The Hand Cut Leather Lace Process

LEATHER LACE

WHAT IS IT?

USA based Artist and Designer, Virginia E. Berry (Me) uses 100% Genuine Leather glove weight Lambskin in her precision, freehand cut and pierced leather jewelry and purses. This technique is referred to as leather lace. It is a play between positive and negative space; a 3-d rendering of a high contrast image.



THE INSPIRATION:

Mesmerized by a book on Asian Cut Art, Chinese Chung-hua and Japanese Kiri-e at my Grandmother’s, I taught herself to create cut paper art at a young age. I also finds inspiration in Mexican Papél Picado and cut paper art found in other cultures. My designs draw from traditional Asian motifs, Art Nouveau and Art Deco design.












THE PROCESS:

Leather lace requires the steady hand of a surgeon, one slip and the entire piece can be ruined. I draw out my design ideas on paper and use these to develop my pieces. Then, using the drawing as a visual reference guide, I use delicate knives and piercing utensils to freehand cut the design into leather. This is a careful, highly detailed process. Once the basic design in in place, I go back through with a close eye and makes sure all of the cut lines are crisp and smooth.

LEATHER LACE & YAZBERRY:

I started developing my hand cut leather lace technique in 2007. I've explored many tools and have sharpened my methods, always based on freehand cutting and freehand drawing. Leather lace is extremely lightweight and soft to wear. It is very flexible and amazingly durable. I have done durability testing and make sure my cut lines are thick enough so that you cannot tear them with your hands. Trust me, we've tried. To view my full leather lace collection (more to come in the next few weeks), visit yazberryfashion.etsy.com and view the bracelets & necklaces.

Hand Cut Leather Lace Demonstration

Here are some pictures from the Hand Cut Leather Lace Demonstration last week outside of my YazBerry Handmade Fashion Store on Artists' Row in Salem, MA.

Friday, July 9 at 6 PM. I had a half dozen interested minds stop by to learn about the history of cut paper art and how I have adapted this art form to cut leather lace. Pictured are samples of my work in leather, an example of Chinese cut paper art (circular picture with fish in red) and hanging behind me is iParty's rendition of Mexican Papel Picado (which is typically done in tissue paper). Also pictured are my tools.



Stop by this week to check out the next two free workshops I'm offering:
Wed 14, 7 PM FREE—Workshop: Basic Sewing Skills/Make a Sewing Kit
5-15 Participants
Open to all ages.
Younger children should be supervised as use of sewing machines & hot iron may be required.
Participants will learn how to sew on a button, mend a tear, hide a snag and hem pants. Basic instructions on how to use a needle and thread and a sewing machine will be taught. Insider tips and tricks will be shared. Participants will use the skills learned to make a simple sewing kit to hold needles, thread, pins etc. that I will provide.

Sat 17, 4 PM FREE—Workshop: Fashion Design Drawing
10-20 Participants
Open to all ages.
Participants will learn how to draw clothing design ideas from different perspectives: front, side, back. They will be given instruction on how to emulate pleats, texture, print, volume etc. in their drawings. If participants wish to later construct their designs, suggestions on how much fabric and which materials they need will be given.

To see what other great workshops, performances and demonstrations will be offered by other Artists on Artists' Row, check out the All Artists' Row calendar.

Why Does the Muse Strike During a Bout of Insomnia?

Last night (this morning) my mind decided that sleeping was not an option. No biggie. It started off with a splitting headache to which I said..."ok headache, if you plan to keep me from sleeping, I am going to be productive and make something." I grabbed a scrap of leather I had intended for a cuff style bracelet.

Lounging in my living room by the windows with the best cool air flow (it's been a sauna this week...cool air flow is essential), box cutter, cutting board and scissors in hand I set off on an ex..PER..iment *said in booming announcers voice. Per the suggestion in the ebay description when I bought my most recent batch of leather, I set off to make delicate lace like designs. The following is my first attempt:


It did not occur to me until about 4 AM that I had dabbled with similar cutting thoughts before. My grandma had this cool Japanese Cut Paper Art book that I played with when I was a kid (she had all sorts of great art books and sewing supplies etc.; fun babysitter!). I've since acquired this book and dug it out and started flipping through.

Huge mistake (brilliant idea). I was so inspired by the textures I grabbed my essential bedside post-it notes and started flagging images that grabbed my attention. Often small portions, especially textiles and floral motifs, found in more elaborate images. That was it, I was done for, no chance of shut eye pre-sunrise.

I grabbed the sketchbook I'm slowly trying to fill for the Sketchbook Project...pardon the interruption but this is a cool project I want to point out to anyone with any interest in making art what-so-ever. It is this cool collaborative art project (one of several organized by the Art House Co-Op) in which participants fill a sketchbook and submit it to a traveling sketchbook library. Then, exhibit (library) patrons can check out the sketchbooks like a book and take them home to peruse the pages first hand! Brilliant! Like making art? You should seriously consider participating :)

Woo Woo, ok, the train is back on the track. So I grabbed my sketchbook and started drafting ideas I had for cuffs. I came up with a couple last night (this morning) then woke at 10:30 (5 hours of sleep, really muse?) and sat down with the Japanese Cut Art book for a while and came up with several more designs. I am extremely excited about this project. Here is what I've done so far:


Be sure to check out the below link on Japanese Cut Paper Art. It is an incredibly beautiful art form. I have always been enchanted by it. This is a cool step by step video on the process.