Podcast
Lost Trade
Hosted by Don Gonzales · EN
A show focused on the trade skills that have almost been lost to history and the male and female Craftsmen that keep them alive. I am Don Gonzales, a full time saddle maker of 15 years, and I dive into the world of "supposed" forgotten skills and trades.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
lürgen Volbach
Aug 1401:42:00Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we are visiting with lürgen Volbach from Germany. lürgen is an amazing artist and craftsman that specializes in floral carving and 3D embossing works. He also spends a lot of his time, both here in the states as well as Germany, teaching others that want to learn this amazing skill set. We met him the first time in Sheridan at the leather show, and became quick friends. Enjoy the episode and hearing his story. You can find him on facebook and instagram if you want to see some of his amazing artwork.
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Adam Love with Hermann Oak Leather
Jul 2101:27:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we visit with Adam Love with Hermann Oak Leather. Adam works with Hermann Oak to bring leather craftsmen the best possible veg tanned leather that we all know and love. We talk about the process of making leather from specific quality hides in the same location as the company's founding over 100 years ago. Adam not only sells the leather, but also is on a journey of his own learning the craft and how to work with the quality leathers that they produce.
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Alexander Levy
Jul 301:16:27Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we are visiting with Alexander Levy. Alexander is a leather worker and floral carver based out of Mason, TX. His shop produces many different beautiful leather craft items, but one of his specialties is cowboy leggings or chaps. Working in the shop with his wife and kids, Alexander's leather craft journey is interesting and we are excited to bring it to you. Check out his work on Instagram and Facebook, or visit his website Alexander Levy Custom Leather
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Steve Van Plew
Jun 301:10:21Tap to summarizeWe are visiting with Steve Van Plew in this episode. Steve is an accomplished leather craftsman and aspiring saddle maker residing in California. Steve's career has been in the television and video industry and he uses these skills to help promote and document his passion for the leather craft industry. He creates instructional videos to help craftsmen with their machines in association with Leather Machine Company. He also created and hosts the Leather Community Podcast where he interviews leather craftsmen from all over the country. Steve is truly passionate about the world of leather craft and we really enjoy visiting with him.
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Clair Kehrberg
May 7, 202501:23:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down and visit with Clair Kehrberg from Oregon. Clair is a traditionally trained saddle maker that uses her skills and artistic talents to create truly unique personal accesories. From purses to belts, Clair creates bright and elegant pieces that express her love of color, artistry and leather craft. You can find her work on Facebook and Instagram, as well as her Etsy store. If you would like to see what pieces she has available in her store, click here clairkehrberg.etsy.com and see what she has.
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Paul Van Dyke
Mar 25, 202501:40:16Tap to summarizePaul Van Dyke is an award winning saddle maker from Sheridan, WY. In this episode, we visit with him about his love for quality gear and quality horses. Through his history and travels, he has crafted a career that allows him to enjoy both on a daily basis. Paul divides his time making quality horses, quality saddles, as well as teaching other craftsmen the skill of saddle making. Visit his website, Vandykesaddlery.com, to see some of the fine craftsmanship that he creates as well as learn more about his Saddle Making Courses that he offers during the year. If you have been wanting to learn the art of saddle making, this would be an amazing course to take.
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Julie Baugher
Oct 17, 202401:29:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we visit with Julie Baugher about how she got started in leather craft and how she became one of the most well known educators for chaps and leggins in the industry. Along with teaching and mentoring many folks getting into the leather industry, she is also an accomplished saddle maker. Julie attends many leather trade shows and shares her knowledge about leather craft in her very popular classes. We had a great time visiting with her on the podcast and learning her story!
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Pedro Pedrini
Sep 6, 202400:49:43Tap to summarizePedro Pedrini is a renowned saddle maker and a member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. He is originally from France and in this episode we visit about his journey into becoming a master in the art of custom saddle making. You can find out more about Pedro on his website at Pedrini Saddle Company or on social media. The TCA also has information about him on their website.
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Scott Reed
Jul 25, 202401:50:55Tap to summarizeScott Reed is a knife maker from Oklahoma who makes the "Cowboy Switchblade." I found him through a friend that told me about his knives and I'm so glad I did. Scott is a very interesting guy to visit with and I truly enjoyed interviewing him for this episode. Along with his knife work, Scott also makes his own sheaths for all his knives and as a leatherworker myself I appreciate that. Be sure to check him out on Facebook and Instagram and see some of the unique knives that he makes for working cowboys and knife collectors. If you are interested in visiting with him about a knife, reach out to him and he can fix you up.
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Matt Wanner
Jun 28, 202401:25:08Tap to summarizeWe are visiting with Matt Wanner who is a saddle maker out of Utah. Matt works for Burns Saddlery in Salina, UT. He is a man of many hats with Burns. He not only builds fantastic custom saddles for himself and Burns, but he also manages and trains many of the amazing craftsmen that work there creating pieces for the store. Matt is also a lead instructor for the leather craft education side of Burns Saddlery through their online course program called Illum. He has worked to develop saddle making courses as well as other educational material that helps those interested in getting into the saddle making and/or leather working trade. You can find Matt on Instagram as well as the Illume Connect website.
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