Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering and commissions
How do I purchase something?
Ready to Ship items can be purchased through their product listings when available.
For Made to Order items, begin by completing the enquiry form on the Made to Order page. I will confirm the available options, expected lead time and final price before sending an invoice.
If you are interested in something designed specifically for you, please contact me to discuss a bespoke commission.
What does Ready to Ship mean?
Ready to Ship items have already been made and are available for immediate purchase. The photographs in the listing show the actual item being offered, including its particular leather grain and character.
These items do not require a making period and will normally be dispatched within the timeframe stated in the listing. Availability is limited, and an item may not be produced again in exactly the same combination of leather, colour and fittings.
What is the difference between Made to Order and Bespoke?
Made to Order begins with an established Gibson Handcraft design. You can select from the leathers, colours, fittings and other options available for that item, but its underlying design and construction remain unchanged.
Bespoke work begins with an individual brief. It may involve developing new proportions, patterns, templates, construction details or features for a particular person and purpose.
How does the Made to Order process work?
Begin by completing the enquiry form and selecting the item you are interested in. We will discuss the available materials and options, after which I will confirm the price and estimated lead time.
Made to Order items priced at $250 or less require full payment before work begins. For orders over $250, a 50% deposit is generally required, with the remaining balance payable when the item is complete and before dispatch or collection.
How do I commission a bespoke item?
The process begins with a conversation about what you need, how the item will be used and any practical or aesthetic preferences you have.
After the initial enquiry, I will normally provide an indicative price guide or minimum. If the project and budget are reasonably aligned, we can develop an agreed design brief. I will then prepare a final quotation.
Detailed design work begins once the quotation has been accepted and the deposit paid.
Can an existing Gibson Handcraft design be altered?
Some changes to leather, colour, thread, hardware or other details can usually be accommodated within Made to Order.
Changes to an item’s dimensions, internal arrangement, structure or construction may require new patterns and development work. Where a change substantially alters the established design, the project may need to be treated as bespoke.
What items can you make?
My work includes belts, card holders, wallets, folios, cases, shoulder bags, satchels, briefcases and related leather goods.
Bespoke enquiries are welcome where the proposed item is suited to my materials, methods and style of construction. If a project falls outside my area of work, I will be straightforward about that from the beginning.
How much will my item cost?
Each Made to Order design has an established starting price, which includes the options specified in its listing, such as the choice of leather colour. Further customisation, including personalisation, may be available for an additional charge.
Bespoke work is individually quoted because the amount of design development and handwork varies considerably between projects.
How is bespoke work priced?
After an initial enquiry, I will normally provide an indicative price guide or minimum based on the proposed item and its likely complexity. This allows us to establish whether the project and budget are reasonably aligned before proceeding further.
Once the requirements have been discussed and the design brief agreed, I will prepare a final quotation. This includes both the making of the finished item and the design and development work required to create it.
Any substantial changes to the agreed brief may require the quotation to be revised.
Why does bespoke work cost more than Made to Order?
Made to Order begins with a design whose proportions, patterns and construction methods have already been developed and tested.
A bespoke item may require drawings, pattern and template development, prototypes, test components and the resolution of entirely new construction details. Its price reflects this development process as well as the materials and considerable handwork involved in making the finished item.
Do you require a deposit?
Made to Order items priced at $250 or less require full payment before work begins. For Made to Order items over $250 and bespoke commissions, a 50% deposit is generally required. The remaining balance is payable once the item is complete and before dispatch or collection.
Because these items are made specifically for you, payments may not be refundable if you cancel after materials have been ordered or work has begun. The applicable payment and cancellation terms will be confirmed with your quotation. This does not affect your rights under Australian Consumer Law.
Can you copy an item made by another maker?
Reference photographs can be helpful in communicating particular features, proportions or a general direction. However, I will not directly reproduce another maker’s original design.
For bespoke work, these references can instead be used as a starting point for developing an individual Gibson Handcraft design suited to your requirements.
Can you incorporate a sentimental material or personal object?
Potentially. Textiles, existing fittings and other meaningful materials can sometimes be incorporated into a bespoke design.
