Tour of Gfeller Leather Casemakers, Marsing, ID & Lunch

Join us for a facility tour of Gfeller Casemakers, Marsing to celebrate the artistry and heritage of finely crafted leather goods.

Co-owner/artist Steve Derricott (former exploration geologist) will provide a history of how the company was established in 1946 by Roy Gfeller to produce profoundly functional belts, field cases, notebook covers, rock hammer holsters/sheaths for the geoscience field community. We will learn about how the customer base was diversified over time to include NASA, the military, and discerning consumers.

More recent products include journal covers, bible covers, wallets, credit card/business card holders, and cell phone covers.

The tour will include demonstrations of several of the manual steps involved in the custom manufacturing process, including:

•  Quality raw material leather selection
•  Thoughtful die-cutting
•  Precision stitching (Landis stitcher, sewing machines)
•  Riveting
•  Finishing (spraying)
•  Debossing
•  Protectant oil/conditioner application

Learn more about the "LaceMaster" that Steve developed, a professional quality tool for cutting and beveling leather.

BONUS: Steve will send an invite to the local newspaper to document our tour.
DOUBLE BONUS: Steve has talked about setting aside some swag for our participants.

Join us for lunch after the tour (~12:30 pm) next door at Alejandra's Mexican Restaurant in their private group room.