3D Lasers & Leather?

I have been thinking about learning how to use and incorporate laser printing and cutting in my leather design process. While I love hand cutting leather, and will likely continue to as a sort of "originals vs. prints" concept, I have been wanting to automate the process by making my hand drawn ideas CAD designs and then learning how to program a laser printer or cutter to cut these designs.

There is a new product out there Glowforge which could make this possible at home! You can cut wood, leather, etch glass, cut felt...so many interesting applications. If you get a chance flip through their galleries because there are already so many amazing things this printer has made...

I want a Glowforge so bad! Meanwhile, I think last year I read about a makers group in St. John's that has a laser in their collection of tools. I may need to further investigate...

If you want one too, you can sign up for their mailing list to get this awesome tool 1/2 off.

"The 3D laser printer that makes beautiful things, quickly.

Our first Glowforges will be half price.
We don't want you to miss out."

Screen Capture from the Glowforge website available 9.18.15

baby berry Winter 2014-2015 Catalog, Products, Prices and Customization Options

Here is my first season of baby accessories, all neatly outlined in the below catalog. Lots of customization options available and nearly infinite fabric choices. Please send me a message to place an order. Shoe sizes preemie - 24 months. Leg warmers newborn - adult. Ear flap hats, newborn - adult. Please click on the first image to view the catalog full size. Thank you!

Exciting Announcement: YazBerry is Expanding; Now Offering baby berry

Now introducing baby berry, the little sister of YazBerry! 

It happened on a whim, I made a pair of leather baby booties for a surprise gift for a pregnant friend. Like I always do, I posted a picture on facebook of my latest creative project and had amazing feedback right away and several requests for custom orders! So far I've sent off 2 pairs of custom leather baby booties and have a couple more custom pairs on the design table.

I will be making variations on the leather baby booties pictured and baby booties with vintage Japanese kimono obi fabric in a few different styles and shapes. Stay tuned, lots on the design table this month. Gathering supplies; brainstorming ideas; surveying my mom friends. I will also be making baby leg warmers from recycled sweaters! 

My goal is to offer fresh color combinations and looks you won't find in stores or online today. Also, many looks will be gender neutral with the thought that they may be used for many babies! True heirlooms. 

Do I have your attention? Need an heirloom quality baby gift? Contact me and we can discuss the almost endless options. Vegan choices available too! 

YazBerry Jewelry Collection: Leather Lace

The Leather Lace Collection features hand cut leather lace necklace, bracelets and earrings. I might even try a new ring concept soon! My leather lace collection is one of my most detailed and highest skilled techniques. I have written some background on my technique and inspiration before, and recently produced a short "making of" film which is available on youtube.

Bold and eye catching. Delicate like lace but with the strength of leather. Sometimes imitating metal, sometimes paper. Always distinct and free hand cut by me. Some producers use lasers to mass produce leather filigree jewelry. I do not. I pride myself in a steady hand and the ability to visually transfer a drawn design to leather by simply using small knives and piercing tools. I am good, really good. My free hand cut leather jewelry rivals and surpasses designs cut by lasers time and time again!

Most of these designs I can make in any color of leather or reproduce in similar look to what is featured. Many are currently available on my Etsy shop and on my facebook page. Inspired? Have a design you'd like to see in leather? Contact me to discuss custom jewelry options.

The Hand Cut Leather Lace Process - Revisited

You may recall my post on my hand cut leather lace process a few years ago. I have been re-inspired by cut leather work recently and decided to film the making of a new necklace design to give you some more insight into my process and technique. The piece featured in this video is available on my facebook page for purchase. This design could also be made in bronze or silver foiled leather. I have a few other colors on hand too just let me know what you are looking for.

Exotic Skins - Vintage and So Right Now!

Exotic Skins on YazBerry Fashion
Inspired by a gorgeous $11,400 Louis Vuitton sting ray clutch in the April 2011 Bazaar, I curated a collection of my vintage exotic skin purses currently available in my store. Vintage exotic leather skin purses are highly collectible and heavily sought out by vintage enthusiasts. I am constantly on the look out for quality exotics and put them in my store whenever I get my hands on them. One of my favorite treasures to find on vintage hunts. One of the most interesting skins I've ever found was turtle. Tre exotic. It sold on Etsy a couple of years ago. Here it is for the curious.
I love getting my mitts on a vintage exotic leather purse because the best part is researching to identify which skin it is. Some are obvious, some less so, like the turtle above. In fact, a fellow Etsian helped me identify the turtle skin. There is a lot of information online to help you identify purses when you find them. Happy hunting.

Repurposed Antique Spools

I've been wanting to include a free gift with purchase for a while and finally came up with a fun idea. I had a bag of antique wooden spools I've been trying to find a purpose for for a few years. I also have a scrap fabric stash that needs depleting.

Take one part antique wooden spool, one part scrap fabric, throw them in a blender with a little Modge Podge, thread them with leather, top them off with a wooden bead and you have a super cute keychain!

I like that while simple, these are useful, vintage and fabric - which are representative of the type of products in my YazBerry Store!

Even Steven (hehe...) helped with the project. Upon frustratingly and painfully trying to twist too tight wooden beads onto the leather, Steve had the inspiration to use...the...drill! Brilliant. Thanks for the help Steve! This expedited the process significantly! He also helped with some of the Modge Podge stuffs we did to the spools to preserve the labels and such.

Is it a Tunic or a Dress?

TBD. Sometimes a design requires the hunt for the perfect fabric, other times the fabric inspires the design. That is the case this time. I had a piece of leather I had cut one of my leather corset leaf bodices out of that wants to be turned into either a tunic or a dress. My initial thoughts were tunic...but upon playing with some fabric around the house last night and today I am wondering if it might be a dress.

Here are the first peeks of an idea:




The lovely mauve and off white fabric you see is an antique kimono obi. The delicious giant buttons are vintage! I love recycling and repurposing fabric and buttons. To use the kimono obi fabric, I need to take it apart.


When I exposed part of the liner I discovered the makers mark (no not the whiskey), does anyone read Japanese characters? I'd love to know who made this as all kimonos and obis are meticulously and precisely hand sewn and this is the first stamp or label I have come across! This one, like a couple others I've worked with, had a lovely hidden silk lined pocket as well. I love the discovering little treasures like these. As the silk is in pristine condition I think it will find it's home in a purse in the near future.


Here is what it looks like day two. Part of the process is taking apart the first draft, which is simply pinned fabric and actually starting to tailor and assemble the item. Right now I am working on some organic, raised darts along the front waist. The idea is to cinch in the waist a bit, so it looks less sack like when the obi belt is tied around it. More later as the design progresses.