Editor’s note, May 2020: In our Featured Shop series, we shine a light on a standout shop from Etsy’s talented seller community, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at their process and story. And as we spend more time at home these days, getting cozy and catching up on our reading lists, we’re taking a moment to revisit some of our favorites—like the story behind this UK-based leather goods shop from January of 2018.
Six years ago, when Kingsley Thompson realized his wallet had become threadbare, he did something unconventional: Instead of buying another, he decided to make a new wallet for himself. A lifelong lover of leather shoes, belts, and bags, Kingsley soon found himself immersed in the traditional craft of leatherwork. “Leather really tells the story of its owner,” he says. “I’m very drawn to the tactile feel and the smell, and I love the way leather ages over time.” Before long, Kingsley’s friends and family were requesting his bespoke designs, and in 2013, the self-taught craftsman launched his eponymous Etsy shop, Kingsley Leather. Two years later, inundated with orders, he made the decision to devote himself to leatherworking full-time.
Explore the Kingsley Leather collection
Today, Kingsley creates his dapper range of handmade wallets, belts, key rings, and cufflinks from his home workshop in Cheltenham, England, using a curated collection of vintage and modern tools. “Leatherwork is quite a rare skill. You can’t always do a Google search to figure out how something might get made,” Kingsley explains. “When someone comes to me for a custom order, I have to use the skills I’ve developed. The challenge is great, and I love that the items I make are sent all over the world and put to use.”
Read on to find out what surprised Kingsley most about working with leather, then shop the collection.

The care and attention to detail you put into your items is obvious. Tell us: What does the idea of handmade mean to you?
I like to promote the provenance and skill behind a handcrafted item. My wallets are all hand-stitched using the traditional saddle stitch method, which is known for its strength and durability. I’m a perfectionist, and I make sure I select the highest quality materials so I can make the best, highest quality product. When I’m making a wallet for someone, it’s a great feeling knowing that it’s something they’re going to be carrying every day.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
I design my pieces to be simple, clean, and timeless. Everything is built to last. I often get requests to do tote bags or other things for ladies, but for my core range I stick to what I know best, and that’s things I would use or wear myself. Most of the stylistic features are included for the functionality as well as the looks. I design according to what’s pleasing to my own eye and my own taste, and hope that like-minded people will be interested. It makes sense to stick with what I know.



Were you surprised by anything when you began working with leather?
When I found myself at the pattern-making stage, I realized that, if I passed someone on the street with a nice bag, I was deconstructing the bag as I walked by! I’ve always thought of myself as a numbers guy, or slightly academic rather than creative. But I took to the leatherwork really quickly.
I’ve also recently gotten back in touch with my grandmother, whom I haven’t seen in 10 years. She told me that my grandfather was a leather shoemaker, and I never knew. Whether or not it was partly in my blood to do this, I don’t know.
How did your style change as your work evolved from a hobby into a full-time business?
The considerations of my time have changed. I build products in an efficient way—the more simple and straightforward something is, the less room there is for it to go wrong. I did more intricate builds before, but when there are more features, sometimes it can fail, and it might not be so easy to repair. A simple design means it lasts longer.

Do any of your designs have a special personal meaning for you?
One design I’m quite proud of is my leather bow tie. That’s one of the items that I made quite early on and have refined as time has gone on. I’m currently on version three, and am over the moon about this current style.
When do you feel most inspired?
I find that my ideas for new products come while I’m out and about, rather than sitting in the workshop. I find inspiration in the designs of older things, like vintage wallets. Or I’ll be inspired by experiences I’ve had. The bow tie came about because I was going to a black-tie event. I was putting on the bow tie that came with the shirt that I bought. Suddenly, it crossed my mind—hey, I can make one of these out of leather, and it would look really nice!




What are some of your most popular gifts?
The leather inlaid cufflinks are quite popular, and I can personalize those with the recipient’s initials—the bow ties as well. One other special thing I do is a made-to-measure belt. In the listing, there are instructions to measure from an existing belt to get a perfect fit. If the gift-giver wants to keep it a surprise, they just need to get ahold of their Valentine’s belt, measure up to the existing hole they use, and I will create a belt that will fit perfectly.
What’s next on the horizon for Kingsley Leather?
I’ve got some new ideas I want to bring into my range this year. I’ll be offering two collections, focusing on weddings and travel. Weddings will include products I already have, like bow ties and cufflinks, and then some new designs. For travel, I’ll have items like ticket wallets and passport holders.
I always say that if you’re looking to be successful, you need to choose something that you’re extremely passionate about. You don’t necessarily need a large financial investment to start, but it does take a lot of hard work and drive. I’m still partway through the journey myself! I have my eyes on my next move.
Follow Kingsley Leather on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Photographs by Kingsley Leather unless otherwise noted.
80 comments
Donna Roberge from DonnaRobergePhoto said 3 years ago
I loved be the simplicity of your designs, beautiful work!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 3 years ago
WOW! What a great way to start a business. Your story and items are great! Thank you for sharing and I wish you the very best on all of your future endeavors.
