Saturday 22 March 2025, Crafting a Leather Card Holder with The Backward Vendor

14:00 - 17:00 GMT (Greenwich Meantime, London, UK)

Online event, hosted on Zoom by April Huitong Mai of The Backward Vendor

April Huitong Mai, a Leather Artisan rooted in Hackney, London, is the visionary behind The Backward Vendor. With an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, April merges traditional methods with innovative flair, crafting bespoke designs that echo individual narratives. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings—people, nature, and the timeless allure of handmade artistry—April's creations resonate with a sense of authenticity and quality. At the heart of her work lies a dedication to preserving the essence of handcrafted goods amidst a world enamoured with mass production.

The Backward Vendor serves as both a showcase and a sanctuary for artisanal leatherwork. Within its walls, April conducts immersive workshops, imparting knowledge of leathercraft and traditional techniques to enthusiasts eager to reconnect with the artistry of handmade goods.

Specialising in handcrafted leather shoes and expanding into homeware, April seamlessly blends vegetable-tanned leather with metal to fashion exquisite pieces ranging from lighting fixtures to upholstered chairs. Each creation bears the mark of April's meticulous craftsmanship, with some items crafted in limited runs, reflecting the spontaneity and spirit of her creative process.

Outline of the workshop
April will introduce the art of leathercraft and the history of cardholders before guiding you through the assembly and stitching of a leather cardholder. Through a series of demonstrations and one-to-one tuition, the workshop is designed to offer guidance on troubleshooting common issues such as uneven stitching or misaligned pieces alongside showing more complex and personalised design details, such as embossing initials, adding decorative stitching patterns, or incorporating leather dyes for colour customisation.

Participants are encouraged to share their experiences and ask questions throughout the workshop to foster a collaborative learning environment. Throughout the workshop, April will share resources or recommendations for further exploration of leathercraft techniques and projects.

Additional notes:

• Ensure your workshop space is well-lit and equipped with adequate seating and workstations
• Wear an apron or protective gear to prevent damage to clothing
  

Level of experience required: open to all levels

A material pack will be sent to participants before the workshop containing:

• Pre-cut leather pieces for the cardholder
• Thread, needles, and other necessary tools
• Instruction handbook with step-by-step guidance

Optional: Personalisation tools such as stamps or lettering sets

Please note: material packs are shipped on an insured, trackable delivery service. Any customs duties, delays, lost or undeliverable packages are the responsibility of the customer. Once a material pack leaves the workshop tutors' hands with a tracking number, the seller has no further obligation to the buyer.

Workshop recording: 
The workshop will be recorded and the recording will be shared with you after the workshop. Please allow 7 working days for us to send you the recording.



Workshop Cancellation Policy

All places reserved for workshops are non-refundable. However, if you let us know you are not able to attend a workshop you have booked at least two weeks before the event, we will offer a credit note.

If you require additional information about this workshop please contact the events team, events@selvedge.org.