The Art of Edge Finishing With Pelican Pete

“Edge finishing is quiet craftsmanship — most people don’t notice it, but they feel it.”

- Pelican Pete

Peter’s Leather Journey started with the simple joy of making something with his hands. In 2017, that meant small projects — keychains, wallets, anything that let him cut clean lines, set hardware, and end the day with a finished piece on the table. That feeling stuck. What began as curiosity slowly turned into a side business built around patience, intention, and a deep appreciation for the process. Before leather, Peter wanted to be an illustrator. He’s always loved taking an idea from his mind and making it real, and leathercraft became another way to explore that creativity. Even during a year of travel without a workbench, the craft never left him — studying bags on subways, wondering how they were made, and imagining how he’d approach them when he got back. Today, Peter intentionally keeps his work low-volume so the joy of crafting never gets lost, creating pieces that balance durability with restraint — rugged and capable, yet refined enough to live anywhere.

“Elevated ruggedness — modern designs with materials that last.”

When Peter returned to making, he didn’t have a shop — just a dinner table and a cutting board. That didn’t stop him. Repetition turned into confidence, small improvements added up, and methods that once worked eventually gave way to better ones. Over time, he learned that the work becomes a reflection of you — how you solve problems, how you respond to mistakes, and how willing you are to rethink your process as your skills grow. Today, Peter intentionally keeps his work low-volume so the joy of crafting never gets lost. He focuses on clean construction, thoughtful design, and meticulous finishing — especially well-burnished edges. Every piece is hand-stitched, hand-finished, and built to last. One of his proudest projects is a set of custom cardholders made for a groom and his groomsmen, each stamped with initials — simple, personal, and meaningful.

Working with leather uncovered a creative side Tina didn’t realize she’d been missing. She loves the challenge of learning new techniques, refining her skills, and figuring things out on the table as she builds. Many of her pieces start as ideas she’s thought about for weeks, but the real design comes alive in the moment — adjusting details, testing hardware, solving little problems, and letting the piece tell her where it wants to go.

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“Akasha is my space to create without limits — a place where curiosity, growth, and craftsmanship all meet.”

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Her brand name, Akasha, comes from the Sanskrit word for ether — the idea of being limitless, open, and full of possibility. It’s exactly how Tina approaches her craft. And yes… she still gets asked if she’s from Alaska.

As a one-woman business, Tina does everything herself: stitching, designing, photographing, packing orders, running the website, applying for markets, and meeting customers face-to-face at events around Utah. She loves that handmade leather goods take time, last for years, and only get better with age. Her work is also deeply inspired by the outdoors and travel. Raised in Vermont and rooted in Utah since 2007, she pulls ideas from mountain trails, desert trips, international adventures, and the practical needs of staying organized on the road.

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The Maker Q&A

This set of cardholders. It was for a groom and his groomsmen, and each wallet had initials stamped for its intended owner. It was an honor to make these for such a special occasion and couldn’t be happier with how they came out.

Once you do it enough – leatherworking becomes a pretty clear reflection of you.

Ultimately, you’ll end up confronting a process / method that did exactly what you needed initially and became limiting you became better. Think long about how you want to improve that process, because it might be the next ceiling you hit. Confidence comes from going through the motions, internalizing steps, implementing small improvements – and a couple months down the line you’re beyond where you thought possible. And then you can really think big.

Sharp knives are safe knives. And when you cut a lot, you always want something sharp. I use a knife like this (Ingenuity w/ snap-off blades). Once the blade shows any bit of dulling / resistance, you snap it off and get a brand-new blade, ready for the next cut. It keeps things moving, keeps me safe, and makes the process of creating more enjoyable. In terms of value, I don’t think there’s anything better.