Emporium Custom Leathers, LLC

01/14/2024

I’m here. I’m still alive. Just working on school and work at the moment. Hoping to get back into the studio this summer.

11/06/2022

Update on the unpacking of the new studio. Almost ready to get back to work

10/19/2022

Do I have any friends or business colleagues that would be interested in gridwalls and gridwall shelves for shows? I am in the process of switching up my branding and will no longer need them. DM me if interested. Location: Somerville MA- pick up only

09/29/2022

Farewell Lydia Pinkham Laboratories it was a wild ride. It is a bittersweet view as I close the door for the last time.
Onto the next chapter back at Joy Street Studios.

08/29/2022

Full Circle- returning to familiar diggs

Hi All,
I just wanted to keep you all updated on what is going on in leather land :) Recently I have been lamenting my absence from the studio. It is no secret that a multitude of life events have contributed to my absence as well as the fact that the studio is no longer a convenient distance from my home and work.

I had been considering even shutting down the studio and putting most of it in storage to make due with a little space at home to work, but that quickly became an unviable situation.
Luckily I found a space closer to the house and a bit smaller and will be returning to the building of my first official studio.

The Lydia Pinkham Building was a wonderful home for these last 5 or 6 years but it is time to bring things back to basics.

Returning to Joy Street Studios feels a bit surreal; returning back to where it originally started but now with so much more experience under my belt. Walking back into the halls of that building was like coming home. The familiarity of the building and the memories of having a space in which to focus on creativity rather than on production is just what I have been missing.

Yes, I will still take custom orders from my website and you can always reach out to me for something in particular; however, my focus will be more on experimentation with new techniques, honing new skills and perfecting branding and marketing info.

Moving forward I am going to be slowing transitioning from Emporium Custom Leathers to the new brand " j.bradbury" over the next couple of years. My focus will be on more mainstream fine leather goods like Handbags, Messenger bags, wallets, belts and even ...shocker....some non-leather clothing!

In anticipation of this move from Lynn, MA back to Sommerville, MA, I will be downsizing. If I have any local friends that are interested in leather and or fabric, please stay tuned, as I will be randomly posting things for sale, and free to a good home.
If there is somethig specific that you think I might be getting rid of or something you might want to call dibs on if I decide to let it go, please feel free to reach out to me directly via pm, email or text.

01/17/2022

08/16/2021

The end of an era. Out with the old and in with the new. Congratulations to Valhalla's Horde Leather! Best of luck and success!!!!

07/08/2021

Looks like retro Mod style is the trend this year:
https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/cool-new-bags/slide4

These six cool new bags are already favorites among celebs and fashion insiders. Here are the ones to know.

07/02/2021

Friends,
I started working at the NYRF when I was just 18 years old. My first job was working for Roy Peterson at Swords and Shields pushing the infamous “Big Red Rollie Thing”. A few short years later (you could call it serendipity) a very good friend introduced me to Heidi Hooper, owner of The Nero Emporium and the rest, as they say, is history. I have been working, apprenticing, teaching, creating and vending ever since and I’m not sure how to say this other than to just rip the bandaid off and say it….

After 21 years working and vending at 15 Lakeside Market, and over a decade as the owner of Emporium Custom Leathers, I have decided to retire from the NY Renfaire.

I have been struggling with this decision for many years because I absolutely LOVE being a part of this crazy fairemily, but friends…. it’s time. It’s time for me to get back to falling in love with the work for the work’s sake, time for me to stretch and grow and pursue alternate artistic endeavors; to give myself the permission to play and learn new skills.
Some of you already know that I have been focusing more and more on making small batch, limited or one-of-a-kind, high end leather handbags, messenger bags and accessories and I will continue with this trajectory and eventually transition my products to the brand name j.bradbury .

Some of you may already know Squirl, who am I kidding, who doesn’t know Squirl ???? How could you not know her and love her just as I do. I am so very happy and proud that she and her business partner Adam will be taking over the booth and officially vending under their own company name, Valhalla’s Horde. It gives me such peace of mind that she will be the third generation of a women owned and operated business in a very male dominated craft like leatherwork. Although, she was already owner of Vallhalla’s Horde when we met and joined forces, we have grown and learned together. We have taught each other as much as we have learned from each other and as I look back at my own progress since taking over from Heidi so many years ago, I can feel only excitement and anticipation to see how much further than me, she will progress. I can’t think of a better person to leave you with than her.

I will not be at NYRF in person for the 2021 season to due Covid concerns for some of my high risk family members; however, I will still have available stock and it will be available for sale at the booth on a first come first served basis. I will not be taking special orders, instead I will leave you in the talented and capable hands of Valhalla’s Horde and their unique artistic vision.

As much as this sounds like a final goodbye, please know that it is not a goodbye forever; Squirl and Adam have also been gracious enough to allow me to vend under them as a guest artist in 2022 where the remaining leather clothing stock in inventory will be sold off.

Friends, It has been my great honor and privilege to be a part of your world and you certainly will always be a part of mine.

Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet again!

All the best –
Lady Jess

Valhalla's Horde Leather Linda Gardner Jamie Tooker Robin Silvernail Purdy Matt Cowart Aubrie Purdy Kelsey Wolf Stephanie Morell Robert Purdy Madison Paige Elizabeth Keller Adam M Breedlove Shana Romano Harold Rodriguez hooper