This issue’s artist is Colleen Farnsworth. Colleen is 74 years old, from Helena, Montana, and loves to work with leather. She has been making leather earrings, makeup bags, wallets, purses, pillows, eyeglass cases, and more, for 6 years. “I just wanted to make myself a purse one day. My son gave me some leather and I made myself a bag. People liked it so I started making more and selling them at the farmer’s market.”
She is completely self-taught. For four years everything was done by hand, including punching all the holes and lacing the pieces all together. Then 2 years ago she finally invested in a sewing machine, which has made it easier to include zippers and more.
“I’m retired, so it gives me something to do. It really helps my mind and my hands and keeps me from not ever being bored in the winter.”
“The leather tells me what it wants to be. If it’s real heavy leather, then it needs to be more of a heavy purse, if it’s soft it could be a smaller purse. If the hide has a marking or brand in it, I love to show it because to me that’s important.”
You can see the details in each unique piece at Latigo & Lace at 122 Main Street in Augusta. While you are there, don’t forget to get some of the best coffee in town.