A word from founder/designer/craftsman Jerrold Kamensky…

I began my passion for leather in the sixties along with most of America’s youth. At the time, fringe, leather and suede defined the style of the “Woodstock” generation. During that time, I traveled through Canada where I had the opportunity to work with, and learn from, an old school harness maker in Prince Edward Island, Canada. With him I learned how to use hand tools and the very best materials to craft, shape, and bend the hides to my design.

When I returned to the states, I resumed my education at Georgetown Law School. To help finance my schooling, I used my newly acquired leatherworking skills to establish a small leather craft business…Plum Leather. Throughout law school I made and sold belts, bags, vests, caps, sandals, and a variety of clothing and accessories for friends and classmates and, as word spread, retailers in the DC area. The small business of Plum Leather, LLC was born in Washington D.C. in 1969.

When the Law degree was achieved and a career in law loomed, I made the presumed choice to pursue the path of law over continuing with my growing leather business. Throughout the years I would return to leather now and then, but only as an occasional hobby and creative outlet. More recently, having “semi-retired” and limited my involvement in the legal practice since 2016, I began to dabble in leatherwork once again. I began experimenting with the exotic hides native to Florida where I now reside. I explored designing and creating contemporary women’s accessories and using these quality exotics for men’s belts and accessories as well.

The move to Florida allowed me easy access to alligator, python, and other exotic skins which I could then combine with the traditional hides that I learned to work with 50 years ago. The internet and local antique stores have also given me easier access to vintage buckles and decorative hardware that help in creating a unique product. And so, I have, with some degree of nostalgia, resurrected the name “Plum Leather LLC” to brand my now, 50 years later, creations.

The designs you will find on this Plum Leather website are all made personally by me. All the Hand stitching is done using age-old techniques perfected by saddle and harness makers like the man I learned from many years ago. Each piece has had its own attention from me and reflects the spirit in which it was formed. I hope you will love it as much as I enjoyed making it!

If you do not see what you want on this website, please feel free to contact me by phone or email and let’s talk. I very much enjoy the shared process of creating a mutually designed piece of art with the person who will ultimately wear and enjoy the design. I welcome a request for a custom piece using your own color choices, design details, hardware choices, size needs, etc. Unlike when I did this fifty years ago, with the advent of electronic meetings I can meet with you wherever you are! I look forward to making a one-of-a-kind piece just for you.

Most sincerely,

Jerrold Kamensky

Plum Leather, LLC