FEW people – let alone those in the traditional Irish crafts sphere – would relish striking out on their own in this Covid-19-impacted year but Lucy Cushley has not looked back for a moment.

The Irish Field first caught up with Lucy in July after she was announced as one of the five winners of the RDS Craft Awards 2020. She spent two years studying at London’s Capel Manor College for the Cordwainers Diploma in Bridle, Saddle and Harness-makng under Christer Dahlberg and Line Hansen. Now an Intermediate Saddler with the Society of Master Saddlers, where it takes at least seven years of approved work and training before the title of Master Saddler can be bestowed, Cushley (27) is determined to keep improving her qualifications and is ambitious to reach the top rung of her chosen profession.

Speaking from her Co Down workshop this week, Cushley told The Irish Field she is ‘more than delighted’ with the way her first year in business has turned out. Happily immersed in her leatherwork, she daily turns her hand to whatever bespoke leatherwork her customers want.

“It turned out to be quite a crazy year. It was supposed to be a year of me getting more qualifications. With Covid, I worked away at home all the time with commissions. It’s actually been really good, I’ve had a really steady trade. I’m halfway through a wee bag right now and I’ve sold it. I cannot keep stock. You make something, it’s gone.

“The repairs trade has been good as well. Mostly people want something nice and something very personal – a belt, a handbag, a wallet – or now with remote working, I’ve commissions for luxurgy leather desk sets – mouse mats, leather ties to keep cables tidy, business card holders – personal things that you like to look at, see and touch every day.

“The harness side is going well enough considering there has been no shows this year really. The lockdown in England has delayed some supplies a little but overall, it has held up really well. People took the time to get their harness ready for next year when they can go all out.

“I was worried at first how it would go but I’ve had a really steady stream of people. Visiting the workshop here, it’s a personal experience for them. People can come in, look around, smell the leathers, touch the buckles, feel the textures and weights. They can pick out themselves what they like to make whatever it is they want very personal to them and I put it together. Seamus Heaney said, ‘if we winter this one out, we can summer anywhere’. That’s the way I look at it,” concluded Cushley.