Halfway to Heaven Leathersmith

09/13/2026

A million thanks to the Black River Improvement Committee for organizing this year's Block Party - we had a blast! Another million thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello and talk a little leather. I will be reaching out in the next day or so to all who left their contact info for custom work just to talk over some details so that I can complete a customer work quote for each request. Stay tuned - there is going to be some cool stuff coming off the bench in the near future! 🤎

09/11/2026

I am preparing for the Black River Connect the Blocks Party this Saturday the 12th from 12-7pm at Maple Street Park here in Black River - it’s going to be a BLAST! It’s been a very busy summer of custom work, so instead of a traditional vendor’s table, I am going to have an info table with lots of examples of my work, custom work interest forms, videos from some past builds and a raffle! Stop by to say hello and enter to win a one of a kind chrome tanned pull-up cowhide and moose leather motorcycle tool bag! You’ll also have a second chance to win some HTH leather when you visit the Village of Black River welcome table and enter to win a prize basket of items from many local vendors! That prize basket will include another one of a kind piece - a blush pink Saffino leather tote purse! There’s going to be lots for everyone at the Block Party. I can’t wait to see you there!

08/31/2026

****END OF SUMMER SALE**** Use code EOSS on the website for 20% off tons of our inventory! If you have been eyeing something for Christmas..now is the time!!

08/25/2026

Tad bit of radio silence here on the HTH side of things, but I promise I've been busy! I have been working on some custom orders, which will be gifts, so I can't show them until after Christmas!

In the meantime, does the hunter in your life need a little something special for their r***e? If you head on over to https://www.theogresforge.com/product-page/r***e-buttstock-cheek-rest?selectionIds=4 you'll find a couple of custom .30 caliber r***e buttstock covers that are sure to make your hunter grin ear to ear! Each include four ammo loops that will accommodate any .30 cal hunting round, a plush raised cheek rest, two adjustable straps for a perfect fit and a back strap to keep the cover from sliding forward when in use. These covers are made from 5-6oz veg tan, 2-3oz veg tan and are lined with nubuck for a soft interior that will keep your r***e stock protected. Both of the covers are custom-dyed by hand and there are no rivets used it's all hand-sewn)! Now is the perfect time to order a handmade gift built to last a lifetime.

If you've ever wondered how and why I have HTH products being sold in Kansas and via The Ogre's Forge website, head on over to my pinned post that explains it all! When you're done there, check out the other AMAZING items The Ogre's Forge offers and then go check out the newest part of their business, TOF Mercantile Co.!

Custom Leather Cheek Rest & Bullet HolderGive your r***e a serious upgrade in comfort, function, and style. Each cheek rest is handmade from premium leather and built to strap securely onto the buttstock using durable buckles—no slipping, no fuss, just a solid fit that feels right every time y...

08/16/2026

Some HTH Leather on the Ogre’s Forge website! While you’re there, check out the amazing hand forged knives, straight razors, blacksmith items, and customized women’s hats… absolutely incredible, one of a kind, made in the USA, handmade all the way items to treasure for generations! When you’re done there, check out TOFMercantileco.com for stunning hand-turned bottle stoppers, pens and handle scales stabilized and dyed by Mrs. Ogre herself!

https://www.theogresforge.com/product-page/the-high-plains-fringe-hand-sewn-leather-handbag?fbclid=IwVERDUATu5mhwZG9mBWZkaWQWUMmcxBNcnHPY0q0vc2HVIJsYAfAma2V4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR70oTQWHbtdhcj2JB4skE1W5GJXve4DDunrYycHdC0cGWQ1x93DwL2ZcCyjGQ_aem_wVqNu5X1hhifG8QYIRZ99g

The High Plains Fringe brings together rugged Western character and timeless leather craftsmanship in a handbag made entirely by hand. Crafted from rich, deep brown vegetable-tanned leather, every stitch on this bag is sewn by hand. A band of individually hand-cut leather fringe wraps around the top...

07/31/2026

Another custom piece floating off into the world! The body of this journal cover is made from pull-up leather which will take on it’s own character and patina as it is used and even more of the beautiful golden saddle-tan color will show through like you see there at the ends of the stitching (the leather is tanned and dyed to do just that - cool, right?!) The patch is hand tooled veg tan leather dyed with a reduced saddle-tan color (its reading very orange when I upload the pic to FB, not sure why) to work with the patina of the pull-up leather. I hope its new owner loves this piece as much as I loved making it!

07/30/2026

I just sent three new custom pieces out into the world! The tool holder and hardware pouch were made for a wood worker who wanted to be able to carry hardware and specific tools in a belt-mounted configuration. Both are made from 8-9oz, 5-6oz and 2-3oz veg tan leather.

The hardware pouch has 12 bit slots, tool loop, canvas cinch closure and quick access flap. The tool holder includes a hammer loop, tape measure mount, custom pocket for a mini square and precision slide rule, pocket knife loop, carpenters marking pens and a larger open pocket to accommodate any other items needed for the job.

I also made a sheath for a beautiful The Ogre's Forge hunting knife, which was an awesome blast from the past!

I loved the challenge of patterning these pieces (even when I didn’t love it 😆). A million thanks to this customer for trusting me with this opportunity to make something truly custom and truly unique!

06/12/2026

When the crow IS the shiny thing, what’s not to love?! Black 4-5oz chrome tanned pebble grain cowhide with a hand tooled and stamped crow patch finished with a combination of black and brown dye and Angelus gold leather paint on 5-6oz veg tanned cowhide. The rivets, snaps, purse feet and zipper are all gold-toned and the purse has an interior slot pocket in addition to the large tote compartment. This purse is entirely sewn by hand, as well. 💛🐦‍⬛ 💛

05/28/2026

Finally got back to this project that’s been in the works for a while! I am using a pattern that I’ve used previously as the foundation of this piece, but I’m also going off-script to make some custom pieces that fit the project a little bit better. It’ll take about 16 miles of thread to sew this thing together, but I like how it’s shaping up!

05/21/2026

A new custom item off the bench: a badge wallet. This thing is a beast by design with a card/document slot with an 8oz welt, the badge window slot with an 8oz welt and 8oz badge anchor and an ID card slot with a 5/6oz welt. The original badge wallet that this replaces was filled to bursting, so extra heavy welts will allow for room for necessaries while maintaining strength and integrity that will last for ages!