40 under 40: Meet Kingsley Thompson

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

This week it's Kingsley Thompson, the craftsman behind Kingsley Leather in Cheltenham, after deciding an office job wasn't for him, we are now blessed with the amazing creations coming out of his workshop.

Let's get to know Kingsley with a Q&A session.

Tell us a bit about what you do?

I’m a self-taught craftsman working with leather, based in Cheltenham. I design and craft a range of leather wallets, belts and accessories. I also undertake bespoke leatherworking projects.

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

It all started with my own threadbare wallet, and instead of buying another one that wouldn’t last, I decided to make a new leather wallet for myself. I quickly got hooked on the craft

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

I LOVE crafting my leather bow ties!

What do you love most about working with leather?

Leather is a beautiful natural material and I love the way it gains character over the years. Oh, and that wonderful smell of leather!!

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

In 2023, I’m aiming to start offering some 1-to-1 and small-group tuition/workshops to pass on the skills I have learnt over the last decade, playing my part to help keep the craft alive and thriving.

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

Practice, practice, practice and then practice some more! Try and network with others in the leather community, as there’s a lot to be learnt. Finally, it can take a little while to start to become established, so don’t get disheartened.

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

I’m thrilled to be included in the 40 under 40 list alongside other amazing craftspeople. It feels awesome to get this recognition of my work.

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

I think it’s really important – it’s part of our history. Creating something from scratch using your own two hands is one of the BEST feelings.

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

I’ve learnt to embrace social media. I’ve also digitalised much of my design and pattern making process when creating new products – although every design does still start with a rough sketch by hand!

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

Initially, one of the biggest challenges that I faced was that I didn’t know where to go in order in access information and advice about the craft. Thankfully, it’s much easier these days with the wealth of information that has been made available via the internet.

For more information, please visit https://kingsleyleather.com/

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