History, heathens, and a whole lot of leather.

Last weekend, we packed up the tools, loaded the car with belts, wallets, and keychains, and headed out to Rogues Fayre - a brilliant day of history, heroes, and heathens that brought the past roaring back to life. This was my first ever event and by god it set the bar high!

Setting Up in Good Company

From the moment the Grand Opening kicked off at 11am to the sound of muskets firing, across both Queen Square and the Churchyard, the atmosphere was electric. Knights in full armour, minstrels strumming away, fire breathers, falconers - it was the kind of backdrop that makes selling handcrafted leather goods feel entirely at home. There's something fitting about displaying full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather at an event that celebrates craftsmanship, history, and things built to last.

The Public Were Brilliant

Throughout the day, we had a steady stream of visitors stopping by the stall - curious, engaged, and genuinely interested in the story behind the leather. People picked up belts and felt the weight of them, smelled the rich scent, and appreciated the fact these were full grain, handmade quality products. They ran their fingers across the grain of a wallet and asked how long it would last. Decades, we told them. With a bit of care, possibly longer than some of the historical figures being re-enacted nearby.

The conversations were the highlight. Explaining vegetable tanning, talking about how full-grain leather develops a patina unique to its owner - these are the moments that don't happen through a screen. Face-to-face, conversation at its best.

Sales That Spoke for Themselves

It was a genuinely successful day on the sales front. Wallets were a firm favourite, and the Belts flew off the display - a great entry point for people discovering the brand for the first time. A few Keychains found new homes too, which is always satisfying given the craftsmanship that goes into each one.

Several customers mentioned they'd be back, or asked about ordering online — which is always the sign of a good event. New faces, new followers, and a few business cards handed out to people interested in bespoke pieces.

The Event Itself

Rogues Fayre put on a fantastic show. Highlights from the timetable included the HEMA fight demonstration, the Knight School sessions and the musket volley at 3:30pm that had everyone jumping.

The organisers clearly put enormous effort into making it a full, immersive day - and that energy translated directly into footfall past the stalls. A well-run event makes for happy traders.

All in all, Great Success!