Illume Connect

Ever get stuck at a corner, not sure if you should take another full stitch or risk throwing off your entire seam? 😩 This one trick will change the way you sew forever. Seriously—people tell me this is the game-changer they didn’t know they needed. And the best part? It keeps your stitching perfectly in line, every. single. time. Want this tip plus four other FREE leathercraft courses? We’ve got you. 🎁 👇 Drop COURSES in the comments, and we’ll send them straight to you! #Leathercraft #SewLikeAPro #FreeCourses #LearnWithIllume

🚨 PSA for Leathercrafters: STOP THINKING IN CIRCLES. 🚨 If you’ve ever looked at a pattern and thought, “I’ll just map out some circles and go from there…”—I hate to break it to you, but you’re setting yourself up for frustration. The REAL way to approach patterning? It’s all scrolls on scrolls on scrolls. Every flow, every element, every turn—it all connects in a way that makes sense once you shift your thinking. And once you get this? Your designs will stop looking awkward and start looking seamless, professional, and dang impressive. Watch this quick breakdown to see exactly what I mean. You’ll never look at scrollwork the same way again. 👇 Tell me—what’s the biggest patterning mistake YOU made when starting out? Drop it below! #Leathercraft #PatterningTips #HandTooled

Ever wonder why some leather tooling just flows better? 🤔 Here’s a pro tip: thumbprint direction matters. ✅ Flower petals? Use a thumbprint with horizontal lines—it helps shape the petal without dragging the leather. ✅ Stem work? Go for a vertical-line thumbprint. Why? It glides smoother along the stem, giving you cleaner, more controlled lines. 🔄 The key: It’s all about how the tool moves across the leather. When your thumbprint runs with the stem’s direction, you get that effortless, professional finish. Now you know. 😉 Ready to test it out? Drop a 🔥 if this blew your mind! #Leathercraft #ToolingTips #HandTooled #LearnWithIllume

Ever wish you had a high-quality leather pattern—without spending hours trying to figure it out yourself? 🙋‍♂️ We’ve got you covered! 🎉 Get FREE leathercraft patterns designed by pros to help you level up your skills and create beautiful, functional leather goods. ✨ Why You’ll Love These Patterns: ✅ Easy-to-follow templates 📝 ✅ Perfect for beginners & seasoned makers alike 👏 ✅ Designed by experts to make crafting way easier 🔥 👉 Drop "PATTERN" in the comments, and we’ll send it your way! P.S. Got a leather buddy who’d love this? Tag them below! Let’s spread the leathercraft love. 🤠🖤 #Leathercraft #FreePatterns #DIYLeather

Ever wonder how to get that perfect depth and dimension in your tooling? It’s all in the technique. 👇 In this sneak peek from Matt’s Tooling a Jockey course (dropping this month inside Learn with Illume), he walks through: ✔️ How to use a medium pear shader for precision ✔️ The trick to avoiding damage to your flower center ✔️ A simple shading move that creates insane depth for antique finishes It’s all about those subtle details that make your work go from flat to phenomenal. 🔥 Want to master these skills and take your tooling to the next level? Join Learn with Illume and get access to this full course + more expert training. 🎥 Watch, learn, and let us know—what’s your go-to shading tool? 👇 #LeatherTooling #Leathercraft #HandTooled #LearnWithIllume

🔪 STOP Settling for “One-Size-Fits-All” Sheaths! 🔪 Your knife isn’t generic—so why should its sheath be? If you’ve ever struggled with loose fits, stiff leather, or stitching that just doesn’t hold up, it’s time to level up your leathercraft game. This Custom Knife Sheath Course inside Learn with Illume walks you through patterning, assembly, stitching, and pro finishing techniques—so every sheath you make fits like a glove. #Leathercraft #KnifeSheath #Leatherworking #HandmadeGear #CraftSmarter

Wish you could’ve taken leathercraft in high school instead of dissecting frogs and pretending to care about algebra? Yeah, same. The good news? It’s never too late. Leatherworking isn’t just some skill you’re born with—it’s something you learn. And if you didn’t have a teacher back then (or, let’s be real, even know this was an option), that’s exactly why Learn with Illume exists. 📌 No more guessing. 📌 No more YouTube rabbit holes. 📌 No more underpricing because someone at the farmer’s market doesn’t “get” handmade. Watch this, get inspired, and remember—every pro started as a beginner. 👉 Tag a fellow leathercrafter who needs this reminder! #Leathercraft #LearnWithIllume #HandmadeBusiness

