40 under 40: Meet Bonnie Dale

Every Monday, we will be celebrating one of our 40 under 40 makers.

This week we are focusing on Bonnie Dale, a 19 year old saddler from West Cork. She is busy doing her Saddlery Course at Capel Mannor College as well as working part time at the weekends in a saddlery doing repairs and starting up her own business.

Let's get to know more about Bonnie below.

Tell us a bit about what you do?

Hi, I’m Bonnie Dale. I’m 19 years old and I am in my second year of a saddlery course in Capel Manor College in London. I’m from West Cork, Ireland, and moved here to do this course.
I work at Harley Equestrian on the weekends doing repairs on everything from saddles to designer handbags.
I am also starting my own business making small leather goods such as belts, dog collars, leather bracelets, etc. All things I can make in between college and work.


How did you get into making leather goods/ What or who maybe who inspired you to start making?

In secondary school, I always enjoyed the practical subjects and loved making things with my hands. I grew up around horses and compete with my horse back at home in Ireland. I worked in a top young horse eventing yard every chance I could get for three years whilst I was still in secondary school.
After I finished my A levels I decided I was going to do Architecture at a university in Ireland but was first going to have a gap year as I was only 17 years old. Then I found the 2 year saddlery course online. I was really interested in this course as it could learn a new skill, still work with horses and make things by hand. The plan was to finish this course and possibly go back and do architecture, but now that I am in my second year and loving working with leather I want to keep working with it and enjoying what I am doing. My weekend job doing repairs in Harley Equestrian is giving me great experience in the real world of leather, and I am really loving it.

What is your favourite product to make/favourite commission piece?

My favourite thing to make are custom pieces. I enjoy designing an item alongside the customer and making their ideas come to life. I love that the customer will have their special items forever, as leather is a long lasting natural material.

What do you love most about working with leather?

What I love most about working with leather is how every piece is different and that it is never the same every day.

What are your next goals/ Have you got any exciting new projects lined up?

I am currently making a few competition pieces for National Saddlers Competition. I am spending a-lot of time on these and paying attention to the details.
I am also finishing a business plan to start my own business as soon as I can.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a leather worker or who has just started out?

The advice I would give would be to never stop learning, which is the advice my tutor has given to me. There is always new things to learn from others, new ways to do things and new techniques to try out.
 
What does it mean to you to be included in the 40 under 40 list?

I’m still pinching myself, I feel so honoured to be in the 40 under 40 with all these talented leatherworkers. I am so grateful to have been chosen as I am just starting out in my career. It has given me huge motivation, seeing all the amazing creators being celebrated.

How important do you think it is to keep traditional techniques alive in the modern world?

I think that it is very important to respect the traditional techniques and to learn from them as they have been tried and tested throughout the years. I believe that you should use them where they are needed but don’t be restricted by them in this modern world.

What have you done to keep relevant in a digital age?

Being active and up to date on social media is key! I have a Facebook and Instagram page where I post updates on what I am working on in college, at work and some of my personal projects. I am also in the process of making an Etsy shop. I think it is so important to use these free platforms to connect with people all over the world and showcase your work.

What is the biggest challenge to becoming successful in your discipline?

I think the biggest challenge to becoming successful in this discipline is not having enough time. There are so many projects and things I would love to make, although I have to keep reminding myself I go to college and have work. I am focusing on making to most out of my saddlery course and learning as much as I can. I am also finishing my business plan, so I avoid rushing into projects and taking on too much. I really am so excited to see where this beautiful skill will take me in the future.


To join this network of great makers, please follow Bonnie's Instagram page HERE