GH Leathers
Established in 1998 by Amos Hill, GH Leathers is one of the UK’s leading and most trusted suppliers of premium-quality leather skins and hides, with a core range that you can rely on for repeat purchases for consistent colour and quality.
With over 25 years of industry experience, they are renowned for extensive, carefully curated range of leather materials serving garment manufacturers, fashion designers, upholsterers, and artisans worldwide.
Their inventory includes soft lambskins, durable cowhides, elegant goat and pig suedes, luxurious sheepskins, environmentally conscious vegetable-tanned leathers, and sturdy splits in classic and contemporary finishes.
To ensure fast service they operate from two locations: a large warehouse in Northamptonshire and a dedicated stockholding facility in London. Customers are warmly welcomed at either site to feel the quality first-hand, and receive expert advice from their knowledgeable team. For beginners we really recommend their amazing value mystery boxes and sale items to test out different leathers as you learn and experiment with your shoe making.
Alegos Shoe Making and Podiatry Supplies
The UK’s trusted provider of orthotics, footcare, podiatry, physiotherapy supplies, sensory products, foam sheets & beauty therapy equipment. We rate their excellent service, fast delivery and the best UK prices for small quantities on lots of great products. Ideal for home shoe makers. Our favourite products are Renia Colle De Cologne - a super fast and tacky MEK Free Shoe Gluestrong bond glue, flexofil cork filler for getting those gorgeously clean soles filled and balanced - and for insoles the Texon cellulose insole stiffener boards are excellent quality and incredible value.
We also appreciate their points system, you can use your acquired points on the purchase you are making immediately, and their delivery is fast and reliable. Great because we don't wanna waste days waiting in for nothing, we have inspiration to gather babes!
George Barnsley & Sons Limited
These folks are world class expert leather tool makers.
Specialising in the manufacture of cutting tools for leather workers, their high quality items can be found in workshops all over the world. Their reputation for quality is so good that their tools regularly fetch the same price second hand.
All of their knives and tools are still manufactured in Sheffield, England, the home of quality British steel. They cater for all aspects of leather craft, but specialise in shoemaking, saddlery and harness making. All of the manufacturing processes are completed onsite from the processing of the steel, to the tool assembly, complete with artisan wooden handles made in their sister factory.
Our favourite is the closers pattern hammer which is an absolute steal at £22.50 and an essential shoe makers tool. It fits in the palm of your hand and is perfect for pressing, folding and shaping leather, toe puffs and counter stiffeners.
I Can Make Shoes
I Can Make Shoes was founded founded by Amanda Overs in 2010 with the goal of making leather craft and shoe making more accessible, and beginner-friendly.
They have an online shop which includes beginners kits, shoe lasts and glues as well as handy tools like the safety beveller for scriving your excess leather away once you've closed the shoes.
We love their barefoot lasts, and free patterns to get you started with the basics. They also run workshops in East London, so if you're a city person they may be right for you!
They also have lots of brilliant how-to videos to get you stated on the basics and a nifty little book to guide you through the process if you want to just give it a go at home!
Springline Shoe Lasts
As the old saying goes, the last comes first! Based in Northampton, Springline brings together the finest materials and responsible sourcing to produce lasts made with precision, integrity, and enduring quality.
Regarded as the historic heart of the world’s shoe-making industry, with a heritage that is respected across the globe, Northampton has long been synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship, quality, and tradition in footwear. Founded in 1982, Springline has grown to become the only remaining last manufacturer in Britain, upholding a vital part of the shoemaking process that few still practice.
Every item is handcrafted by our skilled team of craftspeople, who combine traditional techniques with precision and care. We take great pride in continuing to manufacture our products in the very heart of British shoemaking, ensuring that the legacy of Northampton’s world-renowned industry continues to thrive.
We love their expertly crafted shoe lasts and value the exceptional quality and resilience of their products. They also offer courses on last design and manufacture for those of you wishing to expand your knowledge!
Blackbird Tacks
The Blackbird vision & mission is all about the finest materials, high quality coatings, huge variety and superb quality in combination with exceptional customer service. This combined with lush branding, beautiful colours and an stylish website genuinely makes them a gorgeous place to shop and a memorable brand.
Also, their ethics are super cute! Their vision is to become the world’s leading manufacturer of micro and small nails while achieving carbon neutrality and zero impact on the environment. And pretty to boot!
We love their cordwaining collection and in particular the copper plated lasting nails at 30 mm to preserve our cute little fingers while we bash away!
