The one trait that has struck me as uniform across the crafting community is their generosity with their time, and the desire to share their love of craft. Cherryl MacIntyre kindly invited me to come and view her work and her studio which is in her home. As soon as I walked in I was amazed, I didn’t understand the potential for leather until I saw the incredible variety of things Cherryl crafted. Of course there were wallets, belts and handbags, all exquisitely made; but also jewellery, wall hanging artworks, leather corsages, flowers, hair pieces and many more surprising creations.
Cherryl is president of the Queensland Leather crafters Association, which has been around for many years, with the aim to support the sharing of leather craft knowledge, and foster the growth of this craft practice.
Cherryl began making leather long before she became involved with the Leather crafters Association. Back in 1974 she was living in Toowoomba and met a young couple who made stamped leather belts and intrigued by this she decided to give it a go. Purchasing a basic kit with a book, tools, leather dyes and sealers, she began her work with leather, a love affair that has prospered ever since.
Reading her biography it is the kind of career many of us dream of – since she began crafting in 1974 Cherryl has never stopped working in the field she loves, and has forged a successful career for herself. She continues to be sought after as a teacher of leather craft, and her goods are distributed widely.
Cherryl recently won the Al Stohlman award for leather, a major award for which she flew to Wyoming in the USA and competed against leather crafters from all over the world and was selected as the recipient of this prestigious award for her long term contribution to the sector. This was a very special event in Cherryl’s career.
Written by Cate Brown, curator of Craft Revolution
Images: Cherryl McIntyre working, examples of Cherryl's diverse leather work, 2008
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