“… any form of the arts, like leather, music, pottery and painting, has a positive effect on people who can’t cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and who are highly likely to take their own lives.”
— Tex McClish
If you judge things by first appearances only, then you might miss what Tex’s Hand Crafted Leather is fully about. The resilient enterprise, founded roughly 15 years ago by Charles “Tex” McClish in Port Orchard, Washington, might seem similar to a number of other dedicated family leathercraft businesses.
Yet, his small enterprise has its own distinctive quality. And some surprising revelations.
“I do mostly smaller stuff: lots of handcrafted wallets, belts and notebooks and women’s purses. And, some portraits. They’ve turned out awesome. I carve and tool and color the portraits with dye, but mostly with acrylics. I don’t do any saddles, boots or shoes. I could, but I just don’t,” he said.
His most popular product? “Maybe it’s my journals. I’ve sold more leather journal covers than women’s handbags and clutch bags, which I very seldom sell.”
Most of his leather projects are made in a 12x12-foot area within his 38x40-foot workshop, originally used for woodworking. “The only thing I do now is leatherwork. It’s handmade from products made in the USA — leather,
