Happy Birthday, Mr. Jones

By fromskilledhands ( July 20, 2007 at 8:34 am) · Filed under Art, Craft, creativity, here and now

Bill Jones was 79 this week. Bill is a master leathersmith and has been doing his craft
for over 40 years. He uses beautiful leather and solid brass fittings, and guarantees his bags for life.
Bill always has a kind and witty word for us; he asks about the family, and stops in with ideas and just to talk.
And Bill tells stories: stories about the people in his life today; stories about his pets; stories about his past. Like how he was a musician in the old days and how he traveled. And how he learned his craft. Bill took a bus to NYC to find someone to teach him about working with leather. He visited dozens of shops to no avail. Just before he was due to board his bus back to Cleveland, he stumbled upon a tiny shop loaded with leather. The proprietor was a wizened fellow with a strong eastern European accent. “Come in,” he said, “I will teach you everything I know.” Bill hesitated since he would miss his bus and forfeit his ticket. He spent hours with the ancient leathersmith, learning how to do quality work that was made to last.

Fast forward to the mid-sixties and a street called Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Bill opened a tiny shop in this area where Hell’s Angels, hippies and Orthodox Jews were seen on the street. He made bags and leather sandals, and sold Frye boots. People who lived near the area still talk about Bill and his work.

Our gallery smells like leather. Leather bags fill a large corner of the space, asking to be touched. They soften the feel of a space loaded with pottery, glass, photographs, wood, paintings and little jewelry. They are incredibly well crafted, and made to last. Why go coach when you can go first class?

Here’s to you, Mr Jones.

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5 comments »

  1. Cath Bennett said,

    July 20, 2007 @ 10:36 am

    Lovely. So good to find a passion and to make fine things.

    Condolences on the death of your father. I know his love will always be with you.

    Debra, there is good news about the deaf boy in Morocco whom you inquired about on my site. I thought you’d like to know that he is going to get a hearing implant at no cost in Casablanca. It really is a story of keeping faith and of the incredible generosity of a doctor.

  2. fromskilledhands said,

    July 20, 2007 @ 11:26 am

    Cath, thanks so much for your kind thoughts and for the news about the boy. More reasons to keep the faith.

  3. Larramie said,

    July 23, 2007 @ 10:35 pm

    You used my line, Debra, why go Coach indeed? And, yes, I can smell the leather from here…so soothing!

  4. pamela said,

    July 24, 2007 @ 9:53 am

    thx so much for stopping by to leave a comment! If only I had the patience of a potter. So sorry to read of your Dad’s passing, hopefully he can now smile down on you and touch your life in new ways.

  5. debra said,

    July 25, 2007 @ 8:16 am

    Larramie: brilliant minds…….. (actually they think for themselves). The leather is a multi-sensory comfort food.

    pamela: if only I could sew….I sweat when I go near a sewing machine. Makes the world an interesting place. My dad is with me always. Thanks.

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