Tandy Leather - Technical Product developer
End-to-end development of all kits, paper patterns, acrylic templates, CraftAids. Designed for all levels of leathercrafters to recreate.
Kits
Each kit is designed for beginner-intermediate leathercrafters to build a finished product. There are chrome-tanned leather options for people who want a finished product and vegetable-tanned leather options for people who want to customize it with stamps, tooling, and dye.
Explorer Collection
This collection was designed specifically to meet all of the requirements of the Scouts of America leatherworking merit badge. I worked with a local Fort Worth manufacturer to pre-sew all of the canvas pouches and our overseas vendor to source the collection-specific hardware and accessories. Some of the design work was contracted out to a pattern-maker who worked closely with the Scouts community.
Kit Packaging & Instructions
For each kit, I create step-by-step photo instructions and assets for packaging and web pages. As a team, we developed a levels system for each kit so stores can communicate to customers the complexity of each item. We also list all of the other tools you will need to complete the kit so the customer can be prepared. The instructions have gotten great feedback for how thorough they are, but in 2026 we also launched video instructions.
Finished Instructions
Video Instruction Camera Setup
Digital (Video) Instructions App
Draft Info for PKG and INS
Paper Pattern
Production PKG
Paper Patterns
Paper patterns are meant for advanced leathercrafters, they encourage the maker to adjust and customize them for their own specific needs. Some are duplicates of kits, others are paper
Development Process
As a technical product developer, I am constantly making things. Not everything is produced for cost reasons, but each of these has its own market. I am also constantly selecting materials from our inventory to advise customers of the best materials for each product.
Acrylic Templates
For each kit, I create step-by-step photo instructions and assets for packaging and web pages. As a team, we developed a levels system for each kit so stores can communicate to customers the complexity of each item. We also list all of the other tools you will need to complete the kit so the customer can be prepared. The instructions have gotten great feedback for how thorough they are, but in 2026 we also launched video instructions.
Laser Machine Setup
Having only used a Glowforge, I was tasked with setting up a laser machine, creating the patterns and branding, optimizing production time, and training a factory worker to operate it daily. I created templates used for cutting specific products and other ‘tools’ for the leathercrafting process.
