Structured leathercraft training, taught by working makers.
Three ways to get better: online courses taught by pros, a magazine that keeps you in the trade, and events where you learn at the bench.
140+
Courses, beginner to master
2
Leather shows a year
100+
Seats in various classes
Three ways to learn. One community.
Most members start with one and end up using all three.
01 - Learn
Learn with Illume
The membership. Video courses taught by working pros, in an order that builds.
- 140+ courses, beginner to master
- Printable patterns and tool lists
- Monthly live Q&A with instructors
- Private member community
- 14-day free trial
02 - Read
Illume Magazine
Maker features, studio tours and business insight. Print, digital, or both.
- Maker spotlights and studio tours
- Skills you can work from
- Real pricing and business numbers
- What's new in the trade
03 - Gather
Shows and classes
Two national leather shows a year, plus small hands-on classes on the road.
- Las Vegas and Pendleton shows
- 80+ vendor booths
- Hands-on workshops
- The Leather Showcase
They stack. Annual members get the print magazine free. Subscribers get free admission to the show floor.
A tutorial shows one project. A course teaches the craft.
The free stuff isn't bad. It's just not in any order - a hundred answers, no path.
Our instructors come from shops all over the country, and they were picked because they can teach.
Meet the instructors
The Leathercrafter's Companion
Courses teach the how. The magazine keeps you connected to the trade - the makers, the shops, the numbers.
Maker spotlights
How real shops build, price and sell.
Studio tours
Inside benches from around the country.
Skills sections
Techniques written to work from.
Business and pricing
What shops charge, and what's moving.
Pick how it gets delivered
Same magazine. Mailbox, screen, or both.
$55
per year
The physical magazine, in your mailbox.
- Mailed to your door
- Free show-floor admission
- Included with annual membership
Digital
$35
Per year
Every issue online, the day it drops.
- Read on any device
- Full back-issue library
- Free show-floor admission
2-Year Digital
$55
every 2 years
One on the bench, one in your pocket.
- Print issues mailed to you
- Digital access day one
- Free show-floor admission
Annual members get print included - a $60 value. Subscribers get free admission to the show floor.
Some things only happen at the bench.
Online is where most of the learning happens. In person is where it sticks.
Las Vegas Leather Show
Three days of classes, 80+ vendor booths, and the Leather Showcase. Free for members and subscribers; general admission $10-$15.
- 80+ vendor booths
- Classes 8am-5pm
- Leather Showcase
- People's Choice Awards
Pendleton Leather Show
Four days of classes alongside the show floor - from intro tooling up to a five-day saddle build with Matt Wanner, Trevor Alexander and Dusty Smith.
- Four days of classes
- Saddle build intensive
- Business conversations
- Kids and veteran classes
Two-day builds, taught in the shop
Twelve students, two days, one finished backpack. No experience needed. Kit, hardware, tools, lunch and the matching online course all included.
- 12 students per class
- Beginner friendly
- Everything included
- Finished bag by day two
Small classes, on purpose. Seats sell out early.
See upcoming eventsPick a course. Follow the steps. Create something you're proud of.
14-day free trial - all 140+ courses, every pattern, the full community. Cancel before day 14 and pay nothing.