Bespoke + Local: ‘Artisan of the Week’ - Bespoke Gift Hampers
Bespoke + Local: ‘Artisan of the Week’ - Bespoke Gift Hampers
A huge thank you to Alison at Bespoke + Local for such a fantastic feature as this week’s Artisan of the Week. What an enormous privilege to be included alongside so many other incredible creative local Devon makers and businesses.
If you don’t already know about Bespoke + Local’s stunningly thoughtful and carefully curated bespoke gift hampers, make sure you give them a follow and check out their website for all the details.
Alison’s Verdict:
I love the craftsmanship and passion that goes into every piece crafted by the Tanner Bates team. One of my favourite pieces is my personalised Devon oak bark tanned leather bound journal – it is beautifully made! If you would like one of Tanner Bates' exceptional handcrafted pieces in your Bespoke + Local gift box, just let me know in your consultation.
Full interview below:
Rick, tell us a little about Tanner Bates:
Tanner Bates – Contemporary design, time honoured craft
At Tanner Bates we hand craft pieces you’ll treasure, contemporary heirlooms.
Using unrivalled craftsmanship, the finest materials, our experience and creativity; we endeavour to create extraordinary everyday pieces – something to be admired.
We believe that our eye for detail will delight the most discerning. Our artisans’ enduring dedication to their craft ensure luxury and functionality are never compromised. The considered provenance of our materials ensures our legacy is light on the planet.
Step into the world of Tanner Bates & explore our carefully curated collections.
The backstory:
Tanner Bates was founded almost 15 years ago by John Hagger, who trained as a saddler and bridle maker in Walsall. The town is town is steeped in the history of leatherwork – it is the best place to learn traditional leatherwork skills and everything about leather.
After training alongside and being taught by people who had been in the industry for generations, John returned to Devon and with an enthusiastic 17 year old Will as his apprentice, Tanner Bates was born!
John has recently embarked upon his well earned retirement, leaving Tanner Bates in the very capable, expert hands of the dedicated team: Rick and Matt, who between them have over two decades of experience gained both working alongside John at Tanner Bates coupled with extensive backgrounds in the leather industry.
We continue to make everything entirely by hand, using only the finest leather made in traditional ways by small tanneries, just as we have always done. This dedication to our craft and excellence achieved through the use of time honoured techniques is the cornerstone of Tanner Bates.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
We’re so lucky to be based in Dartington, South Devon, it has always been a melting pot for crafts and creative makers.
We take so much inspiration from our surroundings, our raw materials come from nature and will return to nature in a lifetime of years to come. There is nothing more special than being outside surrounded by the beautiful South Devon countryside and nature. From the moors, to the river and the coast, we have it all on our doorstep here in Dartington.
Many of our collections are named after local landmarks, such as our Dartington Belt, Vixen Tote Bag and Thurlestone Card Holder! Our new (soon to be launched) backpack is designed with an active day out adventuring around South Hams in mind. Make sure you’re following us to be first in the know when it drops!
What do you love about what you do?
We’re very lucky that we do what we love. Our days in the workshop are varied. Being such a small team, there are all aspects of running a small business that we both like to get involved in. The workshop smells of leather and usually of coffee too! Good tunes (or podcast) on, great banter. A touch chaotic at times, although always productive and fun, capped off with a mad dash to the post office at the end of the day!
We have a small shop at the workshop – do pop in and see us when you’re passing. Meet the makers and see how your favourite Tanner Bates pieces are made.
What are you excited about that is coming up for your business?
We have all sorts of ideas and exciting things planned. From collaborations to new products and special edition small runs in very special leathers. We’re always working away behind the scenes creating and designing new products – extraordinary everyday items – contemporary heirlooms. And of course, all hand crafted, using the finest raw materials.
If you’re not already signed up to our newsletter, do - and give us a follow to make sure you’re in the know and up to date with all the latest Tanner Bates news!
What is your favourite Tanner Bates piece and why?
That is a tough question!
However, at the moment it has to be our new Fold Over Tote Bag. Made using the finest waxed canvas sourced from Halley Stevensons, paired with some special Italian vegetable tanned leather for the handles and hand hammered copper rivet details. This is one of our most versatile bags yet. Nailing the design and construction of the internal pockets really took some time to perfect. We have a shoot planned in a couple of weeks so keep your eyes on the website, it’ll be live shortly! Sneak peeks can be seen on our socials in the meantime.
We think you’ll love it and are really excited to share it with you.
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