Crafting Leather Bags and Accessories Workshop

Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced

Saturday, May 10, 2025 (1 Session)
OR
Saturday, August 2, 2025 (1 Session)
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Tom Slavicek
Class Fee: $60.00 non-members + $35.00 Supply Fee
            $54.00 BRMAA members +$35.00 Supply Fee                  
Join leather craftsman Tom Slavicek and learn how to make hand-made leather bags, belts, and accessories. Learn how to cut and stitch leather as well as adding artwork, dyeing and finishing leather, and using specialized tools for leather making. Other projects that you may choose to make are phone pouches, journal covers, hiking bags, or a small backpack. Bring your lunch and spend the day learning to craft your own leather creation.  All leathers, materials, tools, and instructions are provided, along with templates. No artistic ability is necessary, nor is any previous leather working experience. You do not need to bring anything except your enthusiasm and desire to make something beautiful! You will be asked to indicate which project you want to work on two weeks before the class so be sure to check your email. Limited seating, so sign up early.

May Registration 

Crafting Leather Bags & Accessories Registration & Supply Fee

August Registration

Crafting Leather Bags & Accessories Registration & Supply Fee
Call (706) 632-2144 for questions regarding this course and registration. Payment is required to register for BRMAA courses. You may pay via PayPal above, over the phone, or visit The Art Center located at 420 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 to pay in person. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

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Tom Slavicek has been leather crafting since he was a Boy Scout, when he earned his Leatherwork Merit Badge on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. During his career days as an executive director for the Boy Scouts of America, his hobby managed to stay alive and thrive in the form of creating numerous Native American leather/beadwork outfits and articles of clothing, along with his favorite item,  hand-crafted leather pouches and shoulder bags. 
After a 37-year career serving young people, Tom retired in 2011 and he and his wife, Karen, moved to Dahlonega, GA. His enjoyment of working with leather is coming to fruition through his crafting of various styles of pouches and bags, with the added feature of inscribed images on the front of the pouches. Tom uses a wood-burning tool to inscribe the images free hand directly onto the leather. The color on some bags is created by either adding dried wax to the leather and then melting it, or by using leather inks. Each pouch is a unique work of art, and no two are alike. 
Currently Tom teaches leather classes at about a dozen venues across north Georgia, including the John C. Campbell Folk School (North Carolina), Camp Mikell Folk School (Toccoa, GA), and the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts (Young Harris, GA).