Saddlers Retreat

31/05/2026

Introducing the New Forest handbag! 🐎

I have wanted to design my own range of handbags for a long time, but a lack of confidence has always held me back. Those days are finally over!

The New Forest is the first bag design that I will be accepting commissions on. If you have a once loved saddle sitting gathering cobwebs and spider p**p, why not consider giving it a new life and loving it all over again! Alternatively, I have a selection of donor saddles waiting in the wings.

What do you get from a bag made by me?

The vast knowledge of a registered Master Saddler ✔️
30+ years of experience ✔️
Original design ✔️
Completely hand made by me ✔️
Hand cut ✔️
Hand sewn with saddle stitch ✔️
U.K. made brass-work ✔️

These bags are priced from £260 if I supply the leather, or from £210 if you have an old saddle to transform.

Please do contact me if you are interested, and we can discuss your requirements 😊

➡️ Follow me to see other bags as I design and make them over the coming months. 🪡 🧵

25/05/2026

22/05/2026

📢 10% off all belts this bank holiday weekend with code BANKHOLIDAY10! 📢

https://saddlersretreat.etsy.com?coupon=BANKHOLIDAY10

18/05/2026

Leather Butterfly Handbag Charm

🐎 Made from reclaimed saddle leather, each butterfly charm carries a little piece of equestrian history. No two butterflies are ever exactly the same — giving every piece its own unique character and charm.

Designed to add a rustic country touch to handbags, keys, tack room lockers, or gift bags, these beautiful leather butterflies have a simple elegance. The rich leather tones and natural markings reflect the heritage of the saddles they once came from, making them a thoughtful keepsake for horse lovers and countryside enthusiasts alike.

Perfect as a gift or a small treat for yourself, exclusively from Saddlers Retreat.

🦋 Handmade from genuine reclaimed saddle leather
🦋 Each piece is unique
🦋 Rustic, durable, and full of character
🦋 Ideal for handbags, keys, or gifting
🦋 £12 each

Saddlers Retreat — giving old saddles a beautiful new story.

Find them on my Etsy store here:

https://saddlersretreat.etsy.com/listing/4506582223

🦋 🐎 🦋 🐎 🦋

17/05/2026

Buy well. Buy once.

🪡🧵 🪡🧵 🪡

16/05/2026

The next donor saddles arrived this week!

I'm looking forward to giving these a new purpose over the coming weeks.

The saddles may be old fashioned for ponies today, but the leather on them is still in decent condition and usable for many more years to come.

Keep following to see how they progress .... 👀

🪡🧵 🪡🧵 🪡

29/04/2026

Another year of being a member of the Society of Master Saddlers. Becoming a master saddler is no easy feat. It takes years and years of training and practise - there are no shortcuts!

Even after 30 years of being in the trade there are always new things to learn.

One of the many reasons I love this work so much! 🤎

🐎 🪡 🧵

19/04/2026

My new project is finished and I'm very happy with the outcome 🤩

One retired saddle = One new handbag! 👜

My time was well spent dismantling the saddle in order to make use of the leather for this cute bag. The patina of the old leather looks beautiful 😍

If you have a retired saddle don't send it to landfill - send it to me! 😁

🧵🪡🧵🪡🧵

03/04/2026

Head over to our Etsy shop this long weekend where the Easter Sale is in full swing!

🐥 Save 20% on all our belts 🐥

https://saddlersretreat.etsy.com/listing/4482347123

🐰🐣🐰🐣🐰

Shop Belts and Leatherwork by SaddlersRetreat located in Hindhead, United Kingdom.

21/03/2026

Next project loading ....

First things first it has to be checked by the head of security Pepsi! If she's happy, I'm happy!

Watch this space to see this project evolve ... 👀

🪡🧵