By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — For many, holiday shopping means an annual pilgrimage to see their favorite crafters and products; Robert and Leigh Wales of Caswell are two such artisans with a long list of repeatedly satisfied customers.
Contributed photo
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for American Leathers of Maine was held a few days prior to their Grand Opening on Nov. 1. Celebrating the new shop in Caribou were, from left, owner and artisan Leigh Wales, artisan Robert Wales, close friend Beaver Dufour and Caribou Mayor Ken Murcheson. Back row: Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Jim Cyr, Caribou City Manager Steve Buck and Director of the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce Jenny Coon.
While they’ve had a shop at the Presque Isle mall for the past three years, customers can find them in Caribou this year at their shop, American Leathers of Maine, located at 159 Bennett Drive — the building complex where the Bureau of Motor Vehicles used to be.
The shop features fine leather items, hand-made jewelry, western jackets, campsite-style gifts, and a variety of picture frames, knick knacks, cutlery and other popular gift items. American Leathers of Maine also features a variety of Native American products, like dream catchers and bone necklaces.
Leather crafting has been a hobby of Robert’s since the 1960s, but he just recently professionalized his skills in 2006. Starting with top-quality Texas-raised cowhide, Robert painstakingly tools, stitches and embosses leather goods like belts, wallets, moccasins, handbags — even cell phone cases. The shop features hand-made natural cowhide leather holsters, knife sheaths and cartridge cases, too.
Their store features a diverse selection of Robert’s products, “and I keep making more!” he said.
American Leathers also features Leigh’s handcrafted jewelry, which seems to fly off the shelves; this could be because Leigh produces highly fashionable quality adornments while keeping the costs customer-friendly.
Leigh began making jewelry back in 2008, and what started as dabbling quickly turned into a skilled trade.
Robert credits her with having a particularly good eye for making native jewelry.
While their ready-made products never seem to stay on the shelves for very long, some of their pieces never even see the shelves as both Robert and Leigh often work directly with their customers to make custom pieces.
Whether it’s a specific piece of jewelry for a special occasion, an atypical-sized belt or a wallet embossed with a photo of your pet, there’s really very little that Robert and Leigh can’t do.
Aesthetics and functionality aside, longevity is another reason why customers repeatedly choose to shop at American Leathers.
The high-quality leather items will last a decade or more, which is very important in a time when customers are looking for ways to stretch their dollars.
Some shy away a bit when they see a belt (for example) selling for $30 — saying they can get a belt much cheaper at a big-box store.
The Wales agree — less expensive belts are certainly out there. But when the cheap belt breaks, which it undoubtedly will, Robert invites the customer back to American Leathers of Maine, where he’ll make them a belt that will last 10 years, if not longer.
American Leathers of Maine celebrated their grand opening yesterday, and will initially be open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Robert and Leigh are looking into extending their hours for the holiday season as well.
In celebration of the new shop and the season, many hand made necklaces, bracelets and earrings will be on sale for 20 percent off.
Additional information can be obtained by calling 325-3366.
