Learn to Work with Leather: 

If you've ever watched a skilled craftsperson stitch a leather bag by hand and thought, I want to learn how to do that - well, this is for you.

The Leather Crafting Residency is the foundational program of ColsenKeane, our handcrafted leather goods studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Over 10 weeks, you'll step inside a working studio and learn the craft of leatherwork from the ground up, with real tools, real materials, and real artisans guiding you every step of the way.

What to Expect

This is a hands-on, immersive experience, not a classroom lecture. From your first week, you'll be working with the same tools our leathersmiths use every day: awls, needles, mallets, and more. All tools are provided for your use throughout the program, so you can walk in ready to learn without needing to source anything on your own.

No prior leather crafting experience? No problem. The Residency is designed with beginners in mind. If you do have some background in the craft, you'll find plenty of room to grow and refine your skills alongside those just getting started.

What You'll Learn

By the end of your 10 weeks, you'll have hands-on experience in:

• Hand stitching, including ColsenKeane's own unique stitching method
• Setting rivets and affixing hardware components like buckles
• Forming bags, including production of our iconic Satchel
• Small goods production like wallets and other foundational leather pieces
• Tools of the trade, including how to properly handle and use awls, needles, and mallets

You won't just learn techniques in isolation. You'll understand how they come together in the production of goods that are built to last.

Who Can Apply

The Leather Crafting Residency is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Whether you're exploring a new creative path, looking to develop a vocational skill, or simply passionate about handcrafted goods, everyone is welcome to apply.

For university and college students, we're happy to work with you and your academic advisors to help you earn course credit for your time in the Residency. Reach out and we'll make it as seamless as possible.

Why ColsenKeane

Our studio has been rooted in the belief that handcrafted quality is worth protecting. When you join the Residency, you're not just learning a skill. You're learning a tradition. You'll work alongside trained artisans in the same Charlotte studio where ColsenKeane goods are made, giving you a genuine, immersive look at what it means to create something truly by hand.

Ready to get your hands on some leather? Applications for the Leather Crafting Residency are open. We'd love to have you in the studio.