Who / Leon Schoots
What / Whisky & Wolf
Where / Bendigo +
Why / Bespoke Leathercraft + Photographer
Instagram / @whiskyandwolf
Facebook / whiskyandwolf
Stepping into Whisky & Wolf’s studio is like stepping into something straight out of a “Boy’s Own” manual; industrial shelving replete with leather hides, axes, camping equipment, vintage taxidermy, a stash of top-shelf whisky, hand crafted leather goods and leather craft tools. I almost felt inspired enough to wrestle a grizzly bear, reach for my hip flask and don my waders for a spot of fly fishing!
Whisky & Wolf is the handsome leather work/photography studio of talented all-rounder and wonderfully down-to-earth great guy Leon Schoots. From wallets, bill folds, passport document holders and belts to gorgeously understated totes and saddlebags, Leon’s skill, dedication, passion and craftsmanship are all sewn up in a lovely little film {link below} he created about making a bespoke leather tool roll. Save the introduction to Leon, my words are really not needed here.
Enjoy! {d} x
You are an amazing photographer who has recently turned his hand to being a leather craftsman. Tell us a little bit about your background – what path led you to where you are now?
First of all thank you for your kind words I really appreciate it! My story, like many other Australians, is one of immigration. I was born in South Africa and spent the first 13 years of my life there. My family then came to Australia and settled in a small rural town in East Gippsland. It was a huge change but my 13-year-old-self viewed it as a grand adventure.
Normalcy quickly returned as I started secondary college and we settled into our new surroundings. I completed secondary college in 2005 after which I took a gap year where I traveled to Canada, Scotland and back to South Africa. Upon my return to Australia, my interest in photography was sparked during the winter I spent working at Mt. Hotham. Once the winter was over I returned to my hometown where I worked for a small local paper as a photographer. Next came Sydney, where I worked for a studio for 18 months before being sent to Saudi Arabia to establish and manage a franchised studio in Jeddah.
After 3 months, I returned and decided to complete my Bachelor Degree of Photography in Melbourne, which offered me a change of direction and an opportunity to pursue commercial photography. Much of my work during the next two years focused on traditional crafts and artisan trades. During my 3rd year I was fortunate enough to be mentored by Sharyn Cairns, who was not only an amazing photographer but extremely humble and down to earth, she had a profound impact on my photographic style and approach. I spent most of third year assisting Sharyn on various photographic shoots and after completing my third year I continued working with Sharyn as one of her full-time assistants. We photographed various creatives and crafts people and this is where my desire to become more hands-on really set in. Watching these passionate people create beautiful things fueled my desire to take on a craft; and leather was a perfect fit. I have a passion for well-crafted goods and always valued quality leather products, so I made a trip down to a local Melbourne supplier and picked up the necessary tools and materials and my journey began.
‘Whisky & Wolf’ is your bespoke leather workshop. Tell us about your fabulous project! What inspired you to take on leather work?
Whisky and Wolf is my excuse to use my hands to create something that will last and that can be used and appreciated by people who share my passion for timeless, well-made goods. It was never meant to be a business, just something I loved doing and learning about. After moving to Bendigo, I was convinced by a friend and fellow creative to attend a local artist market, and it was the most stressful afternoon of my life! Putting something you made in front of people with a price tag on it was a terrifying experience. Up until this point everything I made was kept close and now it was on offer to the public. The fear of it being dismissed after putting so much of myself into each piece was horrible but thankfully my leather work was very well received. This in turn inspired me to continue to develop my skills and expand my range of products.
Whisky & Wolf’s studio is nestled alongside other creatives at Made in Common in Bendigo! Tell us about this collective space.
Made in Common is our shared space recently established here in Bendigo. We are located on the first floor of a historical building nestled in the heart of Bendigo. I share the space with 3 other creatives each very skilled at what they do. We offer a wide range of services including fashion retail, hairdressing, textile accessories, leather and of course my photography studio.
Your gorgeous W&W studio is filled with ephemera, eclectica + vintage pieces. Tell us about your aesthetic?
My eclectic collection of props and decorations is very much inspired by a period where craftsman took pride in their work. It’s also an excuse to buy old tools and bits and piece which otherwise could not be justified. Each piece has a history and story of its own and the textures, patina and colour cannot be recreated. I envision each piece forming a part of a cabin which had been lost and untouched for decades, stumbled upon in the woods. My photography reflects this same aesthetic and is inspired by these same values and in this the overlap between the two areas of my work is probably most obvious.
What inspires your leather work?
My leather work is definitely inspired by traditional craftsmanship. My products are simple classical designs without any unnecessary decorations. They are very practical and are made to serve a purpose and do it well. My goods are made to last and will hopefully be handed down to the next generation or become an item found in many years to come that is even better than when it was new like so many of the things decorating my shelves!
Tell us about the hand-crafted loveliness in Whisky & Wolf’s current range?
Focusing on quality over quantity, my current range of products is limited to a small number of designs that I know serve a clear and functional purpose. Whether it’s a traditional billfold or a timeless belt, I know each product will satisfy its new owner’s desires and will only become better with age. Recent additions to the range are a couple of bags for both men and woman and in the future I would like to tackle some bigger projects such as shoes and traditional leather luggage.
