Ayla

❤️ Some people leave a little piece of themselves behind…
An amazing old gentleman walked into my workshop and, in the gentlest voice, asked if I could replace the worn, withered strap on his watch.
He had the tiniest, kindest eyes behind black-rimmed glasses and the gentlest smile. There was something about him that immediately reminded me of my Oupa. Then I noticed the washed-out navy windbreaker, just like my Oupa used to wear, and my heart just melted. He was distinguished in the most humble way.
I wanted to make him a beautiful strap — the kind of strap I would have loved to make for my Oupa.
So I chose vegetable-tanned leather, hand-dyed it a deep, rich brown and added the little rivet details. Every part was made with a little extra love.
When he came back to collect it, he shakily put it onto his wrist. And as I watched that old, cracked watch settle back onto his arm, I saw my Oupa’s hardworking hands again.
Then he gave me the most beautiful, grateful smile.
And just like that, this wasn’t just another leather project. ❤️
Some pieces leave the workshop carrying a little more meaning than others.

What’s happening in the workshop ❤️
This weekend, I managed to have Shaun all to myself - off the golf course and into the workshop… voluntarily, I might add! 😂
I roped him into a little DIY project that has been on tge backburner for ages.
A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do… especially when the woman he loves has a leather project and a very determined look in her eye. 🤣❤️
There was leather, glue, nails, endless measurements, there was weaving, there was concentration… and I’m pretty sure there may have been a few “Michelle, are you sure this is going to work?” moments along the way. 😂
There’s something really special about doing things like this together. It’s not about everything being perfect or getting it done quickly. It’s about the time spent together, the laughs, the teamwork and creating something with our own hands.
And I have to admit… Shaun you did a pretty good job! ❤️
Hopefully this weekend we’ll get the leather weave headboard mounted onto the wall — and then I’ll definitely be showing it off! 😜

These little moments are memories I treasure most. ❤️

From my window…
Every Sunday my little window seems to give me something to think about. Today it left me feeling both emotional and, if I'm honest, a little ashamed to be human.
I'm insanely inquisitive, so when I heard something outside this morning, naturally my head popped out the window. 😂
There are two fishermen I often see here. I presume they're father and son, and they have the sweetest little dog. They park their very old, battered car outside our building and walk towards the beach with their fishing rods.
Their car is packed with what looks like bedding and clothes. I've often wondered if they sleep in it somewhere. I don't know their story.
But I've never seen them bother anyone. Their little dog's tail is always wagging, he's healthy and happy, and they seem to simply be living their lives as best they can.
This morning, someone from our building threw stones onto their car.
The son looked up and started shouting back, defending them and their right to be there. His father and their little dog were still inside.
I stood at my window watching, and it made me incredibly sad.
Because when did we become so good at judging people by what they own instead of who they are?
A battered car doesn't tell me whether someone is kind.
Old clothes don't tell me whether someone has a good heart.
Having less doesn't make someone worth less.
Maybe these two men are simply doing what they can. Maybe they fish because they love it. Maybe they're trying to put food on the table. Maybe they're just getting through life the best way they know how.
And isn't that worthy of a little dignity?
We don't know another person's story. So perhaps kindness should come before judgement.
My Oupa always used to say:
"Never be scared of an animal. It's the human you should be wary of."
I understood those words a little more this morning.
So today I bow my head in embarrassment and say I'm sorry.
Sorry to the people who have been judged because they have less.
Sorry to the people who have been made to feel small because of what they own.
And sorry to those who were simply minding their own business and were met with cruelty instead of kindness.
Maybe the one thing we humans should be using more than anything else is the ability to choose kindness.
❤️

Who doesn’t love a Viking who can bake? ⚔️🔥🥖
And what better way to complete the experience than with a Viking-inspired leather apron made for the modern kitchen warrior.
Handcrafted from rich, rugged doesel leather, this apron is as practical as it is badass — with sturdy straps, adjustable side buckles, handy pockets and a touch of Viking spirit engraved into the design.
Perfect for the baker, braai master, chef or anyone who believes good food should be made with a little fire and fury. 😜
Because even Vikings need an apron when they’re conquering the kitchen. 🛡️
Handcrafted by Ayla Leather — made with intention, character and a whole lot of soul.

FROM MY WINDOW…
My head has been everywhere. Today I did some washing and grooming, but mostly ended up procrasting. Feeling like I'm doing nothing productive always makes me a bit anxious.
Anxiety has a way of making you think about everything at once — things that happened, things that might happen, things you wish you could control.
So today I tried reminding myself of something simple:
I don't have to figure everything out today. Today I just am.
Sometimes I can just breathe, make something with my hands, and let tomorrow arrive when it arrives.
Perhaps that's enough for today.

A beautiful gift for a child stepping into a new school year, a new chapter and a whole lot of possibilities. ✨
Made from rich Diesel brown full-grain leather, these diary covers are sturdy, tactile and made to age beautifully.
A place for notes, thoughts, dreams, doodles and all the little things.

From my workshop…

It’s not always the big projects that make my heart beat faster.
Sometimes it’s the little things.
This little bookmark was made from Diesel Toffee leather, with a photo of the grandchildren engraved onto it. A little something for Grandma to keep close while she gets lost in the pages of her next book.
And I have to admit… I’m a sucker for anything sentimental. ❤️

Every order, big or small, gets the same care in my workshop.
And the little book holder? That was just an extra bit of love to go with Grandma’s gift.

Because not everything needs to be big to be special.

From My Window — Down the Rabbit Hole 🌿
It started with a completely innocent conversation with Lee yesterday.
She asked me which line on my hand was my lifeline.
And that was it. Down the rabbit hole I went. 😂
Before I knew it, I was photographing both hands, comparing the lines and getting a palm reading.
Now, do I actually believe that the lines on your hands can predict your future? Hmmm, no.
But what did make me stop and think was how much of the reading felt like me.
Independent. Creative. A little unconventional. Someone whose life hasn't exactly followed a straight line, but who seems to have reinvented herself a few times along the way.
And apparently, according to my hands, I'm not heading into a quiet little retirement either. 😆 The reading suggested that the later part of my life could actually be about becoming more myself — more freedom, more doing things my way, and creating something that is distinctly mine.
Well… I quite like the sound of that.
Maybe palmistry is nonsense. Maybe it's a very clever mirror. Or maybe our hands really do carry little stories about us.
Either way, I found myself thinking about how much of Ayla is actually just… me.
And perhaps that's what these From My Window posts are really about.
Not just the things I make, but the woman who makes them.
Curious. Easily distracted. A little bit stubborn. Always questioning things.
And apparently, very susceptible to a good rabbit hole. 🐇❤️