Master Craftsman
Bruce DeVries
I grew up in Colorado, skiing, and working ranches. I moved to the oil fields of west Texas at the age of 22 which proved to be a life changing experience. After a few months of attending a small Baptist church, I realized I was lost and in need of a savior, I accepted Jesus as my savior and was baptized a few weeks later. The following Fall I headed to LA for Bible college to pursue a new calling as a minister of the Gospel. Five years later, and the day after graduation, I married my wonderful wife, Darla and moved to Houston, TX to work as an associate Pastor. The next few years we moved to various places in Texas and Colorado, then, in 1992, we landed in Nashville TN.
Over the last 40 years I've worked as a school teacher, principal, farrier, contractor, and leather shop owner/farmer. I have a BS in theology and a master's degree in education administration and supervision. My wonderful wife and I have two girls, both are ranchers and tough as nails. We also have two super cool grandchildren and an ornery bulldog. Through it all we have seen the unwavering faithfulness of God and His provision in innumerable ways.
I came late to the leather working party but being pretty handy with tools and working with wood and steel, the transition into leather was not that hard. I started out in a leather shop that was part of a gun store run by Wayne Webster. He let me come in on Saturdays to "help out" and put me on belts and clean up. Pretty soon I was actually helping keep up with the leather orders. We did a lot of custom holsters and belts. Unfortunately, the shop closed but I was able to buy some of the tools and materials.
Soon after I opened my own leather shop in a 15x32 portable building on our place north of Nashville. My family's support means a lot, and my folks actually bought us our first heavy leather sewing machine. In their honor, my dad's signature is actually a part of our logo. We started doing gun shows, however, I never liked production work, so I turned to custom handcrafted leather orders only. I never turned down a job because I thought it was too hard. I figured if someone else did it, so could I. I am constantly improving my skills and expanding my leather working craftsmanship. We want to make genuine leather products that will last a lifetime and beyond.
At DeVries Custom Leather we strongly believe "if you can dream it, we can build it."
Beautifully Handcrafted Leather Designs