Kim Cole from BeachDaisyJewelry said 3 years ago
Awesome leather pieces with great design, love the tie! Thank you for sharing photos of your work shop, the shelf/storage board is the perfect way to display and organize your cool vintage and modern leatherwork tools. Congratulations on the feature and continued success!!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 3 years ago
What a lovely shop with great items. Congrats on the feature.
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 3 years ago
Like his style)
DeUno from DeUno said 3 years ago
Great story! Love the workshop! Congratulations on the feature!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 3 years ago
Great leather collection! Congratulations on the feature!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop. I wish you much success :)
Mary Robertson from MaggiesInn said 3 years ago
What a nice story to start the week. Your work is amazing and I like how you combine quality, simplicity and beauty in your products. Wishing you much success with you shop here on Etsy.
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 3 years ago
Beautiful work, Kingsley! All the best!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 3 years ago
Nice shop, congrats on the feature!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 3 years ago
Love your sense of style, beautiful looking shop, congratulations on the feature!
Pardar Chia from NaturaSilver said 3 years ago
Congratulations! completely agree to be passionate in what you are doing. :)
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 3 years ago
Beautiful and quality work! Love the way you organize/display tools! Looks so neat and crisp. Congratulations on the feature!
Tim and Brigita Cornwell from jacobswoodentoys said 3 years ago
Great items! Congratulations on the feature.
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 3 years ago
Awesome shop and designs! Love your workbench, great photos. Best wishes on your travel and wedding ideas.
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 3 years ago
Congrats on the feature Kingsley! Your work is so beautiful and I wish you and your shop much prosperity!
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 3 years ago
Congratulations on your Feature. Your work and your shop are absolutely beautiful. Much continued success!!
Olga Kaplina from KnitteditemsbyOlga said 3 years ago
Great items!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 3 years ago
Amazing work! Congrats!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
I love the feel and the smell of leather as well. My son love to wear bow tie when it's St. Patrick's Day. I am going to try to make one for him. Great story.
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 3 years ago
Terrific story ~ Beautiful shop ! Cheers to much continued success !
One Stop Steampunk Shoppe from OneStopSteamShoppe said 3 years ago
Wow, what a lovely shop! Congrats on the feature!
Graceful Antiques from GracefulAntiquesVtg said 3 years ago
Years ago I actually took leathercrafting in School. So I know what it takes to make these lovely items. Wonderful about your grandfather. I imagine he would be proud. Kudos to you. Lovely items.
Zoryana Zory from MyCheeseBoard said 3 years ago
Wow... Great shop
viena bone from bonesreusablebags said 3 years ago
That bow tie is sharp! And so are the rest of your pieces. Congrats on the feature! I love how your grandpa was a leather tradesman too!
Mande Zierath from ExManusEtMensMandeZ said 3 years ago
These are gorgeous. Not gonna lie, I kinda want a miniature version of that bowtie for my dapper little cat!
Christer and Lena Carlsson from Sandgrens said 3 years ago
So very interesting, and beautiful work!
sunflower33 from StencilsAndCraftsInc said 3 years ago
Beautiful designs!
Prettycasesshop from Prettycasesshop said 3 years ago
Love the items, great work!
Dig Deep Vintage from digdeepvintage said 3 years ago
Wow! That’s talent-congrats! Love your work!
Suzanne Rorick from SRorickArt said 3 years ago
I love your products, especially the belts. Simple designs and classic style ... right up my alley! Congrats on the feature!
Rosemary Lambert from cardhugs said 3 years ago
Some of his products be unlike any I've seen so far, which shows deep thought and creativity have gone into his work. Personal favs are his bow tie and cuff links.
Rosita from pillowlink said 3 years ago
Nice works!
Mykola Polishchuk from PaintingFromArtist said 3 years ago
I'm from Ukraine. My grandfather was a shoemaker. And my uncle was also engaged in skin. I saw their ancient tools and handmade leather products, so I'm well acquainted with this. I can say that you have very similar tools. Looking at your products I see that they are of decent quality and design. This is creative and exclusive work. I wish you, Kingsley Litner, great inspiration and success in your wonderful work!
nicoleswinton2 said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature. Your pieces are timeless.
Denilonil from Denilonil said 3 years ago
love the workshop! wish you all the best
Joanna at Deer Avenue from DeerAvenue said 3 years ago
I can almost smell the leather :) Love the story, designs and the workshop.
Karen Harries from WildForestStudio said 3 years ago
Your grandfather was a leather shoemaker. I just love that. Your work is exquisitely made. Thank you for sharing your story.
Yuri Pysar from Pysar said 3 years ago
thanks for sharing such a cool story! very beautiful work
zmorla12 from Bellacover said 3 years ago
I really like the leather bow.
Eleanor Bennett from Vintageandantiques12 said 3 years ago
I love this story!
