Setting Up Your First Shop (Even If You Don’t Have a Shop)

When I started leatherwork, I didn’t have a studio. No big bench, no racks of tools, no wall of hides. I had a small pile of tools, a few scraps of leather, and a corner of the house I could work in without making too much of a mess.

If that’s where you’re at, here’s the good news. You don’t need a big workshop to start. You can make beautiful leather projects on a kitchen table, a folding desk, or even a sturdy coffee table. The key is being smart about your space and setup.

1. Choose a Surface You Can Protect Leatherwork involves sharp blades, pounding chisels, and glue. Get a self-healing cutting mat or even a scrap of plywood you can clamp down over your table. Make sure the surface is relatively smooth so you don’t mark or dent your leather while you work.

2. Organize for Quick Setup and Tear Down If you can’t leave your tools out, keep them in a bin, toolbox, or tote. Fishing tackle boxes and dollar store silverware sorters are great low-cost options for keeping things separated and easy to find.

3. Manage the Noise Stitching chisels and pounding can get loud. If you share your space with family, neighbors, or roommates, work during reasonable hours or use a rawhide mallet with a poundo board underneath to soften the sound.

4. Control the Mess Leather scraps and dust can spread fast. Keeping things tidy is less about your comfort and more about keeping your partner happy. Let’s be honest, most crafters can work just fine in a mess, but it’s nice to keep the peace.

5. Light Is Your Friend Good lighting makes cutting and stitching easier. If you have a battery-powered headlamp, it can help a ton by keeping the light exactly where you need it.

6. Have a “Work Ritual” Even if your shop is temporary, start with a little routine. Lay out your tools, put on some music, make a cup of coffee. It tells your brain it’s time to switch into maker mode.

In the beginning, it’s all about improvising. If you’re on a tight budget, get creative. Hit up the dollar store, go to yard sales, and see what you already have around the house that can be repurposed. Check out local social media groups like Buy Nothing pages, where folks often post free items they are looking to give away.

You don’t need a giant workshop or expensive gear to start leatherwork. You need a space you can protect, tools you can find easily, and a system that makes it easy to sit down and get to work. The rest will grow over time.