Always fun to try and set the mood for writing in your journal. I love the warm, soft light of candles.

A gift from Old Barn Leather is not just for Christmas, but will last a lifetime.

Ancient stones engraved with Celtic Crosses can be found across Europe but this one was inspired by stone monuments found at Calanais, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Love horses? Here are three completely different styles. You can view them in our shop.

It started with a suggestion from the children. ‘Why don’t you make a journal for a Hobbit?’, they asked. ‘And why not hide a ring on the cover?’. Since then I have made several, but never two the same.

What will you write in yours?

All planning starts out this way. There is plenty of communication between me and the customer before the carving begins. The final article is here in my gallery.

Here is the turtle I was telling you about. Wish you could feel the texture on her shell and flippers.

10 A5 journal covers, carved, coloured and stitched, ready for their books and a final polish. A sketchbook? Or a diary? Or perhaps a simple lined notebook?

… and every single one is unique. What would you have on yours?

A lovely gift for a couple tying the knot.

Used by archers and for enactments. But a large portion of the bracers (or gauntlets) are bought by people attending music festivals. Yes, I was surprised too!

The Lion Rampant is Royal emblem of Scotland, dating back to the 13th Century. As a flag, it is only allowed to be flown by a monarch.

The VIBees have found their way from a notebook onto a guitar strap. I love working on the nature range. Every single project is unique - absolutely no two are ever the same, even if they’re the same subject and style.

As comfy as any chair you’ll ever sit in. And something I really enjoy personalising. But this one’s mine! See my Shop and Commission Shop for options.

A surprise awaits inside. This box measures approximately 6 inches by 6 inches by 4 inches (15cm x 15cm x 10cm).

Somewhere to keep your valuables when you need both hands free. Great for Dog treats too.

This tool roll consists of 12 pockets of varying sizes, designed to keep jewellers’ and beaders’ tools safe and sound. The cover can be custom designed to your specification.

In a quiet nook in the safe arms of a mighty oak, Squirrel tucks into his secret stash of nuts.

Getting ready to paint in his new personalised sketch book from Old Barn Leather.

Getting down to work: The inspiration very often comes from the weather, who or what’s in the garden and sometimes from the leather itself. Even something one of my grandchildren may have said can spark and idea. This became my first fairy house!

Beginning the dyeing process after the carving and backgrounding has been completed. In this example, the design was picked from a selection I sent to my client and she decided on the colours she wanted.

Over twenty blank leather journal covers, newly cut out and ready for artwork and embellishment. They are cut from a high quality, vegetable tanned leather that can be carved and will remain soft and with that wonderful leather smell.

A collection of projects that need my attention. Three A5 notebooks, panels for three trinket boxes and two wrist bands - all for stitching, gluing and finishing. There’s always something to do.

Painting is one of the most relaxing and meditative stages in all Old Barn Leather projects. And there is usually some kind of soothing music in the background.

Love trees! A favourite design subject in the making. A great idea for a tree lover. And I love the mellow tones that I can make with dyes and inks.

It’s really RED. But then what other colour should a tractor be? I love special commissions like this tractor and Jeep combination. It’s a chance to really embrace character and meaning. You can see more of this in Previous Commissions.

As with all stages of the process, I love the immediately satisfying results of hand stitching. It may take longer, but the results are always worth the extra time and care.

Eight small hip pouches, all ready for stitching and finishing. Great for dog walkers and riders who don’t have pockets in their jodhpurs.

Keeping the stitches nice and crisp and even.

A selection of guitar straps ready for the next step. Cut and carved, now waiting for colour, lining, stitching and finishing.

This example was personalised for a Third Wedding Anniversary.

This is a really fun jigsaw. A bespoke keepsake box ready for its velvet lining and the assembly of its parts. A great 3rd Wedding Anniversary gift.

A selection of my working tools. I use these the most and wouldn’t be without them. From Al Stohlman Tools and Barry King Tools

Getting ready to post a very special package. This was a specially commissioned gift from one friend to another. Precious!

Pocket-sized (A7) notebooks. Small but perfectly formed. Great for spotters and twitchers, spies and listers.

Old Barn Leather also makes protective cotton book bags. We want to make sure that your precious leather journal can be kept safe from sun and dust.

Guitar Straps can be personalised to suit your taste, but here are a few from the studio.

A 6inch diameter bowl for trinkets, car keys or wrapped sweets. They come in different sizes, and a variety of designs. Check them out on Living Spaces.