About the Artist:
Libby Ferrara resides in Southcentral Alaska were she works as a Net Mender and Commercial Fisherman on a Prince William Sound seiner. In the off-season Libby is able to focus on her own business venture, as an artist, creating high-quality handmade leathergoods and jewelry out of her 11’x15’ home/studio. Stray Goose Studio began with the idea of creating a line of products that could uphold meticulous design ethics despite the challenges of a seasonal, migratory, lifestyle and limited space. This resulted in Libby developing a love for hand stitching leather as well as exploring alternative jewelry materials. Inspired by the natural world as well as a desire to live a meaningful and simplistic life Stray Goose Studio designs incorporate sustainably sourced leathers, fibers and metals, salvaged twines, and many processes to make original functional objects and adornments. As a maker Libby likes to think of the products she makes becoming so integrated with the life of the person who chooses them that they gain purpose beyond utilitarian function. She believes, that to be surrounded by beautifully useful things beautifully enriches daily life.
Leathergoods:
Materials:
Stray Goose Studio Leather Goods are 100% handcrafted from excellent materials of US origin—including the linen thread and beeswax!
High quality, environmentally safe vegetable tanned cowhide is sourced from Wickett & Craig, the oldest tannery in the country. Used in its natural color and finish this leather has been through the least recourse consuming processes possible in order to have a smaller impact on our planet.
Stray Goose Studio’s salmon leathers are even more extraordinary in their origin. Sourced from fish caught by the artist while seining in the sustainable commercial salmon fishery of Prince William Sound in Alaska, the skins later used for leather are taken from the salmon prepared to feed the crew. After the fishing season is over the reserved skins are then tanned by hand, in house, using a recipe of all organic ingredients. The result is a one of a kind leather that, despite its almost translucence, is as durable as it is beautiful.
Process:
Each Stray Goose Studio leather product is hand cut, hand stamped with original hand carved designs, hand beveled-edged-punched, hand saddle stitched with hand waxed linen and hand burnished to become a fine object that will stand the test of time. Created one at a time or in small batches, each item is inherently unique—becoming more so with use. Over time the leather will gradually conform to fit its contents perfectly and the natural, un-dyed color will darken to develop a rich patina and story that is completely yours.
Jewelry:
Stray Goose Studio’s jewelry line is made of whimsical, lightweight and unique pieces that, regardless of their untraditional appearance, have formal design principles at their core. With a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Libby Ferrara is driven by excellent craft, even when using materials and processes that cannot be finished to a high-polish. Instead of employing the raw materials she became proficient in as a student Libby now experiments with materials that bridge her other professions—Net Mending and Commercial Fishing.
When at work stripping a net for repair it’s not only with the eyes of a mender that she is looking but also with the eyes of an artist. The twines that are used to lace and sew seams in fishing-net are subjected to all kinds of use and abuse during their years of service, which makes for interesting colors and textures. Once in the studio, these salvaged twines are designed into jewelry using decorative and seaman’s knots, sometimes in combination with beadwork.
Libby also creates jewelry designs using bits of remnant handmade salmon leather, which she hand sews. These pieces are constructed using cold connections in conjunction with sustainable sterling silver and other metals sourced from the USA. Why? Stray Goose Studio strives to make a softer footprint than the traditional jeweler by choosing to not use gas torches and chemical cleaning agents. Though it may be a small difference overall it seems worth doing, and furthering by continuing to scrutinize processes and materials for other unnecessary harms. One day Libby hopes to take her studio space off the grid to make products using self-sufficient energy.
Product Care:
Leather, both cowhide and salmon, is an organic material that requires some maintenance to say strong and flexible. If well cared for your Stray Goose Studio handcrafted leather goods will last many, many years. How and when to treat your leather goods depends on their condition and use but it’s not terribly difficult or scientific! Abrasion and oxidization are the biggest causes of leather degeneration and neither of these is avoidable; you are going to use your leather and it will be exposed to the elements. You can, however limit the effects of these forces by following these guidelines:
-If your leather becomes wet (oops, you took it swimming!) allow it to dry slowly, away from any heat source (patience is a virtue…) in order to preserve its texture. Once dry, if it seems dry you can then condition it as described bellow.
-If your leather becomes dry (you forgot your wallet on the dash of your hot car while backpacking and thankfully it was still there but now its all parched…) first clean it, if necessary, and then rehydrate it with a natural leather conditioner. If you want to make your own conditioner melt 1 part organic beeswax with 1 part pure coconut oil in a double boiler. Once melted, mix together and poor into a jar to cool before using. To apply, rub just enough to appear noticeably moistened into the leather with a soft cloth.