Where do you source your raw materials?
Currently, my materials come from a leather merchant in Melbourne. They source materials for upholstery, automotive and saddlery from all over the world. It’s a one-stop-shop with a huge selection of leathers tanned all over the world which provides a lot of information and so much to choose from, making each supply run a very long process. My buckles are solid brass and solid stainless steel and are made in England. I try to use only the best quality hardware ordinarily utilised for saddlery in order to guarantee longevity but it’s becoming increasingly hard to find quality hardware. My goal is to transition to leather from a local tannery based just outside Ballarat, which is family-owned and upholds many of the same values I have.
What are your tools of trade?
My process is very traditional and, hence, so are my tools. I also complete each and every step by hand which limits the amount and size of my tools. I have a dozen or so hand tools which I use on a daily basis. Leather knives, awls, edge bevellers, strap cutters, mallets and needles are probably the most common items and then I also have some tools which are simply part of my inventory because they have a history all to their own.
What’s involved in making a wallet, belt and bag?
All my items start off as either a vegetable tanned hide or a chrome tanned hide. The tanning process determines the final characteristics of the hide and thus also lends itself to some items more than others. Wallets and belts are made solely from vegetable tanned hides which wear beautifully over time. Bags can be made from either, depending on the end product desired. Tote bags for example are softer and more weather resistant as they utilise a New Zealand Chrome tanned cow hide.
The process starts by choosing a beautiful hide suited to the product. The pattern is then drawn onto the surface of the leather before being cut out by hand. Depending on the chosen leather, it is then coloured by hand and conditioned once dry. Each stitch is then marked and pre-punched with a stitching awl. Depending on the desired result, thread and a suitable technique is then chosen. In most cases a saddle stitch is used to construct the item which guarantees longevity. The saddle stitch is extremely strong and utilises a long piece of thread with a needle attached to both ends. The needles pass from one side to the other, continually crossing through all the layers of leather. Every single stitch is done completely by hand and provides strength and durability that cannot be matched by machines. Once the stitching is completed the edges are beveled and finished. Finally, the product is conditioned with a mixture of beeswax, linseed oil and eucalyptus turpentine and buffed to keep the leather supple.
What are the ups and downs of running a Handcrafted Leather Work Studio in a small-ish country town?
For me, the ups are definitely meeting amazing people who value the time and passion I put into each item, people who share a love for traditional practices and artisan crafts. Being able to explain my trade and techniques and impart a little knowledge that helps keep the craft alive make it so rewarding. I love seeing someone leave with a product that they understand and value and I think knowing who made it and where it came from is a growing requirement and a valued part of the experience.
The downs are most often the other side of that. For every person who appreciates the hand-crafted nature of my leather work, there are 10 people who simply don’t understand or value traditional practices. It comes from decades of misleading advertising and a consumerist approach to items we purchase. I am as guilty of this as the next person; it’s hard to break out of the mindset of buying goods simply because they are cheap despite knowing they will not last very long. Shoes are a great example of this. It hard to spend $1000 on a pair of shoes that will last 20 or 30 years when you can buy a pair for $100 that will likely only see out the year.
You sell on-line and at various markets. Where can we order your products? Do you do bespoke work?
Currently, I mainly sell from my workshop space here in Bendigo. Moss and Burrows in Daylesford also carry a range of belts and hope to expand on their inventory as support and awareness continues to grow. I am working with a number of other stores that will soon be stocking some of my work, but contacting me directly is often the best way to go. I love to meet the people purchasing my goods as it makes doing what I do so much more rewarding. My website, Facebook page and Instagram pages have details for those who would like to contact me or simply learn more about the process. I definitely take on bespoke work which can vary from commissions for new products or repairs on vintage pieces. These are the jobs where you learn a lot and stretch your skills to accommodate the requirements of customers.
In contrast, your photography studio has crisp, uncluttered lines. Tell us about your photography and style.
My photography space is almost the complete opposite to the leather workshop. It is the indulgence of the minimal that reflects the ethos behind creating timeless products, but simply from a different angle. My photography has evolved from employing artificial light and over complicating everything into a clean crisp style that celebrates natural light and subdued colours where possible. As I said earlier, Sharyn Cairns definitely had a huge influence on my approach and I owe her a big thank you for all her time and guidance. Understanding natural light, colour and composition enables me to create photographs that communicate the subtle beauty behind often simple subject matter. I love the Australian high country with its harsh appearance but soft colours and dramatic textures.
Does it compliment Whisky & Wolf?
I’d like to think that my two roles complement each other but I also like the separation between the two. Jumping from one to the other keeps my mind fresh, helps me keep motivated and keep pushing my craft and skills and prevents me getting stuck in a rut.
What equipment do you use/couldn’t you do without?
There is no doubt that my 100mm Macro lens is my favourite, attached to my Canon 5D mk2. It allows a beautiful fall off and crisp focus plane which helps to highlight what’s important. I mainly shoot tethered to my MacBook Pro which is an irreplaceable tool for modern photographers and allows results to be seen and altered on-the-fly. Additional lenses are definitely needed depending on the desired outcome and there is nothing that beats primes. A steady tripod is also a must but apart from that the rest is often unnecessary.
