For Easton resident Richard Montanaro, a fascination with leatherwork began during his Catholic grammar school years, while in fifth grade, he and his friends began making slingshots.
“I needed something that would not rip and be effective for a pouch. I came upon the solution. I decided to cut up my (school property) RED leather pen and pencil holder. It wasn’t long before the nuns found out, and I learned two valuable lessons that day: Destroying school property was a really bad idea, and leather is really cool to work with,” says Montanaro.
During his freshman year at Southern Connecticut State University, he and a woman friend would always go to craft shows. That year for his birthday, she bought him a few leather tools, a bottle of dye, and a strip of leather. As a result, he not only made his belt – he sold it!
He then realized that he not only wanted to learn more about this craft, but could make some money at it. His first “shop” was in a college apartment and consisted of a cinder block to tool belts on! By Junior year, he was organizing the Southern Connecticut Christmas Crafts show with 30 or more vendors, while completing his studies.
Over the years, he found that working with leather, like any craft, is soulful work, since it is about the art of communication with a medium, focus, inspiration, creativity, drive, persistence, humility and learning what customers want.
Leatherwork is Olde World craftsmanship and hand-made expressions in an otherwise mass-produced and sometimes very shoddy products market.
“I have been enjoying leatherwork since college – almost 30 years, and it has always been part-time or less. Regrettably, it has not been scalable to a full time job living in Fairfield County. I also have a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, CA, with 25 plus years of corporate Fortune 500 HR Generalist experience and technology enabled Learning and Leadership Development. I am currently a career assessment Coach and University Professor, states Montanaro.
It took 10 years to complete his academic “journey” having endured the loss of his brother, tragically killed on his Harley by a cell-distracted driver. His brother was only 44, and the father of two children.
“Leatherwork has kept me sane, somewhat balanced, throughout these losses and was always there to channel my grief. Leather work has always been my refuge for managing through the angst life presents. My fully functional leather shop, which is located in my basement, is a place of solitude from all of the other demands competing for my time. Sometimes it’s also a a great place for a family chat, and other times, a place to learn from my mistakes, “ claims Montanaro.
Richard and his beautiful leatherwork can local craft shows in Fairfield, Milford and Bethel. His products have been displayed at Silver Ribbon in Westport, knife shops, and Etsy.
To view and purchase Richard’s work, please visit his website. He also has pieces for sale at Greiser’s Market in Easton, CT.
His work is really amazing. He even does some leather repair work.
The Cultural Easton 