I think it is great to see beautiful things made by hand. There is a shop in Via della Fratta in Lucca where a father and son team make great items from leather. They do handbags, wallets, belts, books and photograph albums.
I met them recently and they happily posed for me.
The day I was in their shop they were doing a roaring trade, which is good to see. Have a look at some of their lovely wares.
They assured me that everything was made by hand. They have help, I think a few other family members are involved. If you are in Lucca, drop in and say hello.
Officina della Pelle…Via delle Fratta 29
There is another shop in Via Filungo at number 196.
Beautiful leather goods – love the colours! I could go crazy in there!
By: Pauline on September 24, 2014
at 5:02 pm
There are lots of great things to choose from.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 24, 2014
at 7:13 pm
Yes love some of those great colours. And what did you buy ?
By: Dianne Cant on September 24, 2014
at 5:32 pm
I bought a yellow and tan leather bag…very nice.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:03 pm
Hi Deborah, funnily enough we were in the Via Filungo branch Saturday evening where I bought a lovely wallet. I can certainly attest to the beauty, quality and value of the goods!
Managed to get Fay out without buying a bag on this occasion, though I’m sure I won’t be so successful next time….
By: Anonymous on September 24, 2014
at 6:48 pm
She can always get one next time.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:04 pm
Their use of colors captured my attention.
By: aFrankAngle on September 24, 2014
at 8:19 pm
They have some great colurs to choose from.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:04 pm
Ooooh beautiful! I’ve tried for far too long to get a little leather bag handmade. I gave up. Looks like I need to go to Italy after all.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on September 24, 2014
at 8:59 pm
Quite clearly you need to come to Italy, especially Lucca.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:05 pm
WOW! I would love to go there!
By: zannyro on September 24, 2014
at 9:13 pm
It is a great shop, I hope you visit soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:05 pm
Another lovely find in Lucca….great to see handmade traditions still thriving.
By: Jim & Kerry on September 24, 2014
at 10:07 pm
Lucca has quite a few hand made shops. I found a beautiful shop full of handwoven items. It will be on the blog soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:06 pm
I love leather bound notebooks – I’ve never owned one but have always been drawn to ‘contemplating’ them – I think I could do a lot of contemplating in that store. I love the look of the soft little bags and the father and son look like a delightful duo.
By: Jan on September 24, 2014
at 11:13 pm
There is a good supply of leather bound books here. You will be able to choose one when you visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:07 pm
OMG, those colors and designs are beautiful, I would spent lots of money there!!!!
By: corneliaweberphotography on September 25, 2014
at 2:15 am
I think the proces are quite reasonable.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:07 pm
Everything looks so much better handmade – and the colours are certainly eye-catching. I would probably end up buying a few notebooks and maybe even a belt. Thanks for drawing it to our attention!
By: James on September 25, 2014
at 3:23 am
I hope you visit Lucca one day James.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:08 pm
It’s quite amazing as yesterday we were discussing this very shop with our family as part of our imminent Italian trip. We have bought a number of beautiful things from there on past visits. A lovely family. So we agreed we will visit there on 9 October on our way to Ponte la Serraglio!
Sue and Alan
By: akesektk on September 25, 2014
at 3:25 am
I look forward to catching up when you arrive.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:08 pm
Such an amazing array of leather goods! I am attracted to the leather bound books….those slim shoulder bags look beautiful, too. Next time in Lucca…..
By: Sandra Hoopmann on September 25, 2014
at 3:53 am
There is lots to choose from, you won’t be disappointed.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:09 pm
Ooh the leather for those bags looks so soft! 😮
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on September 25, 2014
at 8:27 am
The leather is excellent. I know I am going to enjoy the bag I bought.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:09 pm
Went in there in the summer and can testify to the quality of the goods.
Nice to see father and son team working together.
By: chris oconnor on September 25, 2014
at 8:46 am
It seems lots of people know this shop. I have passed it many times, but this was the first time I have been inside.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:10 pm
And I happened to pick up a wallet in the Via Filungo branch on saturday! Great pair of shops with beautiful stuff
By: extownie on September 25, 2014
at 12:55 pm
I’m sure I have been in the Via Filungo shop. I will have to return to be sure.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:11 pm
Hi Debra, we were actually in that shop today! We are staying at number 5 Via Serraglio exactly opposite your place – we can see the scafolding and the renovation! Sorry haven’t made contact yet. Going to Florence tomorrow, but will be about over the weekend maybe we will see you in the Piazza. Ciao Debbie, Rob, Barbara ans Chris
By: Debbie Hughes on September 25, 2014
at 7:12 pm
How amazing. The balcony renovation is progressing. I am hoping it will be all done by next week. Have a great day in Florence.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 25, 2014
at 8:12 pm
Lovely shopping, Debra. I bought a few leather goods in Italy. Love them. 🙂
By: anotherday2paradise on September 25, 2014
at 10:31 pm
Italy does leather very well.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 26, 2014
at 4:49 pm
It is a wonderful shop and the colours are amazing. The quality of the leather is superb. So soft!
By: mulino dominillo on September 26, 2014
at 5:10 am
I am very happy with my purchase.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 26, 2014
at 4:49 pm
Wonderful. I love the idea that family businesses of this type still thrive in Italy. And leather.. swoon!
By: Catherine on September 26, 2014
at 6:33 am
I love the family businesses too…long may they last.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 26, 2014
at 4:50 pm
Oh Deb, those bound journals( I think) have done me in. I want some. I have a handmade pitcher from Lucca that I was happy to buy on my trip there. It brings me so much joy to see things are that made with love.
I see lots of more of Lucca that I have missed so much on my previous trip – I need to make another with my family.
By: meditatingmummy on September 26, 2014
at 4:35 pm
Another trip to Lucca is definitely in order.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 26, 2014
at 4:51 pm
Absolutely beautiful! I love your rainbow color photos, and it brings back memories of the incredible leather work to be found in Lucca.
By: composerinthegarden on September 27, 2014
at 6:29 pm
Lucca is actually great for leather, no need to go to Florence.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 29, 2014
at 4:04 pm
Deb you will have to offer walking tours to all the lovely places you have discovered in Lucca.
By: Roz MacAllan on September 29, 2014
at 12:14 am
That could be fun, but quite illegal. I would have to attend guide school for 3 years and be licensed and that is not going to happen…nice thought though.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 29, 2014
at 4:03 pm
Very nice. I also am a leatherworker. My stuff is very different than yours. What type of leather do you use? The colors are beautiful.
By: logcabinleatherbyjan on April 12, 2015
at 4:15 pm
I wrote the post about the shop in Lucca. I am not the leather worker. If you look at their website (there is a link at the bottom of the post) they may give more information.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 12, 2015
at 8:19 pm
I bought a beautiful orange purse there a few years ago and recently to my dismay a pen leaked on the leather and left a large black spot. Anyone have advice on how to remove? I tried alcohol, shout, water.. nothing takes it out
By: Wendy Hodge on November 22, 2017
at 11:00 am
I would take it to someone who works with leather, even a shoe repairer. They might be able to help.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 22, 2017
at 11:49 am