Meet the Studio Holders
Jason Stocks-Young Diamond Awl
Jason is a member of the guild of master craftsmen and offers teaching from his beautiful studio in Woodend Mill One. In conversation with Jason in August 2025 he shared what is currently on his studio workbench:
Learn to Make a Classic Leather Tote in 3 Days at Diamond Awl
We’ve just finished prototyping a brand-new project for our three-day workshop — a timeless, hand-stitched leather tote bag.
This course is perfect for anyone looking to take their leathercraft to the next level. Over three immersive days, you’ll work with beautiful vegetable-tanned leather, learning traditional techniques including cutting, saddle stitching, bevelling, burnishing, and edge finishing. By the end, you’ll walk away with a professional-grade leather tote — designed to last a lifetime.
Whether you’re a beginner with a keen eye or a returning student looking to deepen your skills, this workshop offers the chance to slow down, focus, and create something truly substantial with your hands.
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Craft in Practice: Wassily Chair Restoration
Alongside teaching, I’m currently working on restoring two original Wassily chairs — stripping them back, deep cleaning the frames, and reupholstering them with fresh leather. It’s a meticulous job and a reminder of why craftsmanship matters: the right leather, handled well, can breathe new life into design classics
ANNIE KÈKI is a designer working in fashion, interiors, jewellery and lifestyle. Born in London in the 60’s the confidence and rebellious nature of the time is in her DNA.
She left a career in the city of London, almost on a whim, looking for something beyond the success and reward that came with 1980’s yuppy culture and found creativity in textiles. Over the past 30 years, with only an occasional glance back, as her path meandered through life she has, and continues, to value learning new skills and has build a successful personal practice that incorporates all life has to offer.
In search of what enables, and prevents, change Annie used her own experience as a template, travelling and studying in India, training in psychology and then as a clinical hypnotherapist she found an approach to life that enables her to be authentic, unapologetic, humble and fulfilled. When asked what she considers success the reply came without hesitation
my success is personal, it is a feeling as much as anything and difficult to share with others. When I think back to the career-driven young person I was and compare that to who I have become I much prefer my life today. It is a relaxed affair, full or fun and unexpected opportunities. I measure myself against my own scale with scant regard for others, I live each day and am thankful for it, never look too far ahead and anticipate my day will go well. My life is a personal journey, I do not expect it to be easy, so am not surprised when it is not. Things are generally as simple as you want them to be. Knowing when I have no control saves energy and time. I enjoy everything I do, pour love into every project and feel privileged to work with individuals who value the lifetime of learning I bring to each one.