Eleanor Bennett from Vintageandantiques12 said 3 years ago
This is what I think of, when I think of Etsy at its best. What an inspiring story! Love handmade & vintage!
Stacy from HappiestCrafts said 2 years ago
Such amazing work!!
Joshua Vignona said 1 year ago
I really enjoy the classic timelessness of your designs. Congrats on being featured! Joshua Vignona
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 279 days ago
Lovely shop and items. Congrats on the feature.
Julia from FavoriteToyStore said 279 days ago
Good work
Lucy Phillips-Munguia from SaddlemountainJewels said 279 days ago
Beautiful workmanship, you have lots of talent.
Anna from SublimationDesignsAn said 278 days ago
I didn't think you could make a mouse pad out of leather. It's chic.
Carolynne DeLisle from NonnasNuttyKrafts said 278 days ago
I just love the smell of leather! I love how new leather starts changing color over time to a more lush color and how it softens up. who doesn't love a purse or wallet? Great designs!
CONNIE MCCORMICK from WreathsbyConnieM said 278 days ago
Love leather products
Anna from LissiKids said 278 days ago
I’m always interested in reading such stories - brand building stories. These leather accessories are amazing! Thanks you!
Agnieszka from Makramianki said 278 days ago
Very good idea for a business. Lovely and very interesting items. :)
Anna Sypalo from XstitchbyAnna said 278 days ago
Lovely shop! And the owner has a very kind smile:)
Ekaterina from katrinshinesupplies said 278 days ago
VEry simple and amazing! Great gift for any men!
Watchchas from WCBandsandLeather said 271 days ago
I love your work and your design! It is so exciting to see others like myself making a living working with leather and taking pride in the work they do!
Carol from MasCollected said 270 days ago
Enjoyed revisiting you and your shop Kingsley. Thank you, Amy and Sharon for the interlude. Kingsley, I hope to introduce your shop to one of my son-in-laws. I know he would love it! Best wishes.
Carolina from Agirlwithfeathers said 270 days ago
I love the variety of your items! Beautiful work!
ciaffi from ciaffi said 268 days ago
Great work!!!!! Complimemts!!! :-) :-)
Taylor Dunworth from taydunworth said 265 days ago
This is beautiful work that anyone could appreciate. I love being able to see the photos of the workshop as well!
kimberly Rush from MindsetGym said 265 days ago
These are beautiful. I love seeing the process of how they are made.
Lira Allayarova from LiraAllayarova said 265 days ago
This is very beautiful. I make too Clothes for a comfortable life made of natural wool and silk.
Anastasia from YourAdventureInGlass said 264 days ago
The inscription is very consistent with the spirit of our time! Nice catch!
Mariya from MagicArtForYou said 264 days ago
Look how amazing these products are!I'm thrilled! Stylish and original. Men will love these gifts.
Lira Allayarova from LiraAllayarova said 264 days ago
Leather products have always been relevant. Like felted products, where I put all my strength. Recently, she has been fond of belts. Your products are beautiful! I wish further development and grateful customers.
branda Moreno from branda said 263 days ago
Great work!!!!! Compliments!!! :-) :-)
Olga Mironova from PorcelainKingdom said 261 days ago
it is always so fascinating to wander around someone's working place, to feel the atmosphere, catch the details. Thank you Etsy for sharing!
Nina from OriginalJewelrByNina said 261 days ago
Очень интересно,спасибо что поделились! Очень понравилась бабочка! Удачи и процветания магазинчику!
Elena from TINARTEprintables said 261 days ago
Que trabajaso! What a great work is done!
Aticha Thongchai from GetWellPlan said 260 days ago
Your process is so neat. Thanks for sharing!
Marcy said 260 days ago
Gorgeous work and a happy smile! I love the way your work tools are organized and all the care you take creating beautiful things.
Renee from OhReallyRenee said 256 days ago
Love this shop! That leather tie is my favorite, but all your leathers look real soft!
blueprintz Custom Printables said 255 days ago
💙
Deborah Angilletta from deborahgayle said 252 days ago
Your work is beautiful!
Pure Art from PureArtPlus said 244 days ago
Pure and simple, love it
Dolce from Dolce3D said 236 days ago
Kingsley is a real artisan, he deserve all the success. Great products and great story behind!
Liz Olson from LightingByLiz said 232 days ago
Beautiful workmanship!
Aletha said 215 days ago
Love the pic of ur work.just want to knw have u consider making leather choker necklace.i think they would b very nice.Stay strong and Gd luck in ur Business.Great job
Piavazelle from gOGwall said 188 days ago
WOW! QUALITY!
Victoria Ferrell from x4rcyvzx said 136 days ago
I look at your work and my mind says, "This man has found his calling." Truly, your work is absolutely stunning. I am overwhelmed by the clean, elegant lines... the process and the finished product take my breath away. These are works of art! The fact that you are self taught is inspiring. It makes e feel like any individual with an idea, determination, dedication, and sweat equity can produce something of lasting value and beauty. Thank you.