Brandon Ault crafts a leather piece →
This popular local leatherworking outfit sets up shop out of a East Side home By Sarah Sole / Photos by Sarah Pfeifer / Story Design by Willem Kern
The feedback Brandon Ault received for his very first handmade wallet wasn’t exactly positive. In fact, it was peppered with expletives. To put that into context, the first thing you should know is that Ault was on a boat at the time, working as engineer and first mate. The second thing you should know is that Ault’s boss, the captain, wasn’t thrilled that one of his sailors was learning how to work leather while on the job. Ault had figured he would eventually get caught and decided to try to soften the blow with a gift for the captain. “This isn’t a craft show,” the captain said to Ault—along with other choice words. Though Ault is now a considerable ways from the water, the name of the leatherworking business he owns and manages along with his partner, Becca Lynn, pays homage to his old life.
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Old Salts Leatherworks was founded in 2008; this past November, Ault and Lynn officially opened a small retail outlet for their products inside their home at 267 Kelton Ave. Their products are simple with a focus on function and durability. “They’re just supposed to last forever,” Ault said. The Old Salts Shophouse is on the first floor of the home and functions as a small retail hub as well as a means to view the studio space beyond. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Goods are also available for purchase online. In the future, the Shophouse could hold more than leather goods: Lynn said she’d like to eventually feature rotations of other local makers in the Old Town East area. →
