Louise Leather Designs started as a hobby in 1976. After finishing her degree in psychology and industrial psychology at the University of the Free State, Louise Gerryts started by attending craft markets and stayed with the Country Craft Market (Somerset West) and the Rust n Vrede Market (Durbanville) for 18 years, where she also served on the management committee. She enjoyed working from home and her designs were popular with many boutiques all over South Africa. “My design skills lead to making ranges for shops, game lodges and many corporate clients. Many of my products still find its way to countries all over the world.”
Louise is passionate about leather and her range of leathers and products are very wide and sourced from all over the world. She works with all types of leather, but vegetable tanned leather and ostrich leather are her favourites. “My belts and fashion accessories were the core of my business for many years. Today I make bags, corporative gifts, curios, pet accessories and also some interior design pieces. I love to use the smallest piece of leather and my clicker press and laser engraver are huge assets to help me make the most exquisite products with leather that other people might throw away.” Louise’s eagerness to take on new challenges led to learning many new skills like software to cnc router, laser engrave, 3D printing and design programs. It also led her to initiating job creation projects like Leather for Life, which is still operational today. “My workshop is never tidy, because of all my ‘ideas’ lying around. This is my happy place and here I welcome visitors from near and far.
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Visit her by appointment Monday – Saturday, 10:00 – 17:00
Contact: Louise Gerryts
Mobile: 082 369 6285
Email: louiseleather@gmail.com
