hi everyone....i just heard the news and had to come to pay homage to one of the most talented craftsmen i've ever met....in fact i'd be hard pressed to name anyone better....across-the-board talent in every way, hugely creative, knowlegeable and extremely clever.
when i first joined bcuk he influenced me as a bushcrafter and when i became a leathersmith he continued to influence me. i always aspired to his level of perfection and looked at his work with envy and respect....his ability to produce a flood of amazing commissions week after week never failed to blow me away....he had already smashed stuff back then that i'm even yet to tackle today.....i remember his hold-all....his multicarry....his insulin-machine case....just his stitching alone was a thing of beauty.....everything he ever did just raised the bar higher and higher to tell the truth.
i barely knew him and met him just a few times at shows, always friendly and smiling....the second time we met he very nicely pointed out a weak area in my work (which i took a bit hard lol) but the truth is that from that day on i implemented his advice and since then have done so on every piece of my work....he literally added something into my life and i became a better leathersmith for having known him.....that mustve been about 6 years ago now and every time i carry out the procedure in my remaining years i'll think of him.
i'm absolutely gutted about whats happened and i know he brought a lot of happiness and pleasure into peoples lives....
rip leather-brother and a big hug to his family....
regards and respect,
sonni x
