Peachy the Magazine September October 2015 | Page 44

Cambria Harkey
I love to learn from people. I think
that’s the most important thing we
can do for ourselves. 
Tell us about Cambria Handmade and what
makes it so special. Where did you learn
how to create gorgeous pieces out of leather?
Cambria Handmade was born from a
very pure place. I wanted to give a gift
that I knew would last for a long time
and that I made with my hands. I didn’t
have the money to buy a leather sewing
machine, so I just picked up some basic
tools, a hide and Al Stohlman’s How to
Saddle Stitch book. I taught myself over
Christmas break in college, making my
first bag that I still use today. 
Everyone asks me why I don’t use
sewing machines. It’s simple for me:

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quality is everything, and there isn’t a
stronger stitch than the saddle stitch.
Sewing machines can’t saddle stitch, so
I don’t use them. My stepfather used to
say, “Do it the right way, or don’t do it
at all.” I think he’d be proud.

Tell us about your passion for photography.
What are you currently working on?
I was living in France and came back to
Austin for a summer because my mom
was living here at the time. I found
Stubb’s BBQ. I fell in love with music
and wanted to take photos back to my
friends in France. I was an amateur photographer, so I took some film processing classes and then begged to shoot at
Stubb’s for free at night. After a couple of
years, that turned into a real gig. I was so