already being delivered with Manifattura Ceccarelli goods.
A last comment to this jackets and goods produced by M.C.
They might look familiar to you be-cause M.C, designed and produced for Filson Europe for more than 10 years and is also producing for Pendelton.
It all started by borrowing my flask to friends who went on a hiking trip without a good spirit – I could not join them this time, but gave them my well filled flask. (Which I still haven´t got back!)
In the need to get a replacement quick, I did some research, but could not find anything really appealing to me. So I had the Idea to cover a standard stainless steel flask with some of my veg. tanned leather. I customize them with the initials and sew them by hand, orders can be placed, but I got already a lot to craft before christmas.
Me and Maria (Alexander von Bronewski Manufaktur & Feinschmuck ) went for our annual Indian Summer Bivouac up the hill for less than 24 hours – offline. A great time to exercise, being outdoors, collecting the thoughts, getting inspired, watching shootingstars, drinking some good redwine, roasting some sausages, watching a fire burn, watching deer, eating blueberries, making good coffee, trying to name the surrounding mountains and exploring new paths – priceless!
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