-If your leather gets dirty (it’s life, everything gets dirty) use a soft brush or cloth to remove surface dirt. If it’s wet and dirty let it dry first. If the kind of dirty is a stain it may be possible to gently spot wash with a mild soap and water but this could just as easily make things worse. Most good things in life have some cosmetic damage and still work great—the best option may be to consider it additional character.
Jewelry needs to be cared for too! To ensure your jewelry lasts in it’s original state avoid getting it wet if components include leather or stained twines. Twines, if saturated, may fade in color (but will otherwise be fine). If your jewelry is leather see the guidelines above on leather care. The metal components holding your jewelry together may tarnish or oxidize with time. There is nothing harmful about this. However, if you prefer it stay shiny clean with a polishing rag or paper but avoid chemical silver polishes as it could damage the other materials.
Guarantee:
Stray Goose Studio strives to make excellent products that stand the test of time! To prove the level of commitment to this ideal all Stray Goose Studio products are guaranteed for their product lifetime. If it is deemed the damage or wear to your product is due to fault in workmanship or materials it will be repaired or replaced free of cost. If your product has had a good life but is wearing thin and needs repair to continue being useful Stray Goose Studio is happy to do so for a fair cost.
To guarantee a product please fill out a Contact Form (at the top of this page) with “Guarantee” in the subject line and briefly detail the problem you are having. Stray Goose Studio will do its very best to fix, repair, or replace your item in a timely manner!*
*Unfortunately, due to a seasonal lifestyle, it is not always possible to respond to all inquiries promptly. June, July and August (when the artist is living and working on a commercial fishing boat, at sea) are the hardest times to contact Stray Goose Studio. If you are waiting for a reply during these months please accept a sincere apology for your inconvenience.
Libby Ferrara resides in Southcentral Alaska were she works as a Net Mender and Commercial Fisherman on a Prince William Sound seiner. In the off-season Libby is able to focus on her own business venture, as an artist, creating high-quality handmade leathergoods and jewelry out of her 11’x15’ home/studio. Stray Goose Studio began with the idea of creating a line of products that could uphold meticulous design ethics despite the challenges of a seasonal, migratory, lifestyle and limited space. This resulted in Libby developing a love for hand stitching leather as well as exploring alternative jewelry materials. Inspired by the natural world as well as a desire to live a meaningful and simplistic life Stray Goose Studio designs incorporate sustainably sourced leathers, fibers and metals, salvaged twines, and many processes to make original functional objects and adornments. As a maker Libby likes to think of the products she makes becoming so integrated with the life of the person who chooses them that they gain purpose beyond utilitarian function. She believes, that to be surrounded by beautifully useful things beautifully enriches daily life.
Leathergoods:
Materials:
Stray Goose Studio Leather Goods are 100% handcrafted from excellent materials of US origin—including the linen thread and beeswax!
High quality, environmentally safe vegetable tanned cowhide is sourced from Wickett & Craig, the oldest tannery in the country. Used in its natural color and finish this leather has been through the least recourse consuming processes possible in order to have a smaller impact on our planet.
Stray Goose Studio’s salmon leathers are even more extraordinary in their origin. Sourced from fish caught by the artist while seining in the sustainable commercial salmon fishery of Prince William Sound in Alaska, the skins later used for leather are taken from the salmon prepared to feed the crew. After the fishing season is over the reserved skins are then tanned by hand, in house, using a recipe of all organic ingredients. The result is a one of a kind leather that, despite its almost translucence, is as durable as it is beautiful.
Process:
Each Stray Goose Studio leather product is hand cut, hand stamped with original hand carved designs, hand beveled-edged-punched, hand saddle stitched with hand waxed linen and hand burnished to become a fine object that will stand the test of time. Created one at a time or in small batches, each item is inherently unique—becoming more so with use. Over time the leather will gradually conform to fit its contents perfectly and the natural, un-dyed color will darken to develop a rich patina and story that is completely yours.
Jewelry:
Stray Goose Studio’s jewelry line is made of whimsical, lightweight and unique pieces that, regardless of their untraditional appearance, have formal design principles at their core. With a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Libby Ferrara is driven by excellent craft, even when using materials and processes that cannot be finished to a high-polish. Instead of employing the raw materials she became proficient in as a student Libby now experiments with materials that bridge her other professions—Net Mending and Commercial Fishing.
