We were lucky to catch up with Elliot Wills-Begley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Elliot with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Growing up, I never had the opportunity to be bored. It felt like we were always doing something. Whether it was playing music, cooking, doing chores, exploring the outdoors, or working on projects, there was always something that kept my brothers and I occupied. In the summers, we’d spend a lot of our time at my grandparents house a few miles away while my parents worked. There, my grandfather had a wood shop in the back of his garage. I attribute much of my work ethic to lessons I learned from him. After returning from WWII, he finished college and became an engineer. This game him a keen eye for detail. In his retirement, he kept busy in the shop, running the wood stove in the winter, and the fans in the summer. In one of my earliest memories, I was working on making a model boat. After hours in the shop, I was ready to be done, but he wouldn’t let me leave until the last joint was fully sanded. I brought it over to him time after time. Although he was blind in one eye, and losing sight in the other, he would run his finger over it, and hand it back to me saying, “that ain’t flush,” and I’d head back to the workbench. When it was finally done, the thing was beautiful.
Little did I know, he was teaching me a lesson. Sometimes, you’ll want to cut corners, and assume that people won’t notice little details. But, as a craftsman, you need to take pride in your work. Sometimes that means working longer than you want to, other times, it means asking for feedback, and revisiting old ideas and techniques.
Thinking back, it was the time spent in that shop that gave me the desire to work with my hands. There is something special about putting time and effort into a tangible product, and then seeing the joy that your work can bring to someone else. Sometimes, after a long day, my desire to go back into my shop simply isn’t there. But, when I think of Papa’s voice and the lessons I learned, I put on my apron and get to work. Each and every time that happens, I’m glad that I bucked up and got to it.
That is one of the reasons that I named my business Wills Leather. My last name is Wills-Begley, and my grandfather’s last name was Wills. I hope that each of my products will stand up to the memory of his character, dependability, and creativity.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
In addition to being a business owner, I am also a full time English teacher. After years of working in the classroom, I found myself longing to work with my hands. I have some background in woodworking, but I was never very passionate about it. When I discovered leatherwork, I became completely obsessed. I found myself thinking about it constantly. I started out making projects for myself, then as gifts for friends and family. Soon, I started getting requests, and people willing to pay me for my work. From there, Wills Leather was born.
At first, I was excited to take any project that came my way, but in time, I realized that I needed to develop and shape my own unique style. I wanted to distinguish myself and my work from products that you could find at big retail stores. Initially, it was hard to turn down projects that I wasn’t excited about, or that I knew would be a one time thing, but in the end, it allowed me to spend more time designing new products, creating patterns, and tweaking them until they were just right.
Now, I use my designs as a springboard. This allows me to work with my customers to personalize them, making each product unique, while not forcing me to redesign the wheel, or try to replicate the work of another maker. I love knowing that each of my customers is part of the creative process. From choosing thread and dye color, to adding custom stamping or monogramming, each decision makes the end product one of a kind.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The first thing I wish that I knew earlier is that it is essential to know your brand. The difficult thing about this is that it takes time. In order to understand what your individual style is, and what makes your products stand out, you have to also know what you are not. If something doesn’t feel right, ask yourself why. Is it the design? The process? Your emotional state? These kinds of questions help you decide what kind of work you actually enjoy doing.
Secondly, take advantage of the communities of people who have way more knowledge than you. As a beginning leathercrafter, I had so many questions, and seemingly no one to turn to. However, I joined a few discussion boards on Reddit and Facebook, and I was shocked at how quickly and thoughtfully I was able to get helpful answers from experienced people. The advice that I gained from these online communities was essential in helping me improve my skills and start a business.
Third, if you have a passion for making art, music, poetry or crafts, don’t immediately rush to monetize it. Start small and go slow. If running the business becomes too overwhelming, it has the potential to put a stain on the passion that you once had. It is all about balance.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Recently, I’ve been really fascinated by some of the makers and artists that I’ve met in Michigan. In the future, I would love to find ways to collaborate with local woodworkers and artists to create mixed media products. I recently spoke with a woodworker who added a laser engraver to his shop, and I’m hoping to experiment with him. The possibilities are endless. If anyone reading this would be interested in talking shop, or working together, please send me an email! willsleatherllc@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.willsleather.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willsleather/
