R Morris Saddler

Ladies!- ever wondered what to do with those Chifney bits?? 👇😉
I love to repurpose leather and fittings into other projects where requested or appropriate but iv not thought of this one before 😅. I think Tina rocked it pretty well!!

Come see me at Bishop Wilton Show this year on the 18th July, you will find me in the Craft Village

This year at the Show we’re focusing even more on local crafts, trades and skills. Bringing some local artisans and makers to display and demonstrate their talents for you to enjoy

An urgent repair had to be carried out this evening. After realising the stitching on my son's relatively new school shoes had gone 😳. It's a good job I keep a spare pair of clams, needles and thread at home 😅, there's always a job!

Today is World Leather Day !

As i have recently gained some new followers (thankyou- it's much appreciated! 😊) i thought id reintroduce myself and a bit of background.

As soon as I left school I went to London to start my training as a saddler- building saddles, bridle work and harness. I was trained traditionally- hand cutting, handstitching etc. I then went onto to Sailsbury and Somerset to learn more specialised areas of harness that my previous training didn't cover.
I established R Morris Saddler in 2007 and my focus is still very much on the traditional skills on the whole.
I use English leather and English cast metalwork.
Equestrian work- bespoke new items and repairs is my main work but i also undertake a wide range of leather goods repairs & new- you can always ask! 😅.
I grew up with my parents breeding horses & cattle. I have two of my own ponies, who are spending most of thier time in semi-retirement😅 as I have four young children taking most of my time at the moment.
Thankyou for reading and supporting my small business- please feel free to share my page🙂.
- Rowena 🪡 🧵

So no it's not leather... but what better to make when your a 'maker' and don't have any leather handy 🤣 😋😋 time to put the kettle on and give it a try😋! Happy Easter everyone 🐣 🐇 🐰 🥚 and post to keep the algorithm happy!😅

CONDER TOKENS/HALFPENNY TOKENS

As some of you know i do love a good vintage saddlery or harness related find.

These two Conder tokens also known as Halfpenny tokens were privately minted during a period of coin shortages to serve as small change and also doubled as a form of advertising. The demand was also fuelled by other factors such as the industrial revolution and population growth. The government made little effort to rectify the shortage, leading small business and merchants to take matters into thier own hands.
The first tokens of this type were issued in 1787 to pay the Parys Mine Company workers. By 1795 Millions of tokens of various designs were in common use throughout Britain.

The two example i have- one is from 1797 Middlesex Palmer Mail Coach halfpenny token.
The text reads "TO J. PALMER THIS IS INSCRIBED AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE FOR BENEFITS RECED FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MAIL COACHES".

The second reads "KELLYS LIGHT HARNESS & CO, SOLD CHEAP AT THEIR MANUFACTORY STRAND LONDON".

Today is Made In The Uk Day
A day to recognise and celebrate that in Britain we have some fantastic makers and designers whether their business is big or small.
As a small business, in a trade surround by history and tradition it is important to keep supporting those British manufacturers- such as British Tanneries and British Metal Casting Foundries, that have been supplying us for many many years and before our time to continue to supply us into the future.
KEEP BRITIAN MAKING ! ❤️