Jo the Saddler

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Jo the Saddler

Master Saddler and Harness Maker offering leather repairs and bespoke items in Wilts/Glos.

26/07/2026

✨ Before & After: Polo Boots TLC ✨

This pair of polo boots came in for some much-needed TLC, and they’ve certainly had a busy life! 🐎

They’ve had a new zip, been restitched in all the areas that see the most wear, and had a new leather chape at the buckle. Finished off with a thorough clean and condition, they’re now ready to be sent on their way for many more miles of use. 👢✨

A little repair and some careful attention can give well-loved boots a whole new lease of life! 🖤

22/07/2026

🌈✨ A splash of colour for the driving season! ✨🌈

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been beavering away with some fantastic coloured Biothane, creating some bright and colourful pieces to help driving teams stand out as they whizz through the cones and compete in scurry driving! 🐎💨

🌈 A rainbow set of browbands for a team of black Shetlands
💜 Pretty purple for a Clydesdale
❤️ And one of two underhalters for a not-so-impressed Fell Pony! 😂

It’s been lovely seeing these colourful pieces come together, and I’m wishing all the teams the very best of luck for the rest of the season. I’ll be eagerly awaiting photos of them in action! 📸🏆

You can catch them at Bowood House on the 8th & 9th of August — I can’t wait to see them whizzing through the cones! 🏇💨

15/07/2026

This morning’s job was supposed to be all about measurements, patterns and new designs… 🤦‍♀️✂️📏

Apparently Tiggy had other ideas

Safe to say I’m no longer measuring in inches… I now measure in cats.

“That strap needs to be about one and a half cats long.” 😹
He

🐾

05/07/2026

When everything falls into place… 🙌

A panicked phone call on Thursday morning:
“The pad straps have torn through… and we’re showing on Saturday!”

Cue a bit of teamwork and a lot of good timing.

✔️ The right leather was already on the shelf.
✔️ The kids were at school and preschool, so I had time to cut and prepare the new straps.
✔️ My amazing dad was free to collect the pad.
✔️ Friday’s diary worked in our favour, so I was already in Gloucestershire to strip the pad down, replace the worn straps and rebuild it.
✔️ Dad then delivered it while I was doing the school run.

Sometimes everything just falls into place.

The best part? The lovely horse and harness went on to win their class at the show! 🏆

There’s nothing better than knowing a last-minute repair helped get horse and turnout safely back in the ring.

Teamwork really does make the dream work. ❤️

Have you ever had one of those last-minute saves before a show? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments! 👇

24/06/2026

☀️ Hope you’re all surviving this heat! ☀️

With the schools shut and temperatures soaring, keeping the kids occupied and still is a mission. 🧵

Apparently keyrings hanging off school bags are the thing these days, but the cheap ones never seem to last five minutes. So rather than buying another one, I thought we’d make one that might actually survive the school year!

It’s never too early to learn that making something by hand takes time, patience, and a bit of determination—but the end result is worth it.

Who knows, I might have some competition in the workshop before long! ❤️

01/06/2026

Today’s quality control officer is conducting a thorough inspection of my work. Results pending. 🐈‍⬛

22/05/2026

From a clean work bench… to a rosette-winning finish ✨

It’s always difficult to capture every single stage of a project when you’re deep in the creative zone, focused on the making process and solving problems as you go. But I hope this video gives a little insight into what goes into creating something that is truly handmade.

Every pattern, every cut, every stitch, every adjustment — all done by hand with care, patience, and a vision in mind from start to finish.

Seeing this Belgian Draft Show Set go from an idea on the bench to proudly worn in the ring makes all the hard work worth it 🏵️

17/05/2026

Big news… the workshop is moving! 📦🔧

After 14 years in my tiny little workshop, the time has finally come for an upgrade. I’ve started packing everything up and honestly… how on earth did I fit so much into one small room?! Every shelf, drawer and corner seems to have been hiding something.

It’s been an amazing space that’s seen countless projects, plenty of creativity, and probably far more tools than it was ever designed to hold.

But don’t panic — I’m not going far! The new workshop is only 5 minutes down the road, so it’s the same work, just with a bit more breathing room.

So far it’s taken 4 car loads to move everything! Extra 💪 from Dad and James, and some very important child entertainment duties from Mum while we loaded and unloaded. A massive thank you to you all — couldn’t have done it without you.

New space, new adventures… watch this space.

16/05/2026

That fuzzy feeling inside when you get the message saying your work has arrived safely… and then the customer sends a photo from the first try on.

Seeing something you’ve spent hours designing, pattern making, and carefully crafting finally sitting on the horse it was made for is the best feeling. And doesn’t he look incredible in his new show set!

Moments like this make all the hard work worth it.

Address

Trowbridge

Website

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SoJoCreationsShop

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