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40 under 40: Meet Georgina Tym

Monday, 13 February 2023
Georgina Tym 

Every Monday we are celebrating one of our 40 under 40 makers.

This week we are talking to Georgina Tym from Hands of Tym, the business she runs whilst splitting her time doing repairs and teaching. Let's get to know her with our Q&A.

Tell us a bit about what you do?

I am a leather bag designer, maker and enthusiast at heart, I’ve been creating, crafting and teaching leatherwork for over 10 years. Whilst I work mostly with leather, I also enjoy using fabrics and leather alternatives, including beautiful vegan options. I work from my workshop in Banbury, splitting my time between bespoke work, repairs, teaching and running my business Hands of Tym. The craft is more than work to me. It’s a passion I live and breathe.

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

My passion for making things started at an early age, I was always fascinated by how things were crafted and by materials of all kinds. I loved art and textiles while at school and always dreamt to one day run a bespoke craft and making business. I followed my interests and studied at the London College of Fashion, where I studied Bags and Accessories Design and Technology. My passion for leather was sparked here, where I instantly felt at home. This love for leather and bag making has never left me and I love to share this love and passion with others as a tutor and as a designer/ maker.

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

I love making the Hazel bag, a drawstring bucket bag which I offer in a few sizes. This is also the foundation for my most popular 'Bag in a Day' crafting course, which I teach here in Banbury, Oxfordshire. It is truly amazing to design a bag and then see it reimagined over and over by crafters who visit the workshop to participate in the bag making workshop.


What do you love most about working with leather?

Leather is such a versatile and expansive material, there is so much opportunity within it. There are so many different types, either by origin, tannage or finishes, so it never gets boring. I find it the source of so much of my creativity and the best thing is the end result is beautiful but evolving so the relationship with the item continues. There is not much you make that gets better and better as it ages.


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

My future goals are to keep growing Hands of Tym, expand my product range and continue to share my love of bag making and leathercraft through my bespoke products, leather courses and DIY kits.

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

Never stop learning, work hard and don't give up!


What does it mean to you to be included on the 40 under 40 list?

I am so happy and honoured for the recognition for my lifetime of work within the leather industry, and I have been so overjoyed to meet others through the process who share the same passion. And how amazing to attend the repair workshop with Suzie from the BBC Repair Shop! Thank you, Abbey!


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

They are so very important as they hold the foundation of all crafts and help to problem-solve and move forward in the modern design world.

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

I have worked hard to set up a new website, increased the use of video and social media to communicate with customers. Also, during the lockdown of 2020 started online learning, worked on distance learning offerings with DIY bag kits which was a lifesaver to the business at this time. During this time, I also massively improved ecommerce offerings.

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

Honestly the biggest challenge is to keep going, it is hard when money is tight, work is hard, hours are long and workshops are cold brrr...but it is my passion and I couldn't imagine life any other way.

For more information, please visit https://lnk.bio/MAOT

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