Your goals deserve more than a quick scribble on your to-do list. Braydan Shaw (yes, the 6th-generation owner of Burns 1876) dropped serious knowledge during our first-ever LIVE Q&A in the Learn with Illume membership. His advice? Don’t just set goals—create a roadmap that takes you from dreaming to doing. Here’s the process that skyrocketed Burns 1876’s growth: 1️⃣ Step away from your usual space. New environments spark new ideas. 2️⃣ Dream big. Start with a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). 3️⃣ Reverse-engineer it: What can you accomplish in 10 years? Break it into 3-year chunks. Then down to 1 year, quarters, and 90-day 'rocks.' 4️⃣ Get it on your calendar. Start making it happen. Braydan’s approach? Simple, actionable, and game-changing. 🔥 And this is just ONE nugget from our Q&A series inside Learn with Illume. Ready to turn your craft into a thriving business? Join us inside Learn with Illume. 📌 Save this post to revisit when you're setting your goals—and don’t forget to follow for more leathercraft wisdom that works.

The Secret to Perfect Molding? It’s Not What You Think… Who needs fancy tools when you’ve got… a lamp finial, a water faucet handle, and a paintbrush? 🤯 Yes, you read that right. These unexpected household items are game-changers for leather molding: 🔹 Lamp Finial – Smooth, round, and perfect for edges. 🔹 Water Faucet Handle – Saves your thumbs AND gets those curves just right. 🔹 Paintbrush Handle – For crisp definition in those hard-to-reach spots. And the best part? These hacks don’t just save your wallet—they save your sanity. 🙌 Forget about conserving every scrap of leather; it’s all about having room to work and achieving pro-level precision. ✨ Fun Fact: As your leather dries, it becomes easier to mold and holds its shape better. So, take your time and enjoy the process! 🎥 Watch the full clip to see these quirky tools in action and learn how to turn any leather project into a masterpiece. Which one of these DIY tools are you trying first? Drop your favorite in the comments below! ⬇️ #Leathercraft #DIYTools #CraftSmarterNotHarder #LearnWithIllume #LeatherTips

If you’re hitting the great outdoors, your knife sheath needs to do more than just hold a knife. 🪓✨ Alaska guides and hunters know the secret: it’s all about the accoutrements. 🔥 From sharpening stones to ferro rod loops, these simple additions can make all the difference when you’re out in the field. In this sneak peek from our latest course, we’ll show you how to: 🔹 Add essential tools to your knife sheath 🔹 Make attachments without a pattern 🔹 Create a design that’s functional AND durable This is just the tip of the iceberg. ❄️ Get the full breakdown inside Learn with Illume and take your knife sheath game to the next level. 🎥 Watch now and tell us: What’s your go-to outdoor essential? #Leathercraft #KnifeSheath #OutdoorGear #LearnWithIllume #CraftSmarterNotHarder

🚨 STOP! Your Leather Stamps Might Be Sabotaging Your Work. Let’s be real… you’re not putting in hours of work just to end up with meh impressions. 😤 Here’s the truth: 💦 Too wet? Say hello to mushy, milky stamps. 🥀 Too dry? Flat, faded, lifeless designs. 🎯 Just right? Deep, clean, burnished impressions that make your work POP. And here’s the kicker → Depth isn’t about hitting harder. It’s about getting that perfect contrast and color burnish. Ready to ditch the guesswork and finally get those crisp, pro-level results? 😏 🔥 Learn tips like this (and WAY more) inside Learn with Illume. 📚 Step-by-step tutorials, insider techniques, and expert guidance to level up your leathercraft. ✨ Click the link in bio to join the community where leather legends are made! #Leathercraft #Leatherwork #ToolingLeather #MakersGonnaMake #LearnWithIllume #CraftSmarter #LeatherTips

💡 Want to Sell More? Start Listening. Here’s the hard truth: Your product isn’t perfect. Yet. But the fastest way to make it better? LISTEN. The best leathercrafters (and successful business owners) know this: 🗣️ Feedback isn’t criticism—it’s your roadmap to growth. Look at saddle makers. They don’t guess if their saddles fit—they ask the riders who put in serious miles. ✅ Even sweat marks? Perfect fit. ❌ Sores or uneven pressure? Time to adjust. And here’s the key: They don’t take feedback personally. They use it to create products that LAST and SELL. So, how can you apply this? 1️⃣ Ask for Honest Feedback – From customers, friends, anyone using your products. 2️⃣ Look for Patterns – Are people mentioning the same issues? That’s your next move. 3️⃣ Test + Improve – Small tweaks can make a big difference. 4️⃣ Keep Asking – Growth never stops, and neither should your feedback loop. 🛠️ Your business is built on what you learn, not what you already know. Want more ways to turn feedback into profits? Learn how the pros do it inside Learn with Illume. 🔎 Ready to craft products your customers can’t live without? Start by asking better questions. 👇 Drop a comment: What’s the best feedback you’ve ever gotten? #BusinessGrowthTips #LeathercraftBusiness #LearnWithIllume #CraftSmarter #ProductSuccess