I will need to assess their condition, strength and suitability first. Delicate materials may need to be backed, framed or used decoratively so that they do not perform a structural role.
Do you offer monogramming or personalisation?
Monogramming is available on suitable items. The available size, position and finish depend on the design and leather selected.
Personalised items cannot usually be returned for a change of mind, so the details will be confirmed carefully before work begins.
Materials and making
Do you make everything yourself in Australia?
Yes. Every Gibson Handcraft item is made by me in my workshop in Willaston, South Australia.
I do not outsource the cutting, stitching, assembly or edge finishing. Leather, thread and fittings are sourced from specialist suppliers in Australia and overseas according to their suitability for each item.
Where do you source your leather?
I use leathers from respected Australian and international tanneries and suppliers. These include Australian kangaroo and vegetable-tanned leathers, English bridle leather, Italian vegetable-tanned leather and selected specialist leathers from elsewhere.
The choice is based on the requirements of the item rather than country of origin alone. Structure, thickness, temper, finish, durability and the way a leather ages all influence whether it is suitable for a particular design.
What leathers, colours and hardware options are available?
The available options vary between designs. Not every leather or fitting is appropriate for every item, so I offer a considered selection rather than every possible combination.
I am happy to help you choose materials that suit the item’s intended use and the appearance you would like it to develop over time.
Can I order leather samples?
Yes. A selection of suitable leather and colour samples can be posted within Australia for $15, covering preparation, postage and handling.
Samples are particularly useful when comparing colours or when the character and surface of the leather are important to your decision.
Will my item look exactly like the photographs?
Product photographs show the design and general appearance of an item, but leather is a natural material. Grain, tone and surface character can vary between hides and even within the same hide.
These variations are part of the material rather than faults. A Ready to Ship listing will show the actual item being offered unless stated otherwise.
Can you match a particular colour?
I can often coordinate leather with a reference item or colour, but an exact match cannot always be guaranteed.
Lighting, screen settings, natural variation between hides and the way leather changes with use can all affect its appearance. A physical sample is more reliable than a photograph when a close colour relationship is important.
Private tuition
Do you offer private leathercraft tuition?
Yes. I offer private one-to-one leathercraft tuition by arrangement at my workshop in Willaston, South Australia.
Tuition can be tailored to your experience, interests and the skills you would like to develop. This may include hand stitching, cutting, edge finishing, tool use, pattern work and construction techniques.
Please contact me with some information about your current experience and what you would like to learn. I can then suggest a suitable session and confirm the duration and cost.
Timing, delivery and returns
How long will my order take?
Lead times depend on the item, my current workload and whether materials need to be ordered.
Made to Order items will normally have an expected lead time shown or provided during the enquiry. Bespoke work can take longer because it includes design development as well as construction. I will provide an estimate before you make a payment and let you know if circumstances change.
Do you ship throughout Australia and internationally?
Standard shipping is free for deliveries within Australia, with Express Post available at an additional cost. Tracking details are provided once the item has been dispatched.
International availability depends on the destination and type of order. Shipping may be quoted separately where it cannot be calculated at checkout. Import duties, taxes and other destination charges are the customer’s responsibility.
Ready to Ship and Made to Order items are not currently offered to customers in the European Union. Bespoke enquiries from the EU may be considered individually.
Can I collect my order from the workshop?
Collection from my workshop in Willaston, South Australia, may be arranged by appointment.
As this is a working workshop rather than a retail premises, please wait until I have confirmed that your item is ready and arranged a suitable collection time before visiting.
Can a Made to Order, bespoke or personalised item be returned?
Made to Order, bespoke and personalised items cannot normally be returned because you have changed your mind, as they have been made or altered specifically for you.
Unused and non-personalised Ready to Ship items may be returned within 14 days in accordance with the Shipping and Returns Policy. This does not limit any rights you may have under Australian Consumer Law.
Repairs, restoration and care
What is the Gibson Handcraft Lifetime Care Policy?
The Lifetime Care Policy provides eligible Gibson Handcraft items with free repairs for damage arising through normal use, reasonable wear and tear, and faults in workmanship.