What does a typical day in the life of Leon Schoots photographer and owner/maker at ‘Whisky & Wolf’ look like; from when you wake to when you go to sleep?
I am lucky that I can pursue both my passions on a daily basis and work my day around particular requirements. I usually get up, ride my bike to the studio and do all the e-mail catch-up and menial tasks while enjoying a coffee from the roasters located below us. Then I tackle the growing list of customer orders or stock that needs to be made for the shop. If I need a break I usually jump into the studio and photograph something for my social media posts or my website. Social media is increasingly important and I have tried to establish a style that reflects my brand and values. I try not to overdo it with unnecessary posts and nonsense. Some days, leather takes a backseat and my day is spent in the studio shooting for clients or processing previously captured photographs. I usually need another coffee to get through the afternoon before finishing my day at about 5pm. I ride home and if need be, do some sewing etc. while spending the evenings with my fiancé.
Do you consider yourself to be a ‘Countryphile’? Do you love country life? Why?
I definitely see myself as a ‘Countryphile’. Most of my life has been spent in the country and my hobbies and passions stem from my surroundings and lifestyle growing up. I love getting away to spend a day on a high country stream fly fishing for trout, or simply getting into the mountains to capture some images. I like having space to myself and definitely try to avoid crowds where I can. I love the sense of community and the friendly smiles from strangers that is unique to living in the country. I think most people would agree that an hour spent stuck in rush hour traffic can be put to much better use.
Coffee or tea? Do you have a favourite café?
Both, actually. I usually favour tea when I’m at home, so in the morning before I leave for the shop and then at night once I’ve returned. When I’m at the shop, you’ll find me at Brewhouse Coffee Roasters at least twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, getting my caffeine fix and having a chat to the lovely staff who work there. Cortillé is definitely another favourite for breakfast and lunch.
Where was the last great meal you enjoyed/shared in the country?
The last great meal was recently in Kyneton. We always time our travels to coincide with pizza from Pizza Verde in Piper Street. It’s definitely a favourite of ours and wood fired pizza is hard to beat. Ida Red in Macedon is a new addition to our list and also a definite must-try.
It’s the weekend and I’m staying in Bendigo (a big country town!). How could I best spend my days?
Well, firstly I’d probably get breakfast and coffee maybe at Cortillé or any of the other amazing cafes found here. There is no excuse not to have a look at our art gallery, which hosts some amazing guest exhibitions and the classic paintings in the permanent collection is something I never get sick of. A walk down View Street allows an opportunity to uncover hidden treasures and if that doesn’t fulfill the antique/treasure hunt I would head out to Rust Devils or Bendigo Pottery for hours of treasure hunting. Obviously, a visit to Bendigo isn’t complete without coming here to say ‘Hi’ at Made in Common. I am always up for a good chat over a whisky or two…
Would you ENCOURAGE others to live a country life? Why/why not?
I would definitely encourage everyone to at least come and experience country life. Learn about where your food comes from, how your goods are made and the traditions and knowledge that have led us to where we are today. We might prefer a simple life but the understanding that comes from being involved in a community that values the crafts and traditions of our past has much to offer.
What ADVICE would you give those dreaming of setting up a small business in a small town?
Firstly, do not think it’s easy. It’s definitely not all coffee and warehouse studio. It’s hard work and often very stressful. Paying bills takes some of the glamour out of the artisan life and turning a hobby/passion into a job definitely runs the risk of taking the enjoyment out of it. Saying that, if you are prepared to tackle the challenges it is extremely rewarding to meet people who value your craft and enjoy being in your space. Be prepared to take it slow and make sure you appreciate your husband/wife/partner/family/fiancé as they will have to put up with a lot of your stress and exhaustion. Each day is a challenge and I am learning with each step, I am far from having it mastered but I hope that my customers can see and appreciate my passion for what I do.
What can we expect NEXT from you/Whisky & Wolf in the future?
My goal is to keep refining my crafts and continue to push my skills and knowledge. I’m continuing to expand my product range and bespoke work and hope to one day be able to tackle shoe making as well. I’d love to explore all the avenues of my craft and also hope to establish some courses where I can pass on my knowledge to those wanting to learn.
What would be your DREAM project/collaboration?
Leather-wise, I’d love to tackle some bigger projects that push my skills and knowledge to the next level, collaborating with a saddle maker or boot maker would be amazing. With my photography, I’d love to continue working with various artisans, telling their stories and capturing beautiful images of their processes.
Can you list for us 5 specific things you turn to/do when you need of a ‘dose’ of city life?
1. Visit Melbourne’s galleries.
2. Seek out artisans such as Jess from Wootten in Prahran.
3. Explore the interesting shops located along Gertrude Street, Smith Street and Brunswick Street.
4. Find a brunch/lunch spot among the many located just outside of Melbourne’s CBD.
5. Find a treasure in the many secondhand/antique/junk shops popping up all over Melbourne.
The Countryphiles 