Moretonhampstead woman turns leatherwork passion into Dartmoor-based business

A Moretonhampstead woman has transformed her creative passion into a thriving business, crafting luxury handmade leather products from her peaceful workshop on Dartmoor.

Louise Gelson, 46, originally trained as a chef after leaving school, enjoying the hands-on, creative nature of the job. 

But after having her first child, the long hours didn’t fit with family life, so she shifted to bookkeeping, working for a small translation company for eight years. 

While she appreciated the organisation of bookkeeping, something was still missing.

“I loved the organisation of bookkeeping but felt I was really missing something creative in my life,” Louise said.

“So when I became pregnant with my second daughter, I took part in a weekend introduction to leatherwork course. This really fuelled my creative side.”

What started as a weekend hobby quickly grew into a full-time business. Louise invested in tools, attended more courses to refine her skills, and eventually founded LG Leatherworks. Over the past decade, she has been creating luxury leather handbags, wallets, belts, and accessories for dogs, all crafted with a focus on quality and longevity.

Her products are made in a Shepherd’s hut workshop nestled on the edge of Moretonhampsted, Dartmoor, where she draws inspiration from a childhood gift of leather reins and a sandwich box from the 1930s, passed down by her grandmother.

ABOVE: The shepherds hut, which Louise has converted into her studio

“I was gifted a pair of leather reins and a leather sandwich box from my grandmother, which dates back to the 1930s, and marvelling in the quality,” Louise said. 

“I wanted to create products that have this ethos at their heart and will stand the test of time to be passed down through the generations.”

Alongside bespoke commissions and repairs, Louise offers workshops for people interested in learning the art of hand-stitched leatherwork. 

ABOVE: Louise's work

For Louise, it’s about creating something that lasts and telling a story through every stitch.

“I want to make pieces that can be passed down through generations,” she said.