It applies to the original purchaser or original gift recipient and must be registered within nine months of purchase. For items purchased directly from Gibson Handcraft, either in person or through the website, registration will usually be handled on the customer’s behalf. Items purchased through an external retailer or other source may need to be registered by the purchaser.
The policy is non-transferable, and customers are responsible for the cost of sending items to and from the workshop.
Intentional damage, neglect, misuse, abnormal or accidental damage, unauthorised alterations, and repairs carried out by other people are not covered. Please see the full Lifetime Care Policy for complete terms.
Do you repair leather goods made by other makers?
Yes. Suitable leather goods made by other makers may be accepted for repair or restoration following an assessment.
This work is quoted separately and is not covered by the Gibson Handcraft Lifetime Care Policy.
What types of leather goods do you repair?
I primarily repair and restore well-made leather goods such as bags, satchels, briefcases, cases, wallets and belts.
Possible work includes replacing worn stitching, reinforcing damaged areas, repairing or replacing straps and handles, attending to edges and linings, and replacing suitable fittings where compatible parts can be obtained.
Each item must be assessed individually before I can confirm whether the proposed work is practical.
Are there any leather items you do not repair?
I do not repair leather clothing or jackets, upholstered furniture, vehicle upholstery or car interiors. These require different equipment and specialist techniques.
What is the difference between repair and restoration?
A repair is primarily intended to return an item to sound, functional condition. This might involve replacing failed stitching, strengthening a damaged area or replacing a worn component.
Restoration considers the item more broadly. It may include several repairs together with careful cleaning, conditioning, edge work, sympathetic replacement of missing components and other work intended to preserve the item’s usefulness and character.
The terms sometimes overlap, but restoration generally requires a wider assessment of the item as a whole.
Will restoration make my item look new again?
Usually not, and that is rarely the aim. Older leather goods acquire wear, patina and character that form part of their history.
My approach is to preserve as much sound original material as possible, address structural or functional problems and improve the item sympathetically. Signs of age will often remain visible after restoration.
How much do repairs cost?
Repair and restoration work is individually quoted. The cost depends on the item’s construction, the extent and accessibility of the damage, the materials required and the amount of handwork involved.
A repair that appears simple from the outside may require careful dismantling and reassembly. Hidden damage can also become apparent once work begins. I will explain any uncertainty and obtain approval before carrying out work beyond the agreed scope.
How do I request a repair or restoration?
Please begin by sending clear photographs of the complete item, the damaged area and any relevant internal construction. Include a brief description of the problem, the item’s approximate age if known, and what you would like the work to achieve.
I can often provide an initial assessment from photographs, although some items must be inspected in person before a firm quotation can be given. Please do not send an item to the workshop until the work has been discussed and accepted.
Can every damaged leather item be repaired?
No. Leather that has become severely degraded, torn across a large structural area or contaminated by inappropriate products may not be capable of a sound repair.
In other cases, a repair may be technically possible but disproportionate to the item’s value or likely remaining life. I will give you an honest assessment before accepting the work.
Can you match the original leather, thread or hardware?
I will make the closest appropriate match available, but an exact match is not always possible, particularly with older items.
Leather changes colour and character as it ages, while some thread, fittings and finishes are no longer manufactured. Where an exact match cannot be found, I will discuss the most sympathetic alternative with you.
How long does repair or restoration work take?
This depends on the condition of the item, the work required and whether replacement materials or fittings need to be sourced.
An estimated timeframe will be provided after the item has been assessed. Extensive restoration and unusual replacement fittings may require additional time.
How should I care for my leather item?
Keep the item dry where possible and allow it to dry naturally if it becomes wet. Do not place it close to a heater or apply household cleaners, oils or conditioners not intended for the type of leather.
Remove surface dust with a soft cloth and condition sparingly when the leather begins to feel dry. Different leathers require different care, so please contact me if you are uncertain which product to use.
Creasing, softening, darkening, minor scratches and the development of patina are normal characteristics of full-grain leather rather than signs that the item is failing.