ALBANNACH
CRAFTS
ABOUT US
HISTORY
In 2015 Don was living in Niigata City, Japan teaching English when a good friend from Oamaru sent him an antique belt buckle. He approached Fukuda san a traditional leather worker and asked him to make a new belt, but instead Fukuda san taught Don how to make the belt himself which started his interest in leather work. Later on he started learning traditional leather restoration techniques .
Albannach is Scottish Gaelic for ' Scottish " , following Don's strong Scottish heritage.
DENISE & DON
Denise has made a big change in career direction after 37 years in the health industry and is now the shop manger of our Tyne St studio. She has become Don's first apprentice and has quickly adapted to the craft and contributing items both for the shop and commissions and starting to assist in restoration work.
A NEW HOME
On the 20th of Nov 2022 Albannach Crafts moved into it's new premises in the 1881 Smiths Grain store building at 9 Tyne St in Oamaru's Victorian Precinct.
On the 12th of May 2024 we closed our Oamaru store and are currently in the process of relocating to Havelock Village in the Marlbrough Sounds.