​IF THE SHOE FITS

Kyle Jameson started his venture in leatherwork nearly a decade ago. Frustrated because he couldn’t find a belt to his liking, with a little encouragement from a friend and an eye for DIY, he took matters into his own hands and started his leatherworking venture, which eventually led to Jameson Leatherworks.  

Stylistically, he tends to stay away from the traditional cowboy floral motifs, focusing on classic design cues with clean lines and old­school tattoo flash­inspired tooling.

Along with his interest in leather and the handmade he has cultivated an interest in viking culture that has led to reenactments and demonstrations at cultural festivals such as Norsk Høstfest in Minot and the Midwest Viking Festival at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead.

Reenactors from all over the country come to the Hjemkomst to demonstrate combat techniques, blacksmithing, jewelry making and much more. He has even been part of arogue group of vikings leading the charge on the home field for the Minnesota Vikings.

This coming Saturday Jameson will lead a two­session leatherworking workshop in which attendees will create their own leather “turn shoes,” a design that dates back to 800­1100 CE. HPR had an opportunity to speak with Jameson about his craft and reenactments.

HPR: What came first, viking re­enactment or leather work?

Kyle Jameson: Leatherwork, for sure. I started doing leatherwork about 10 years ago, and just found out that Viking Age re­enactment even existed 2 years ago.

HPR: What do you find most compelling about Viking culture?

KJ: My wife, Kristin, and I, have always been into making things ourselves and doing things by hand. Practicing crafts from the Viking Age is a fun way to learn new skills and try out living like we’re in Scandinavia around the year 900. I guess it’s like camping but with more spears and swords.

HPR: Was there one piece that started it all? What drew you to leather as a medium—and how long have you been doing leatherwork?

KJ: I fell headfirst into leatherwork 10 or so years ago, when I couldn’t find a belt that wasn’t made from bonded leather and reflected my own personality. I told a friend of mine about how I wanted a belt that wasn’t mass­produced, cheap, low quality. You know, like those $10 belts at Walmart that fall apart. My friend suggested that I just make my own from a strap of heavyweight full­grain leather. He happily borrowed me all his tools and a copy of Al Stohlman's “Belts Galore.” The rest, as they say, is history. The thing that got me into it, and keeps me interested in leatherwork is that you can make just about anything and customize it in just about any way.

HPR: I saw a photo on your Facebook with you and a group wielding purple and gold shields..can you tell us a bit about that?

KJ: I’m part of a group that would open the gate where the Minnesota Vikings ran onto the field at the home games. There are a few of us from Fargo­Moorhead and some from the Twin Cities. It’s a pretty neat experience to hang out behind the scenes, and then go out, yell and shout, bang swords and axes on the shields­­and then of course open the gate. The whole game depends on us being there opening the big door, haha.

HPR: Does your whole family get involved with the viking events or is it primarily your interest?

KJ: My wife and three sons are very involved. The civilians at these events like to see the kids re­enacting, and my wife is an expert knitter, so she was excited to have a new way to work with wool.

HPR: Can you tell us a bit about the workshop that you will be leading at Make Room?

KJ: We will be making leather turn shoes that are based on finds from the Viking settlement of Jorvik, in England. Shoes of similar design and construction are found throughout the viking world. They are stitched together inside out, then turned out the right way, hence the name, turn shoes. This keeps all the stitching on the inside and makes them much more durable. The workshop will include using tools unique to leatherworking, as well as working with different types of leather.

HPR: Do you sell your wares? If so, where?

KJ: We sell some stuff at all the Unglued and Kittsona locations, and 218 Gifts in Bemidji. All of our goods are available on our Etsy store, (www.etsy.com/shop/jamesonleatherworks). Some of the more experimental and custom projects can be found on our Instagram (@jamesonleatherworks)

IF YOU GO

Kyle Jameson, Turn Shoe leatherworking workshop

Make Room Gallery, Classroom, and Event Space

8061⁄2 Main Avenue, Fargo

Saturday, March 26