A Heritage Worth Honoring
Provident Leather harkens back to a time when things were made by hand, one at a time. The way our grandfathers made things. The way they supplied what they needed, what their loved one’s needed. There was no mass production of anything. Each item was produced out of need with a desire to see it last. Much of what they needed could not be pulled from a shelf but was instead crafted from raw materials. With all too often-limited resources, goods produced were hoped to last a lifetime and more. We remember our grandfathers for what they created that has out lived them; whether the families they shaped, the influence they made or the items they crafted. Indeed, much of what they built has out lasted them. Their devotion to posterity and diligence in quality has meant their work will not quickly fade away. Provident Leather calls us to return again to those ideals. Provident means, "making timely provision for the future." What we have is a result of those who have gone before. Let us not forget what our grandfathers forged for us. Let us also continue to forge for future generations a legacy worth remembering. With so many who have little sense of their history, it is time to glance back at what was before. Provident Leather seeks to provide various goods made to order. Just like our grandfathers, if you need it, something can be hand crafted to satisfy your need. There are no templates, no stock goods to pull from. You articulate the item and it will be crafted to your desire. However, all we can do is provide you with an item, an inanimate object that will, with care, outlast you. You are responsible for imparting in that item cherished memories, love, and a legacy worth remembering. A heritage worth honoring. Provident Leather makes the goods, you make them timeless.
Leather isn't like a lot of other materials. I've done construction most of my life... working with wood, concrete and metal. Leather isn't like those other materials. It's more forgiving. Yet each hide has her own personality, her own character to be displayed. It is futile to try and fight the personality of a piece of leather but when you accept her for who she is, she’s a lot more gracious with any mistakes you might make. That's why I just can't bring myself to buy leather online or in bulk. I like to feel the leather I'm buying... to get to know her... to understand her personality. To know where she is tough and where she might be tender. Each of my creations take on a life of her own. I become attached to her and especially if it's a project I've spent a lot of time on, it can be hard to let her go. Every artist hates to part with his creation but there's almost a living connection when it comes to leather that makes the parting harder. Maybe it's the fact that leather indeed comes from life. It was a living breathing life form whether cow, sheep, pig or elk. That animal walked around on this earth but gave itself for the creation of a beautiful piece of art. That's why I love working with leather. It's living art.
~ Andrew R. Herbek