When at work stripping a net for repair it’s not only with the eyes of a mender that she is looking but also with the eyes of an artist. The twines that are used to lace and sew seams in fishing-net are subjected to all kinds of use and abuse during their years of service, which makes for interesting colors and textures. Once in the studio, these salvaged twines are designed into jewelry using decorative and seaman’s knots, sometimes in combination with beadwork.
Libby also creates jewelry designs using bits of remnant handmade salmon leather, which she hand sews. These pieces are constructed using cold connections in conjunction with sustainable sterling silver and other metals sourced from the USA. Why? Stray Goose Studio strives to make a softer footprint than the traditional jeweler by choosing to not use gas torches and chemical cleaning agents. Though it may be a small difference overall it seems worth doing, and furthering by continuing to scrutinize processes and materials for other unnecessary harms. One day Libby hopes to take her studio space off the grid to make products using self-sufficient energy.
Product Care:
Leather, both cowhide and salmon, is an organic material that requires some maintenance to say strong and flexible. If well cared for your Stray Goose Studio handcrafted leather goods will last many, many years. How and when to treat your leather goods depends on their condition and use but it’s not terribly difficult or scientific! Abrasion and oxidization are the biggest causes of leather degeneration and neither of these is avoidable; you are going to use your leather and it will be exposed to the elements. You can, however limit the effects of these forces by following these guidelines:
-If your leather becomes wet (oops, you took it swimming!) allow it to dry slowly, away from any heat source (patience is a virtue…) in order to preserve its texture. Once dry, if it seems dry you can then condition it as described bellow.
-If your leather becomes dry (you forgot your wallet on the dash of your hot car while backpacking and thankfully it was still there but now its all parched…) first clean it, if necessary, and then rehydrate it with a natural leather conditioner. If you want to make your own conditioner melt 1 part organic beeswax with 1 part pure coconut oil in a double boiler. Once melted, mix together and poor into a jar to cool before using. To apply, rub just enough to appear noticeably moistened into the leather with a soft cloth.
-If your leather gets dirty (it’s life, everything gets dirty) use a soft brush or cloth to remove surface dirt. If it’s wet and dirty let it dry first. If the kind of dirty is a stain it may be possible to gently spot wash with a mild soap and water but this could just as easily make things worse. Most good things in life have some cosmetic damage and still work great—the best option may be to consider it additional character.
Jewelry needs to be cared for too! To ensure your jewelry lasts in it’s original state avoid getting it wet if components include leather or stained twines. Twines, if saturated, may fade in color (but will otherwise be fine). If your jewelry is leather see the guidelines above on leather care. The metal components holding your jewelry together may tarnish or oxidize with time. There is nothing harmful about this. However, if you prefer it stay shiny clean with a polishing rag or paper but avoid chemical silver polishes as it could damage the other materials.
Guarantee:
Stray Goose Studio strives to make excellent products that stand the test of time! To prove the level of commitment to this ideal all Stray Goose Studio products are guaranteed for their product lifetime. If it is deemed the damage or wear to your product is due to fault in workmanship or materials it will be repaired or replaced free of cost. If your product has had a good life but is wearing thin and needs repair to continue being useful Stray Goose Studio is happy to do so for a fair cost.
To guarantee a product please fill out a Contact Form (at the top of this page) with “Guarantee” in the subject line and briefly detail the problem you are having. Stray Goose Studio will do its very best to fix, repair, or replace your item in a timely manner!*
*Unfortunately, due to a seasonal lifestyle, it is not always possible to respond to all inquiries promptly. June, July and August (when the artist is living and working on a commercial fishing boat, at sea) are the hardest times to contact Stray Goose Studio. If you are waiting for a reply during these months please accept a sincere apology for your inconvenience.
For more information on Ferrara's current art making and life visit the "notes" section at the top of this page. Stray Goose Studio can also be found on facebook (where the photo albums include images of work dating back to 2005) and instagram @straygoosestudio.
If you see something like but it is unavailable in the store feel free to contact Stray Goose Studio directly to discus a possible custom order. Creating custom work is the perfect opportunity to ensure your exact needs are met - resulting in an artwork with a guaranteed good life - making everyone happy!
If you see something like but it is unavailable in the store feel free to contact Stray Goose Studio directly to discus a possible custom order. Creating custom work is the perfect opportunity to ensure your exact needs are met - resulting in an artwork with a guaranteed good life - making everyone happy!