Beyond the Bench: Brady's Bolo Ties
Details on Brady’s personal favorite: The Traffic cone. The metallic python skin perfectly suits the reflective strips of a traffic cone.
At Lotuff Leather, we find ourselves lucky to have a skilled team so passionate about every aspect of our craft. One standout example is Brady, who has become a cornerstone of our Providence, RI production studio. In his first year working at Lotuff, Brady has worn many hats by training in nearly every station in our production process. His hands have shaped and refined our products from start to finish, giving him a deep, comprehensive understanding of leatherwork. This extensive experience has fueled his creative spirit, allowing him to channel his expertise into a unique and inspiring endeavor: crafting patchwork creations from scrap leather. When he’s not meticulously crafting Lotuff products, Brady dedicates his time to these miniature masterpieces, turning remnants into remarkable works of art. Join us as we explore how Brady’s journey through our studio has led him to this inventive hobby.
Brady’s creative ingenuity truly shines through in his bolo tie creations, each one a testament to his craftsmanship and imaginative flair. His patchwork emblems, the centerpiece of these ties, come in an eclectic mix of shapes—ranging from an Ochre star to a playful tomato, and his personal favorite, a traffic cone.
During his breaks, Brady sifts through the test scraps from our splitter machine, discovering thin and lightweight leather pieces that are ideal for his intricate projects. These small bits of leather become the canvas for his art. Using his friends as inspiration, he drafts patterns for each shape on paper, carefully cutting out the shapes from the tiny leather scraps. He then meticulously glues these pieces together, marks each hole for careful hand stitching, and prepares and opens each hole for hand stitching with an awl. He adds a flexible brass strip to the back for the tie slots and covers any visible stitching with an additional leather piece. The finishing touch involves using leftover cording from our other bags, like the Braided Angle Tote, to create the ties. His designs aren't limited to just the bolo ties either, check out his custom-made pouch below. Each piece is a unique blend of creativity and skill, embodying Brady’s personal touch and dedication to his craft.
Outside of the leather studio, Brady leads a fascinating life rooted in his passion for art and craftsmanship. Originally from California, he journeyed to Rhode Island to study sculpture at RISD, where he embraced a diverse range of mediums, from textiles and woodwork to metalwork. His love for textiles stems from their intricate detailing and the dedication required to create something truly unique. This appreciation for detail is mirrored in his personal projects, where he dedicates about a month to crafting each elaborate knit tapestry. In contrast, his bolo ties and pouches, made during lunch breaks at work, offer a gratifying sense of completion in just a few days, satisfying his desire for quicker, tangible results. At Lotuff, Brady's role in assembly and stitching leverages his previous sewing experience, which dates back to his childhood fascination with Project Runway and creating doll-sized dresses. Today, he finds immense satisfaction in customer repairs, particularly when transforming a worn bag into a beautifully restored piece. This aspect of his job allows him to combine his love for hand stitching with the joy of revitalizing cherished items, making every repair a rewarding project.
Our #5 Pouch adorned with custom patchwork figures including a metallic python skin fish. The interior is fully lined, and the zipper was originally mis-cut and unusable for our products but upcycled by Brady to fit this pouch.
Left: Clean finishing and brass hardware on the back of a bolo tie.
Right: A patchwork cocktail made by Brady for a coworker.
At Lotuff, we take immense pride in fostering a work environment that not only values our team’s professional skills but also encourages their personal passions. Our studio’s supportive culture allows employees like Brady to merge their artistic interests with the expertise they gain from their roles, resulting in truly unique and inspiring creations. Stay tuned for more stories that showcase the intersection of personal passion and professional skill. If you’re interested in owning a custom piece crafted by Brady, whether a distinctive bolo tie or an embellished Lotuff piece, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@lotuffleather.com. We look forward to sharing more of our team’s creative adventures with you!