Leather Works

John C. Roberts is a Master Artisan as designated by Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council. He learned his craft, through work in harness shops and leather factories and self-teaching. John augmented his hands-on-learning with travel, museum study and constant reading of trade books and magazines.

A natural outcome of his interest in craftsmanship and history was his first commission from Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Park in 1975 to make leather fire buckets. Stories about John have been featured in Canadian House and Home Magazine, the TV show the Leading Edge and the book Studio Rally. He and his wife Marion opened their store, Leather Works by John C. Roberts, in 1988 to retail a wide variety of leather goods including museum reproductions and contemporary accessories. All leather items sold in the store are made in the adjoining workshop by John and skilled staff working together, fueled by coffee and chocolate. One of last year`s more interesting customers was a movie company that ordered leather fire buckets. Fox is making a movie set in the 18th century called Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, starring Russel Crowe.

About the Art

All products are made of leather.  Some are vegetable tanned, some chrome tanned, some top grain and some split. Prices vary. Visit leather-works.ca for more information.  

Studio

We open the shop around the end of April and stay open until late October. The rest of the year you can call ahead and come see us in the workshop. Email enquiries are always welcome. When visiting the Cabot Trail, come see us.

Leather Works is located on the North-East side of Cape Breton, on the Cabot Trail, halfway between Ingonish and Baddeck.  We are 45 minutes North of Baddeck and 45 minutes south of Ingonish and 1 hour West of Sydney.