Artisan Leather Shop Provides Quality Goods Writer and Photographer / Angela Cornell
The purses, belts, wallets and other products sold at Silver Star Leather start out as hide that many people would probably throw away. Where others may only see a piece of leather, Loren Yoder, owner of Silver Star Leather, sees a beautiful fashion item in the making. When a piece of leather - whether it’s cow, crocodile, cobra or frog, to name a few of the options - arrives at the shop, Yoder begins to devise what he can make from it.
BELTS • WALLETS • HANDBAGS
“The thing I like about this is that it is so endless,” he explains. “We’re just scratching the surface as far as the different types of products we can make, and the fashion industry as far as belts, wallets and purses. If you’re bored, it’s your fault. Just come up with a new idea and try it. It’s too much fun.” Even though the business offers dozens of creations, both wholesale across the nation as well as retail, Silver Star Leather is known for custom products. “I’d say that the most popular is probably gun holsters and knife sheaths,” Yoder says. “We also do a lot of custom wallets of every shape and size.” Yoder doesn’t work exclusively with domestic leathers. Some of his hides come from around the world, and all are internationally certified through CITES, an international organization that
6875 N 800 W Shipshewana, IN 46565 (260) 768-7958 • silverstarleather.com
32 / THE LAKES MAGAZINE / AUGUST 2020 / thelakesmagazine.com
