This month marks ten incredible years since I took the leap from teaching to following my dream full-time. After spending a decade as a Design & Technology teacher, I finally gave up the classroom to dedicate myself to my hobby — leather craft. It was a scary, exciting step, but one that has shaped the past 10 years of my life in ways I could never have imagined.

What started as a little hobby, upcycling old jackets and sofa leather, has grown into a full-time profession; a studio filled with tools and textiles and a community of people who appreciate thoughtful, handmade design.

How It All Began

My fascination with leather happened almost by accident - a visit to a craft market with beautiful leather goods for sale. These were out of my budget so as a recent design graduate I thought why not have a go myself!

My early creations were ambitious — cobbled together on a little domestic sewing machine despite the fact that I’d never used one before! I bought some leather and asked my mum to teach me to sew, and I was instantly hooked.

I spent months practising on her old Elna machine, using just a leather needle and regular thread. I’d buy old bags from charity shops, take them apart, study how they were made and rework the pieces into something new. It was a lot of trial and error — but that’s what design is all about: experimenting, deconstructing, and creating.

**Charity shop jacket turned into a Tote Bag**

Highlights Along the Way

Looking back, there have been so many pinch-me moments — but two stand out above all:

📚 Writing my leather craft book, Sew Luxe Leather was an incredible milestone — a chance to share my passion for making and inspire others to explore creativity by hand. Being approached to write it just 18 months into the business gave me a real confidence boost and reminded me that I could keep going, even when things got tough.

✨ Appearing on BBC’s Money for Nothing, which helped broaden my reach, bringing my work to a wider audience and showcased how sustainability and style can go hand in hand. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible support of my friends & family, customers, students, and fellow makers who’ve believed in my work. Every message, purchase, and workshop booking means the world to me.

**My Leather Craft Book & First Project for ‘Money for Nothing’ with Sarah Moore**

What’s Changed — and What Hasn’t

Over the years, my workspace has evolved almost as much as my designs — from sharing a space with my mum at the start, two rented spaces to my very own place. This autumn also marks one year since moving into my garden studio — my fourth space, but the first that’s entirely my own! 🌿💛 It’s been a dream to have a space to create, teach, and repair leather treasures, steps from home, surrounded by nature.

My designs have become more refined, but the heart behind them remains the same: to create pieces that are built to last, with care and conscience.

In recent years, I’ve also grown my repair service, as more people choose to mend and maintain the things they love rather than replace them. I absolutely love restoring and repairing leather items, helping them continue their journey instead of ending up in landfill. There’s something deeply satisfying about giving a much-loved bag, belt or briefcase a new lease of life, honouring its history while extending its future.

Whether I’m hand-cutting a clutch bag, teaching someone how to make their first leather item or carefully repairing a treasured heirloom, that same spark that led me to turn my passion into my profession ten years ago, is still alive today.

**New studio, working on repairs & teaching workshops!**

Looking Ahead

As I celebrate this milestone, I’m filled with gratitude — and excitement for what’s next. New collections are in the works, workshops are planned, and plenty of creative ideas are brewing. My goal for the next decade? Keep creating, keep learning, and keep proving that craftsmanship and sustainability are always in style.

🎁 Anniversary Giveaway

To say thank you for 10 wonderful years, I’m giving one lucky winner a £50 voucher to spend on any Rosanna Clare product or workshop! 🎉

👉 To enter:
1️⃣ Follow @rosanna_clare
2️⃣ Comment with your favourite Rosanna Clare piece or memory
3️⃣ Tag a friend who loves handmade design

The winner will be announced on 1st December 2025 on Instagram and in my December Newsletter!!

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Thank You

From the first cut of leather to the hundreds of pieces that have left my (various!) studios since, this journey has been extraordinary — and it’s all thanks to you. Whether you’ve bought a bag, joined a workshop, or trusted me to repair something special, you’ve been part of my story.

Here’s to the next ten years of creativity, sustainability, and beautiful craftsmanship — from my very own garden studio, following the dream I once only imagined.

With love and gratitude,
Rosanna Clare 🤎

Turning a Passion into a Profession: Celebrating 10 Years of Rosanna Clare