Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Farnsworth.
Hi Kerry, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started doing leather work when I was 13 with a desire to build myself a good saddle. Over the last 50 years I have built a lot of saddles and other leather goods. From earrings to belts, wallets purses and saddles. Most of my leather work has been self taught. My mom made our cloths growing up. I wanted a pearl snap shirt, she took me to the local Tandy
Leather store to get the snaps. I was hooked. I signed up for the Craft aid of the month club that was offered at that time so I could start learning the art of leather work. Since then I have taught many workshop to FFA 4H and Boy Scouts. I’ve never charge for teaching kids but was paid for some adult classes. I have retired from my career and now just focus on my leather work. When was trying to build up my full-time business I did vendor booths at many county fairs and Rodeos. I have enough work now that I don’t do many of those anymore but miss the time spent talking to customers and just being out meeting new people. My sons made their spending money in High School from making leather stuff and selling them at school. My years of doing leather work has brought me great joy. I wish I was a billionaire so I could just make stuff and give it away. When people use my stuff and enjoy my work means more to me than the money I’m paid. I still don’t have a saddle yet, I always sell the ones I make for myself, but this next one I’m going to keep.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest obstacles has been coming up with money to buy leather and tools.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make anything from belts and wallets to custom chaps and saddles. I make real good bags, cantel bags, saddle bags and purses. I do a lot of saddle repairs. I feel I provide an important service for sheep owners around Sanpete County. The herders that are out with the herds all year are really hard on the equipment. So the owners bring me the damaged saddles and tack and I try to get them fixed and back out to the heard. I really enjoy working with the Sheep owners, I consider them among my friends.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I live in rual central Utah. Which is great for the small town lifestyle. Sometimes I would like just to go to town and get something to eat, but there are no restaurants in town the closet one is 14 miles away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.slickrockleather.com
- Instagram: Slickrock Leather works
- Facebook: Slickrock Leather Works
