My name is Kalev Kivimäe, a self-taught leather craftsman hailing from a small town in Estonia. Design has always captivated me, and I admire people who invest time to handcraft something unique. Although I had an innate desire to create, it wasn’t until I stumbled upon leathercrafting that I discovered my passion. Despite my initial unsuccessful attempts, I persisted, realizing that perfecting this art would require dedication and a lot of practice. My desire to continuously improve my craft is what drives me, and I find great satisfaction in creating something better than my previous work.

Vegetable-tanned leather has an inexplicable charm that enthralls me. The texture, aroma, creaking sound, and the way it develops character with age are all mesmerizing. It almost feels like each piece of leather tells its own story.

I take pride in using traditional methods in my craft. The less machinery between me and my project, the more authentic and remarkable the outcome. Every piece is hand-cut, hand-stitched, and hand-finished with my own to hands.

– Kalev Kivimäe