29/10/2024
Hi! I’m Liv, and I’m a leather artisan based in Cornwall who practices the art of leather crafting.
I would like to share my own personal story of leathercrafting and neurodivergence, in the hope that my transparency might help others, and as an attempt for you to get to know me and what goes into my craft.
Some people say neurodivergence is a ‘deficiency’ and tell you something is wrong with you. Some say it’s a superpower. I wouldn’t necessarily agree with either, for me it’s just a different way of being in a world that wasn’t built for you. With this comes a lot of self doubt, a lot of beating yourself up about not doing things the ‘right’ way. It also comes with a lot of paddling against the current and invisible barriers.
Leather has been something that has brought me some comfort. It’s the perfect blend of action and thought, something to quiet my mind and occupy my fidgeting hands. I can make whatever I want and I find that freeing and exciting. That’s why I love creating something new and unique. Here my different brain can be a positive.
A reaccuring theme that you’ll see in my work is nature and birds. These things have always been a great source of comfort to me when things can get overwhelming and busy and loud. I source inspiration from what I love, and funnily enough, give the things I make back to those I love.
And so now, while fighting a continuous battle of self acceptance, I aim to make bespoke and unique items for people who love something a bit different, something that will celebrate their differences and embrace their likes, preferences and way of being.
Awesome can look like a lot of different things!
