Some people are born into their craft, following in the footsteps of generations before them. My story is a bit different. Growing up as a vegetarian for the first eight years of my life, leather goods weren't exactly a familiar presence. But life has a funny way of leading you exactly where you need to be, even if you don't know it at the time.
My first meaningful encounter with leather came from my father - a well-worn wallet he passed down to me. Later, when I was eighteen and preparing to join the Royal Marines, I invested in my first pair of quality leather boots. Little did I know then how significant that purchase would be in shaping my understanding of what quality craftsmanship truly means.
The real spark, though? It came from an unexpected source. I stumbled across a video of a Norwegian craftsperson binding Harry Potter books in goatskin leather. As someone who grew up with those stories, watching someone transform those beloved books into something even more magical - something that spoke of heritage and craftsmanship - it captured my imagination completely. I fell down a rabbit hole of leathercraft videos, watching artisans from all corners of the world. Despite the language barriers, their shared dedication to quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship spoke volumes.
I've always been drawn to making things. As a child, I would spend hours constructing elaborate LEGO machines (I was particularly proud of my working conveyor belt) and setting up complicated booby traps around the house (sorry, Mum). But nothing quite stuck until I found leather. There's something different about leatherwork - it's a full sensory experience. The intoxicating smell, the feel of the material under your hands, the way it engages both mind and body. It's not just crafting; it's creating something that will become part of someone's story.
In my workshop, where I've now spent thousands of hours, I've had some of my best ideas - and yes, some of my worst too. Whether I'm working through a 110-hour week to meet a trade deadline or preparing stock for an upcoming event, the reward always outweighs the challenge. This craft has taught me more about myself than I ever expected to learn.
To me, quality and craftsmanship aren't just marketing buzzwords - they're a personal responsibility. When someone chooses one of our pieces, they're not just buying a product; they're investing in something that will grow with them, collect memories, and potentially be passed down through generations. Think about your grandmother's kitchen mixer that's mixed hundreds of loaves of bread, or your grandfather's leather satchel - these aren't just items, they're vessels of memory and heritage.
That's what drives Beck and Willow forward: creating pieces that celebrate not just our craft, but our country's heritage and the quality of our materials. We're building something that will outlast us, something that my children and their children can be proud of. And we're doing it the Northern way - with honesty, friendliness, and an unwavering commitment to our community and customers.
Our pieces might cost more than mass-produced alternatives, but they won't end up in a landfill after a year. Instead, they'll be there for the miles hiked, the events attended, the work accomplished, and the memories made. They're not just products - they're canvases for life's stories, waiting to become part of yours.